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Wow. I do look young there eh? 2001. July.
The first time is the sweetest they say….
It was a roasting hot day in July in Salzburg.
We had dumped our bags at the awesome Yoho Hostel ( Still by far the best hostel in Salzburg I hear) and headed straight to the Aldstadt part of Salzburg.
Why Salzburg? Of all the places to see in Europe…
I grew up watching the Sound of Music. Every year without fail they would show it at Xmas.
It was one of thoss ‘good mood’ movies you watch – no matter how dull a day it is, the songs and stunning scenery of Austria puts you in a really happy mood.
At the time I needed a lift
I had just left what was probably the worst summer placement-selling advertising for a magazine about the International Glass Industry. It was in London. What possessed me to take up this job ( I studied Economics btw) I do not know.
Something about living in London I guess. Pay was terrible. I had no friends in London. It was the longest and most miserable summer in memory.
So I quit. Cheapest flight was with Ryanair to Salzburg. £42 return. My best mate, Debu ( extreme right) was working in Ipswich at the time and his mate Kevin joined us for the 5 day trip.
Salzburg is everything you saw in the Sound of Music and more. A beautiful city.
Picture postcard scenery. Beautifully preserved old town. A river. A castle in the sky. The rolling green hills all around.
That first taste of beer I drank on that day was the best beer I have ever drank.
I think the picture says it all.
It was the taste of freedom, of new beginnings in my life.
The first of many memorable trips in Europe.
Fabulous picture to cheer one up on a cold winter’s day! 🙂 I love that you just dropped everything and never looked back. Really inspirational, and sitting in my office just now I can tell exactly how you felt back then. *runs away to find some cheap flights*
Aye- I had to leave that job- was eating my soul.
Mind you I learnt a lot from it.
Did you find any cheap flights? 🙂
Cool shot! could not recognize you buddy! 😉
Sorry for late reply ( shifting through 3100 spam comments in 6 weeks!)
I was a wee scrawny boy then!