A Piece Of My Heart

When I was preparing for Africa three years ago, many people said that once I had gone there, Africa would always have a place in my heart. I don't want to say that is untrue for me, but there is another place that truly captured my heart from the moment I arrived there-Austria!

I still remember when I flew out of Salzburg for the first time nearly exactly seven years ago. The plane circled back around the city and my window seat had a perfect view of the fortress and Salzach River. I couldn't hold back my tears. That city was my home for eight months and it had completely worked its way into my heart.

I have visited Salzburg and Austria once since that first flight out of the music city, but I knew I'd return again.

And now I have!! I am currently sitting in what will be my sister's and my bedroom for three weeks in the hills of Mariapfarr. Mariapfarr is a small village tucked into the mountains about two hours by bus from Salzburg.

It is as beautiful as ever! The mountains are still covered in snow and the peaks reach into the low mist of the clouds. The hillsides and valleys have bright green spring grass that any animal of mine would be breaking down a gate to enjoy for awhile.

The ride through the country by bus showed again the amazing European homes that usually reside in a cluster of others. Each home has their yards and outside areas prepared neatly and beautifully for any passerby to see a wonderfully managed property. Nothing seems ever to be out of place.

It is the beauty of the land, the kindness and honesty of the people, and the sense of wonderment and originality that keeps me coming back to Austria. A place which will always have a piece of my heart.

Traveller in Training

Seven years ago, I was in Salzburg, Austria nearing the end of my eight months of studying abroad at Salzburg College.  I loved every minute of my time in Salzburg and knew Europe would always have a place in my heart.

Fast forward through years of university, living in different states, volunteering in Africa, and having an amazing year in Portland, I have finally begun my adventure back to Austria!

I am currently on Prince Edward Island with my sister as we WWOOF here with a farm family on the island of Anne of Green Gables. Already we have experienced so much in the many hours it took to get to PEI.

What amazes me is how different of a traveler I have become since my first days as a rookie traveler and young student of Europe. In addition, it's sometimes surprising how different every travel experience is compared to past or previous adventures.

Not every flight will go right or go wrong. Not every person will be friendly or unfriendly. The weather will not stay the same. The languages will change from place to place. Your personal perceptions and reactions will be different with every experience or situation.

A traveler can only be prepared for everything by knowing the unexpected will most likely happen.  The best way to approach any and every new adventure is by expecting everything may be backwards than initially prepared for or first remembered.

I've surprised myself by how little I prepared personally for this trip. I don't mean by the packing or the planning or itinerary or any of the logistics. I mean by my personal ideas on travel. I've nearly forgotten how quickly culture changes from one place to another. I've nearly forgotten how all the changes affect how we react or don't react to what's happening around us. I sometimes feel as though I've forgotten how to be a traveller!

I love travelling and all the new things I can encounter. I love the adventure and the spontaneity of travel. I also love that travelling is an ever changing and moving classroom. Learning is the best part of travel. I am learning all over again about culture, about how to immerse into a culture and how to accept the many different traditions from my own culture.

I may have travelled to or visited more countries than I would have imagined I would have visited by this age, but I'm learning again how much more there is to know and learn.

This trip will truly be an adventure. I will be challenged again and again physically, emotionally and mentally. I look forward to all I will experience and all I will absorb and be taught. I am not an expert traveller, but still a traveller in training.

Running?

I love to walk.  I can walk anywhere for however long and just keep walking. I love walking!

Running? Not really my thing.  I've always thought about running and becoming a runner, but I never follow through truly and just go walk.

Last Saturday, June 14th, I took part in the Race for Justice event.  The law firm I work for sponsored all employees who wanted to take part and I was totally game for a Saturday 5K walk. 

Saturday morning arrived and I decided I wanted to try my legs at running for a bit.  A co-worker and I decided we'd start the race at a slow run/jog and when we decided to slow down more, we'd just finish the race walking. 

Off we went! It was a great pace we set and there we both were running.  Neither one of us run often, nor did we think we were going to even run at all that morning.  It was so much fun running with others and the route volunteers helping direct the course were so encouraging and helpful.  Next thing we knew, we had reached  mile.

Both my co-worker and I were feeling pretty good and just kept up our jog.  The route was beautiful through a really well kept residential area and there was plenty to check out as we went along.  Before we knew it we came to a point and asked how much farther, the volunteer said about three quarters of the way done! Sure enough, the next sign we saw said we only had one more mile left!

My co-worker and I were feeling on top of the world! We knew we could keep going, so we did!  We kept encouraging each other and enjoying the run together as we made our way to the final three blocks.  As we were coming up then, an attorney from work saw us.  He is a runner and had finished a while back and came to help lead us to the finish! He pushed us and helped us along and 'A' and I had a super strong finish to our 3.1 miles that morning!

We were so happy and proud of ourselves! We didn't think we were going to run any of the route, and ended up finishing the whole 5K running with a smile! It was such a great feeling! The running itself helped increase our endorphins, but helping each other through the race and the encouragement from others made both 'A' and I sour with happiness! It felt so good!

I am not ready to run a marathon, and I still prefer walking over running, but I will definitely go out more and have a good run! I'll even try to find some friends to run with to make it even more awesome! Yay for running!