January 28 - Salzburg Alt Stadt and Red Bull Hangar 7

We slept a bit late, and Ron didn't feel like breakfast. My single mattress on a sofa is very comfy in the morning when the room is so cold (as I leave the window open overnight) and the bed is so warm that it is easy to sleep longer than usual! Mike had been out in the drizzle to the bakery for rolls, and I went up to have semmeln (a plain roll) and Pat's grits. We then took a couple hours to start repacking our "stuff" for the return flight. NO, NO, NO I don't want to go (Amy Winehouse). I can't bear to think of it - leave me here instead of the entire month of February doing taxes, and missing the beautiful mountains. The penalty to be paid for the long trip.

We left at 11 AM and Ron bravely drove into an underground garage in the Altstadt. Mike got out and helped direct him to park in a small space. We are always worrying about the height-clearance. And the van is so big it sticks out of the space.

Walked in the Alt Stadt. The window displays of clothing and jewelry are so beautiful. Even though none of us want to buy a thing, it is interesting to look. Although, sometimes we feel tempted and know we are trying to get rid of things, not acquire more!

We stopped at a little place in a passageway - Cafe Mozartwinkel - we sat outside near heaters and were supplied with blankets. Mike ordered what was touted as the world's best nuss schneke (nut snail) - this based on the shape of the pastry - it had cinammon, apples and nuts, and neither Pat nor Mike would vote it the world's best.

Went separate ways. Surprised to find out American Express no longer in Mozart Platz - nor internet cafe. Ron and I went to Sporer to buy morillen (apricot) schanpps. Sat in back room and had a glass of wine while reading the "International Herald Tribune" (owned by NY Times). It is our English-language paper we enjoy overseas, even though we can read it on-line for free and it is about $4 per issue to buy the hard copy. There is something to be said for having a "real" newspaper while having your morning tea and coffee or afternoon wine and beer!

Met Pat and Mike at 1:30 PM at Zipfer - not my kind of menu, so I just had a small bowl of soup. Pat also had soup (potato), and Ron had a tureen of chicken soup with vegetables.

Mary's Fladli soup

Mike's rosti with egg - he rated it a 2 out of 10 - no flavor

We walked back to Sporer to buy a small bottle of schnapps. Then we went back to the car.

We drove to the airport to Hangar 7 - owned by Dietrich Mateschitz, the owner of Red Bull energy drinks. The hangar houses a collection of his "toys", including airplanes, formula one racing cars and helicopters. He has a full crew of pilots and uses many of the planes for various functions. The hangar also has two or three restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Ikarus, which features a famous guest chef every month. The architecture of the hangar is quite unique and stunning.

DC-6  in Hangar 7 (everything owned by Red Bull)

A man flew over the English Channel in this jet propulsion outfit - SCARY!

Brought over for a commercial in 1966 - has 900,000 miles on it

That evening Pat fixed penne pasta with gorgonzola sauce - trying to use up the ingredients we had on hand. It was a block we had bought for snacks and never used. It turned out delicious!! Ron made a salad and dressing to accompany it.

We watched some news on CNN and called it a night. We returned to what we dubbed our "fraternity room".