Day 14: Baking Apfestrudel in Switzerland

Austrian Apfelstrudel.

Oh come on!

Salzburg is absolutely amazingly beautiful (see photo below)! This must be blowing their minds. Today they tour the city and then lunch in Innsbruck at a tourism school (if Katie comes back deciding to major in tourism, People to People better be prepared to hire her!). And they get to learn to cook  Austrian Apfelstrudel and then eat it!? Cool beans.

When it's all said and done, they end up in Switzerland and they are staying at the quaint Hotel Schiffahrt that looks adorable - like something out of Solvang (I know, wrong country - but close!).

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As I updated in yesterday's post, Katie finally called very briefly last night and assured me her health was better and that she had been saving the last charge in her phone for the Eiffel Tower (duh). She'd bum a charge of someone for that day but she was almost out and otherwise fine. What a relief.

Then, this morning, I work up to a miracle. Oh a whim, I decided I'd check the FedEx just to see where in the world it might be (I figured parked in Vienna). But the thing said, "Delivered to Salzburg!" No freaking way! I mean no way!!! I almost couldn't breath. I quickly called the hotel and they confirmed they had it and expected Katie in a couple hours! She'd have it shortly.

Best Face EVER!

Best Text EVER!

Then I got this text. Wow. And a few minutes later, a phone call - with Face Time because they had free wi-fi! You could hear all the kids calling and texting and otherwise being excited with the connection!

Of course I busted her for being sunburned ("first time mom, I promise!) and she told me about the concentration camp and the survivor yesterday ("I couldn't swallow or eat afterward. I had a pit in my stomach that was huge. It was horrible mom"). I am so glad it went in: deep.

So I am breathing again. Relieved off the charts. I already sent FedEx a thank you letter because one woman, Carolyn Harris, did something huge to get that sucker through customs. I don't know what she did, but she did it. That and all the positive thoughts and prayers from everyone who imagined that box getting in Katie's hands.
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People to People Itinerary: THURSDAY, JULY 12: Heidiland, Switzerland

• Uncover Salzburg's hidden treasures as you explore this beautiful and historic city with your local guide.
• In Innsbruck, enjoy a unique lunch at the Villa Blanka. At this tourism school you will learn about the Austrian Tourism School system and have the opportunity to test your skills at baking your own dessert - the famous Austrian Apfelstrudel!
• Board the ship to cross the lake at romantic Heidiland and enjoy the beautiful landscape!

The fortress in Salzburg.

Day 13: Mauthausen Concentration Camp in Salzburg, Austria

Just a taste of Vienna.

Today they are off to view the sights with a City Quest checking out some of Vienna's most important sights. I expect that's probably in the morning because they then move on to Salzburg and an area just 20km away that houses the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. 

From what I read, this camp was created to work the prisoners to death. It's hard to imagine something that horrific. That people sat in a room, conceived of this and then somehow made it come true. The link below provides some background and after today's visit with a Camp Survivor, I think this will be a very meaningful visit for the kids.

It's supposed to rain and lightening in the afternoon; it's interesting how nature will conspire to make the camp even more ominous and desperate. 

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In the good old US, I was up at 4am trying to work with Customs in Vienna who have her package but won't release it without a copy of her passport. I actually thought I had a copy - I looked for more than an hour - but did not find it and sent what I had to the agent. I called to follow up and was told he had just stepped out and would call me right back. 

I waited 30 minutes and called back, at about 4:03 pm their time, and the office had closed. That was that. As I have learned with FedEx, if it ain't on the truck to Salzburg tonight, it's not gonna be there tomorrow. What's even more aggravating is there are both in the same place right this minute (Katie and the package) but I can't get them together!

I know Judy has an iPad charger that will work on Katie's phone. I have asked her to at least give Katie a charge for Eiffel Tower day. That's all she's dreamed of since she signed up for this trip nearly a year ago. I hope Judy will come through in the clutch. 

Otherwise, no other news. No photos. No health update.

This Just In: It's 10:28pm my time, 7:28am their time. Judy just sent me a message that did manage to make it through. Pretty much all I needed to hear!

I did send another message but it is still sitting in my out box along with 3 other emails of pictures that I sent last night. After unpacking and repacking everything in my suitcase I discovered a battery operated charger that my husband must have stuck in at the last minute. I'll give it to Katie at breakfast and in a 1/2 hour or so she should be able to call you. The other message said that we would figure something out. If all else fails, I will share my charger with her. Relax, it will all work out.

