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Salzburg and aunt Vera

A little continuation from yesterday.
Like I said, I’ve driven all over Austria searching for the perfect place for my aunt Vera to rest.
I’ve never had a responsibility like this before. I’ve never laid anyone to rest anywhere before.
This has been really hard.
I considered the family crypt in Prague but felt my aunt wouldn’t ever want to be underground.
I considered a lot of beautiful sites and beautiful places I know, but nothing felt right. Except Austria.
This is the place where my aunt spent the happiest years of her life and so I decided she had to be here for eternity.
I looked at Vienna, didn’t feel right, then I thought Linz, but no. Linz is too industrial and too dirty. So I drove the extra 100K down here to Salzburg and suddenly everything felt right.

On a whim, I got a room at the Hotel Sachre; a beautiful old world hotel.
Julie Andrews stayed here so I feel I’m on the right path…lol

Coming without reservations meant there was a little fuss about getting a room ready for me….lol. Three people to make a bed!

And then, early evening I walked into the town.

Hello Fraulein dirndl.
I love dirndls, don’t you? So cute.

The Salzberg shops were all closed but the restaurants were busy.

I just walked all over the town all afternoon.

I walked past the river and noticed the beautiful wildflowers.

Then I looked up and saw the alpine meadows.
Then I knew. That’s where I needed to take my aunt’s ashes.

So, feeling much better about everything, I stopped at the Lidls store for a little something to eat and went to the room, had a bit of supper…

… had a bath, and lights out.

This morning, Sunday morning, I walked out of the hotel…

…and walked on beautifully empty streets!

I walked over to the nearest, (and probably only) Sbux…

And got myself a nice, hot tea, got directions for the meadows, checked out of the hotel, and headed for the hills.

And I found it guys!

The perfect meadow.
Yes I dressed in a dirndl!
When in Austria!

Here is a 360 view of my aunt’s meadow:

I said my goodbyes to my aunt.

I opened the urn and scattered her ashes on this perfect meadow, in the gentle breeze, under the warm, European sky.
And then I placed a single white rose in the center.

There you are auntie Vera.
You’re where you belong on this lush meadow overlooking Salzburg.
You will have the sound of birds and children’s laughter near by. You will have people walking past. Happy people wandering on these hills and in the winter, you will have crisp white days and crystal snowflakes, and at night you will have twinkling stars.

This has not been the easiest, most relaxing trip so far, but the big emotional decisions are done.
I’m heading out of Austria now and back towards Prague.

Comments: 7

  • June 18, 2017
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    I have been following your journey with great interest Veronica. What a beautiful place to leave your Aunt, I would be happy there. Looking forward to seeing more of your travels

  • June 18, 2017
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    What a beautiful and perfect spot for your Auntie. Your imitation of The Sound of Music’s famous opening shot was perfect too!.My grandmother grew up in Switzerland and emigrated to Canada as a young wife and mother. When The Sound of Music came out in the 1960s, she went to the theatre six times to see it — just for that opening shot. It helped to ease her homesickness.

  • June 18, 2017
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    You are such a beautiful person both inside and out…. and the meadow, well…. I could rest there forever too! Enjoy the rest of your trip my friend.

  • Susan

    June 18, 2017
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    What a beautiful city and the meadow is a wonderful resting place. The vista from the meadow, in all directions, is to perfection. Your description of your Aunt’s resting place is beautiful.. .happy people walking, snowflakes, night sky and stars shining… This sounds ideal. Your photos show a very gracious and pristine Austria. Wishing you a safe journey back to Prague.

  • June 19, 2017
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    lovely and i agree perfect

    did you bring the dirndl? it was, along with the rose, the perfect touch

    i was just reading an article about Lidls .. apparently they are opening stores here in the States

  • June 20, 2017
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    So beautiful Veronica! The Sound of Music that is one of my very favorite movies. ?
    You definitely found the perfect place.

  • June 22, 2017
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    Such a wonderful place for your Aunt! And that beautiful rose ..You are such a special girl! Hugs x

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