First,  this is the first of several catch up posts I hope to do tonight, Internet cooperation required.

second, as I’m tired and running out of steam, I’m not going to correct every error that occurs because neither the iPad or the portable Apple keyboards can keep up with me. In short, there will be typos, I do see them but am choosing not to correct them. 🙂

thought this was funny – the other night when I wanted to order Tyrolean ravioli, I asked the waiter if it was good. With a shrug, he said, “if you like a meal without meat, then it’s good.” It was completely clear that he, a red-blooded Austrian, did NOT like a meal without meat. The ravioli was delicious.

if you know me, you’ll know that I really love Europe. There are two things about Europe, however, which I do not love. First, the smokers – they’re still everywhere. I was on a walking trail above Monchsberg yesterday, no one nearby, just enjoying a beautiful day and a fantastic view,  when a man comes along sat down on a bench along the trail and started smoking. ugh. On top of. Eagles Nest, another smoker or tow or three, ugh, ugh, ugh!

the second issue I have with Europe – the air conditioning systems are terrible. Even now, when its definitely a cool spring week and even though I insisted on a hotel with A/C, I’m still having issues because the room is very hot overnight since the cooling system doesn’t work when the outside temp is too low. Opening the windows is an option, and I did that on Monday night, but then street noise woke me up. So I can either wake up sweating or can be awake from noise… But I’m not complaining – am still happy to be here! I had asked the clerk on Tuesday morning about how I could cool the room. When she gave me the explanation (as described here), she started by saying, ” our air conditioning is not like yours in America [i think they hear about this from lots of Americans]…” I worked very hard to keep sarcasm out of my voice when I sweetly told her, “I know!” I met others from this hotel and they said they had the same issue so. At least Im not alone. Not sure that really helps but at least I know I’m not having some permanent hot flash!

Tours, tours, tours! I’ve just complete two days of them. There are pros and cons – I’ll start with the pros. Besides the obvious fact that I hate groups – encountering them, being in one, etc. – they do provide an opportunity to meet some nice people and I’ve met several so far this week. On Monday, I met a nice couple from Israel but unfortunately lost them at Untersberg – they went back down before I did – I would have enjoyed talking to them more. Then later I met a nice couple from Colorado. Tuesday I met three people from Chicago with whom I spent much of the Sound of Music tour. Today I met quite a few, including two folks from Australia, Nancy from New. Zealand, a young couple from TX, several grad students from Middle State Tennessee University (I think that was the name of the school), an older couple living in the Lehigh Valley (where I was born), a very nice couple from Oregon, and another couple from Nashville. I think I got everyone – anyway, at various parts of each tour it was nice to make new friends even if for a few moments!

more to come – am going to try to post some pics If the upload times aren’t too long.