Salzkammergut!

So lots to report from an extremely busy night and day, and there is still more to come! So last night it was raining and raining and raining, so we did not get to go see the traditional fire dance in the square, kind of a bummer. So we went to a local pub and chilled for a few hours and afterwards we got the most amazing durum, ever. If you have never had one, it is a wrap with chicken or lamb, some kind of amazing sauce, lettuce, tomatoe, and spicy stuff. Delicious! So we headed in and got some sleep for our extremely busy day to follow. We headed out to the Salzkammergut, and let me tell you, it is extremely beautiful! We stopped in a few amazing sections of it as we went along. We went to the town of Mondsee and saw some amazing buildings and we even got to go to the mass for a bit. Then it was up the mountain, the bus winded around these sharp curves like it was nothing. It was a little nerve racking, actually. Then we got to the location we were having lunch at. And we were about 3500 feet above sea level, so we were up pretty high. It was a little chillier, so we had to break out the jackets and scarves. Then before we ate, we got a tour and learned how they made their award winning cheese. It was really interesting. We got to see cheese and different stages of ripening. We even got to meet and name a 4 day old calf! Her name is Pamina ( yes we are all opera dorks), haha, love it! Then it was time for lunch. We had this selection of cheeses and meats and veggies, along with fresh homemade bread. It was so fresh! Nothing like what we have back in the states, even the pickles they had were homemade! Also, the cows up there, just roam free, there are no fences. interesting. So then after our scrumptious lunch we headed to the next town of Hallstatt. We actually went right by Abtenau, for all of you who went on tour last summer. Hallstatt was also gorgeous. The lake was so clear! The first place we went was the bone house. It was a very interesting sight. It is this little house full of 1200 skulls, dating back to medevial times. I can't wait to show you pictures of this, it was kind of creepy, yet very interesting all at the same time. After that we went to check out a waterfall, and it was also a sight to see! Then we had about an hour of free time. Of course I wanted to check out all the local shops, even in Europe, I love a good bargain when i see one! I got a few gifts for some lucky individuals back in the states and few things for myself. I got a small container of local salt, as that is what this entire region is known for! And Matthew, you are going to love your present! I also got a ton of pictures of the local cows for you! They are way different then in the states. They were also having this pirate day for kids, so everyone in the town was dressed as a pirate. It was quite a sight! After that we headed back to Salzburg, and on the way back we got to see the headquarters for Red Bull. Did you know that it was based here in Austria? Cause I sure didn't! Anywho, so now i'm back at the dorm getting ready to go to the opening night performance of Jederman at the Domplatz. It's a morality play and is supposed to be one of the highlights of the entire festival. I will blog tonight about it, but i'm about to try my hand at cooking some of my purchases from Billa, wish me luck! Also I did find out about the competition today and unfortunately did not place. But i'm so proud of what i did put out there and wouldn't really change a whole lot about my audition. It was a great panel audition experience as well. I have so much to continue working on, and I just have to have faith that in the next ten years everything will come together, to produce the whole package. I know what i need to work on, and i will continue to put everything that am into my art. Without music, life would be a mistake, and that is a motto I live by everyday. As well as there are people that will like you and people that will hate you, and you just have to keep going until you find the people that will love you! Well I'm off to cook dinner and go to the show, ciao!

Living the Dream,
Lauren Frick