Journey to Salzburg

24.09.05

When I arrived in Buchs a few days ago, I checked into the trains to Salzburg, Austria and found that the floods had caused my route to be down, even still. My trip would involve switching to bus and back to train, and put me in Salzburg 2 hours later.

So because I was awake and ready to go by 9 am, I decided to leave 2 hours early so that I could arrive at the same time. On the bus I met a young man by the name of Benedikt, who is studying law in Innsbruck. He pointed out many of the places where the floods had affected Austria, and shared with me about the provinces and capitals, the 25-year old 13 km tunnel we went through, and many other facets of Austria.

We were to change back to a train in Ötztal, but due to some poor communication, we ended up waiting for some time. A local bakery + coffee house provided a simple lunch/snack. I also found out that visiting the Canadian embassy in Vienna for a student visa should present no problems, should I determine to continue school for more than one term.

Despite the 1.5 hour layover, the train I caught was actually the one on my schedule, had I instead taken a bus up to Landeck as suggested. Still set to arrive in Salzburg at 3:30 pm, as my original reservation.

I asked at information about an annual VORTEILScard for discounted train travel in Austria, but apparently it costs 99 euros for someone as old as I. The man patiently explained to me half-fares and how the second person could travel at half-fare even without a VORTEILScard. But as it turns out, this only applies if one person pays the full fare.

I received a free temporary VORTEILScard, which lasts to the end of the month. Unfortunately, I am unlikely to use it, as I’ve already bought my tickets and will be in school next week. However, it is all useful information that I can pass onto my classmates.

While waiting on the regional train from Salzburg main station, a man with his arm in a cast came and sat with me. He couldn’t speak and only made some noises and hand actions. I couldn’t understand much of what he was saying, other than to offer him some juice to drink. After he left, I realized that I must be like that to people when I don’t speak their language. Just making strange noises and hand gestures.

Haus Linder is a pretty nice bed & breakfast, nicely situated out of the city. Because we are such a big group, we were split across three houses. Without Internet access, and uncertain how to contact everyone, some of our well laid plans didn’t work out. But we still enjoyed getting to know each other, a variety of pizzas, playing “Ultimate Uno” and talking into the night.