A leap into the unknown

by Alexandra Talochkina (Russia)

A leap into the unknown Austria

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One cold January I decided to spend my birthday in Austrian lakelands near Salzburg. I did not have much time and went to the closest small village called Sankt Gilgen to explore what this place has to offer. As you may know, this area is famous not only with gorgeous Alps and emerald pools, but it is also a homeland of Mozart. Every local can show you the house where the composer was born and tell you a fascinating story of his life. Though they will not tell you the truth – Mozart had never lived here. Anyway, this time I was more interesting in a breath-taking landscape and trotted to the cableway which was so old-fashioned and ramshackle at first sight that it definitely had seen Mozart if he ever spent his days here. I was almost the only visitor that day and felt a little bit nervous about my lonely journey to the peak. A worker assured me that everything is under control and I would be safely locked in the cable car. My trip started delightedly – I stared at the fairy-tale looking houses behind, green waters of the lake, surrounding mountains covered with winter forest and felt excitedly as a leap into the unknown began. But after 5 minutes I got into the thick fog. The time went but all I could see were abandoned cabins on their way down like in some horror movie. The wires groaned and creaked on a blowing wind and land seemed so distant. I was freezing and panicking in my shabby refuge and wanted to be anywhere else, even back in Russia. Suddenly a German word “wurst” appeared in my head and floated to and fro. I was surprised as I forgot German long ago. I decided it was a sign and if I ever return from this tour I would buy myself kilos of incredibly perfect Austrian wurst and eat all this at once washing it down with such a wonderfully hot gluhwein. This thought warmed me. I looked up and saw a stunning snowy peak glowing with sunshine and hope came to me again together with the joy of life and happiness of being on vacations. I took a deep breath of the crystal clean air and started one more journey into the unknown.