SALZBURG, Austria It’s t-shirt weather during the heart of winter in this Alpine city. The 6,470-foot peak of Untersberg rises up only a few miles from the city center, reminding this visitor that despite the balmy weather, the majestic Alps are not far. While snow-capped, it’s the only glimpse of snow I’ve yet to have in the first week of my stay in Austria.
It was not always so. Salzburgers tell how last year, more than a meter of snowpack collected on the streets this time of year. Outside the window, I see nothing but green.
The first day, I was introduced to one of the chief editors who gave me a rundown on the paper’s history. It’s a family-owned affair, controlled by the descendants of a pressman who was approached by a U.S. Army general after the Americans entered the city. The general had reportedly found the man in the pressroom and barked, “Who’s in charge here?” and when the pressman stepped forward, was ordered to begin printing a new newspaper to replace the Nazi organs that had been the only game in town since the Anschluss in 1938.
My command of German being limited, my usefulness to this newspaper has yet to be proved, though I’m working on it. I’ve spent most of my time doing research and trying to line up interviews for my own propaganda organ back home, the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
I’m bivouacing in a small guesthouse on the edge of the city. The only thing between my lodgings and the newspaper is the Stiegl brewery which spews the wonderful smell of roasting hops and some of the best beer in Austria. When the director of the Kratorium, one of the organizations that organized this junket, gave me directions he said, “You simply go around I said around! the Stiegl brewery”.
So far I’ve been able to negotiate my way around the brewery without fail.The landlady seems friendly enough and I was thrilled when I was told she had a bicycle for my use. My enthusiasm dimmed a bit, when I saw it: a purple girls’ bike about three sizes too small for me. Still, I cut a pretty imposing figure as I pedal the medieval strassen and gaten in the heart of the old city. It’s all in the facial expression; doesn’t matter what ya ride as long as ya get the Hell’s Angel grimace down pat.
Perhaps I give myself too much credit.
Jaco out
18 responses to “Striking a deadly pose on a purple girl’s bike”
*helpless laughter at mental image*
Pictures please! You on that bike. 🙂
Hey Jake. Any other pedallers along the straben and gaben? Or is it a critical mass of one? By the way. My grandmother is from Austria, so if you see anyone with a large nose and as funny as I am, please give my regards. Eric
Hey hey!!!
Canada loves ’em stories! keep em coming!
Cant wait to see the shot on them wheels!
Shamous O’Maley!
Still love ya, Baby! And like the rest, where’s the pic? Hugs, Karen
R Lemon directed me to this site. I have printed your archives and am deeply absorbed in the frank and unpretentious record of your myriad destinations.
Thanks for living adventures worth writing and writing them so as to make them worth reading.
Is there any talk of trying some weather modification?When it suddenly heats up unseasonally here we get the “chem trails”Stripes in the sky anyone?
There is a mean black Stump Jumper waiting in California.
I doubt you give yourself too much credit
What do your coworkers think of the bike? By the way, is that a paperboy fellowship you received? Must be tough delivering the Sunday paper without a decent basket.
Ooh Jacup, look at you two bikes!
I am ready enjoying your dispatches – keep ’em comin’
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Well, I think it does matter what you ride. One might take that Hells Angels grimace for distaste for your mode of transportation instead of a macho look. Hopefully your German and your transportation will improve. Salzburg is a lovely city; I have many fond memories of it, especially the flower market and the ooompah band playing on Saturday mornings.
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