What a funny town, Salzburg. Spring has definitely sprung, and everything is just unbelievably beautiful. The hill where the dollhouse is covered in Edelweiss and pretty blue wildflowers, and the view is topped, of course, with snow capped Alps in the distance. So scenic, yet so lonely.
The big Easter Festival opened last weekend, and Eva said her premiere was a great success! The town is really buzzing about this week, I think more people have arrived for both the festival and Easter holiday. Supposedly over here it’s not uncommon for people to take a whole week to celebrate Easter! So different from home where you get an extra day added to your weekend, if you’re lucky.
I’ve been battling with a really terrible case of homesickness…and I predicted that it would happen right about now. My German has improved so much, however it’s still not good enough to really talk to people and make friends. So I haven’t made any friends, and am really really missing the ones I have at home, not to mention my family. I also miss being comfortable in my environment, and I’ve realized that that is the thing I get most homesick for when I’ve been homesick before. I miss knowing exactly where I am in town, how to get anywhere from anywhere. I miss knowing how things work and where the grocery store is and where the closest coffee shop is, and I miss running into familiar faces. I also miss the comfort of MY house, MY bed, MY backyard…but I suppose that’s all normal.
I have to keep reminding myself that I’m in the midst of a much cooler opportunity now, by putting myself out in the world, out of my comfort zone. I know exactly what would happen to me in Raleigh, NC, and I have no clue what’s going to happen to me here. Also, I have to keep telling myself that Raleigh is ALWAYS going to be there for me when I’m ready to come back to it. And, what would I be doing if I were in Raleigh? I would be waiting tables, most likely working on some local theatre production, whining about some boy du jour that doesn’t love me….etc. There’s nothing wrong with that, however it is SO MUCH more intriguing that I’m over here in the middle of this incredible international festival, meeting all of these professionals.
Ha! Speaking of professionals, the other day I was with Eva backstage at the theatre, and Sir Simon Rattle, the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic walks by. I have met him once before when I was with Mucki, and this time he remembered my name and greeted me with a hug and two kisses on the cheek like I was an old friend!!!! SIR SIMON RATTLE!!! I almost passed out. I also, more importantly, was overwhelmed with how lovely he was towards me, so down to earth and friendly. A star conductor like him could TOTALLY be such an asshole, but he isn’t, and I think that’s wonderful.
I’ve been going hiking every morning, because it’s BEAUTIFUL and there are all kinds of trails around our house. That’s my time to really meditate, and I also pretty much always vocalize and sing during those hikes. At first I was a little self conscious about the singing, but now I just don’t care and sing full out every morning. Surely there’s been some local who’s seen me and gotten a kick out of it.
I have been very lucky to spend some time in this corner of the world. I hope I can come back and maintain my appreciation for it.
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