Flight to Zurich
Boston to Zurich via Swiss Air. Decent airline. Falling asleep early during a plane ride = one of the best possible scenarios on a flight second to falling asleep before the plane takes off. Awoken by flight attendants carting dinner carts down the narrow aisle. Not hungry. Not hungry at all. Knowing how much they charge for in-flight meals, I had to be polite. Chicken or veggie tortellini? Choose the lesser of two evils. Best part of the meal? The not-so fresh, warm bread. Butter? No, sometimes in life you have to make sacrifices.
Nice! Sweet entertainment system with one screen and remote per passenger. Extensive options including audiobooks, music channels, music CDs, games, recently released movies, and flight info. Who Wants to Be A Millionaire. Don’t know any British pop culture. Next. Kings of Leon and The Killers—nice. Ohh! Zombieland! Movie is hilarious! This is awesome! What the hell?! Pilot rudely shuts off entertainment system as the plane descends. (40 minutes before we actually touched down. grr)
Layover in Zurich
Not as cold as I had anticipated. Deceived by snow laden ground. Then again, I didn’t go outside. The number one question that went through my mind as I watched men with handbags and skinny jeans: “European or gay?” Alcohol is surprisingly expensive in the airport store.
Flight to Munich
Jet is extremely small like the Honolulu to Hilo flight. Leather seats! We leave the earth’s crust 10-15 minutes late. The pilot pays no reguard for speed limits and we arrive in Munich on time. What is a jet’s top speed? Oh, another chocolate just for riding Swiss Air? Sweet.
Van to Salzburg
Hauled my suitcase off the serpent conveyor belt. My lock is gone. Oh well. Follow signs that resemble vans. Eye contact with a pretty blonde in uniform. What is she pointing to? Damn it. Bags are getting searched. (NOTE: Don’t look airport security in the eyes.) Security asks how much cash I have. “200 USD…Oh, by the way, do you know where the ATM is?” No reply…Ok, keep your mouth shut and empty your pockets.
Get through security alright. No ATM in sight. Headed towards doors leading outside. *slight panic* Need Euros! I concede. Exchange one Big Ben for 60 Euros. Rip off. *Takes two steps* Damn, ATM is hiding behind the currency exchange booth. Take out cash.
Find van booth, tell him “Salzburg”. Unfold and show him confirmation sheet. Driver is on his way.
Long haired dude in burnt orange, down vest arrives. “Schloss Leopoldskron?” he asks. Is that the one?I think so “uhh yeah”. Orange vest kindly takes my luggage and aggressively zips away. I follow. Damn this guy is moving fast. Dude is speed walking away with my luggage. (NOTE: Learn name of the palace.)Half a dozen people waiting around, bored. Sorry for holding everyone up. Step into van. Driver drives like a maniac on speed. Surprised by the number of GPS units I see on the road. Don’t fall asleep, mustn’t spoil tonight’s sleep. Sky is overcast, looks gloomy, looks like smog. Reminds me of China…bleh.
Wake up in Salzburg. Damn. Granola bar Yum, almonds. How fast is this guy going?! Surprised by the narrowness of the streets and Dude’s adroitness and avoidance of vehicles.
Arrive at palace. Gates open like Angela described. The palace is pink? Lug my luggage inside. Warmly greeted by Cheryl and Karen, receptionist. Cheryl leads me to her office. *Talk*
Climb stairs to room. Caught off guard by the simplicity of the room. Unpack. Repack. Notice how low the bed is to the floor. It’s good for you.
Go downstairs to email family.
Ask reception to call a taxi. Out the door, into taxi. A Mercedes, what a nice car! “Train station”. Concerned that Cheryl mentioned there was a lot of work for me when I get back. Keep eyes on fare meter to make sure I’m not getting ripped off.
12 Euros later, arrive at train station. 6:05. Hurry!! Power walking to catch 6:05 train to Vienna. Leap onto train. Search several cars for an open seat.
Don’t fall asleep this time! Read about Vienna in travel book. Purchase VORTEILS card + Train ticket = A lot of Euros (51E). Woman next to me gets off. Pull her salami and cheese sandwich wrapper from the trash to read ingredients. No English. Damn. Won’t be able to read ingredients or anything else in Europe.
Ew, it’s snowing out.
Arrive in Vienna
Relocate wallet to front pocket. Watch for pickpockets. Where the hell am I going? Pull out guide book. Attempt to decipher map. What the hell…? Ask kebab man for directions.
Arrive at Hostel Ruthensteiner (after a wrong turn)
“Hi, we have reservations for tonight…Matt White…He isn’t here yet?” Crap.
Exhausted. Sleep or Drink and wait for Matt? Drink.
Meet friendly English bartender. Beer. Delicious. Beat him in chess. Hope Matt gets here tonight. Talk to Brazilian girl. Beer. Bathroom. Relief.
Matt!!! Thank God! We made it!
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