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People to People Itinerary: WEDNESDAY, JULY 11: Salzburg, Austria

• Continue with a City Quest including Vienna's most important cultural highlights like the State Opera House, the Imperial Palace, St. Stephan's Cathedral and many more...
• Experience a darker chapter of European History when you visit the infamous Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Learn about the history of these camps as you delve into Mauthausen's terrible past.

Day 12: Service Project in Vienna, Austria

This is the structure so far.

Today they work on the Castle Project which is all-the-buzz among historians, archaeologists and scientists. This article describes the amazing feat: building an entire castle by hand (just like the old days). 

The project sounds amazing - if not crazy - and it's thrilling that our kids get to be part of something so big. It won't be finished until they are in their mid-40s! That means they can return to this site to see the completed castle with their children and say, "Hey, I worked on this!"

This is the People to People service project. They always do one on every trip. 

Tonight they stay in Vienna (I can almost hear music when I hear that name). They will stay at the Eventhotel Pyramide in the south of Vienna. Based on the website, it looks pretty posh. They might get a little lightening and rain tomorrow.

I did not hear from Katie today. It's like having a broken TV. I sit here with no idea what's happening in the next episode. Jeez. I did manage to successfully send a converter and a charger to Austria. Now we pray it sails through customs and arrives in Salzburg on Wednesday. I am pathologically checking the tracking number so I can see what's happening. I have never been more grateful for a client onsite tomorrow -the distraction of going to San Francisco is welcome. It will help the time pass.

In the meantime, I look forward to hearing about their visit with concentration camp survivor. They are rapidly aging and dying and I so want this piece of living history to be part of Katie's life experience.

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People to People Itinerary: TUESDAY, JULY 10: Vienna, Austria

• Participate in a true People to People moment as you work with local residents on the "Castle Project". For over 30 years, volunteers have been united in building an authentic medieval castle without the use of modern technology.
• Meet and take part in a discussion with a survivor of a concentration camp (Theresienstadt). This is an unique opportunity and a true honor for Student Ambassadors.
• This evening you'll attend a performance at one of the famous concert houses of Vienna.

This is just one of the Viennese concert houses. Wow. Gorgeous.

Day 11: Folk Dancing in Austria

I wonder if they can see this castle? Wow!

It's Monday morning, and today they are off to Austria to learn how to folk dance and an evening of Medieval games.

I have no idea what that means but seems very diverse doesn't it? Hard to image those archery experts getting their folk dancing on! The temperatures don't go down much but the vibe will likely change quite a bit from the pace of Italy.

They are staying at the Burg Friesach in Friesach, Austria. I can't find a direct link for the hotel, but I did find it on the map. It looks small in a small town so probably not worth their having a website.

The trip is officially more than half over.

The hotel is the little red dot.

It's Sunday morning and Katie called in distress. It's really the first time since she's been gone. She's been tired before but I could tell when I answered, she was upset. She left her converter and iPhone charger at the  home stay.

Figures.

Nothing about that darn home stay went very well. She's super stressed about leaving it because she so wants to be able to call home once a day (and get my texts that I pathologically send all day long - she pulls them just twice a day but I can send all day long!). The father has the darn thing but their hotel is in Padua and that's kind of far from Venice.

So first had to talk her down. Hopefully she can get a charge off someone else but that's going to be a challenge since they need to charge too and their time is limited. In my alternate reality, I have been trying to figure out how to get one to her. Not. So. Easy.I even tried reaching out using social media. But their next town is kind of in the boondocks. And it's Sunday night there.

So my plan B: I can FedEx a charger to Salzburg and make a bet that it gets there when she gets there. There are no guarantees it will make it but FedEx feels pretty confident. I wanted odds but apparently they aren't bookies and they don't give odds. I am learning so much.

In related news, Judy, her delegation leader called last night and we talked briefly about Katie's infection. She was on the problem and would help Katie get some meds. Today they were able to get decongestants and nasal spray which will help tremendously. Katie said it was working.

Whew.

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People to People Itinerary: MONDAY, JULY 9: Friesach, Austria

• The picturesque town of Sirnitz also known as the "Official People to People Town of Carinthia" invites you to spend an unforgettable day in the countryside. After a warm welcome together with town officials you will get to try a very special local treat.
• Now a unique cultural experience waits for you! Learn more about the traditional life, e.g. folk dance lessons and farmers' Olympics! Afterwards enjoy a delicious traditional meal.
• Join in a splendid evening of authentic Medieval games, including archery or chavelot, followed by an opulent banquet!

I suspect it won't be anything this involved. But it sure looks exciting!