A Needed Respite

The week is entirely free.  The university is closed for the month of February, and the high school in which I teach is closed for the week, as its their semester break.  Even after only a weekend, I can feel some of the stress leaving my body, as I don't have to worry about classes, catching the bus, writing papers, or setting my alarm clock.  It's a welcome change.

On Saturday, a few of us ventured out near the airport to the chic Hangar 7, home to a fine collection of aircraft, automobiles, and other high-speed vehicles, which were purchased and restored by Red Bull owner and Salzburg local, Dietrich Mateschitz, who's opened his playground to the public, free of charge.  Among the displays were an original Checker cab from NYC, a Navy F4-U from World War II, a USMC Cobra, and the last produced DC-6, which was previously owned by Tito, the late Yugoslavian dictator.  It was a pretty cool way to kill an hour, and after seeing the place, we're going to try and head back for dinner one night at the restaurant within, which is home to a Michelin-starred chef de cuisine.  Granted, we'll have to save a bit before we can tackle that one!  

Seeing things like this will never get old!

On Sunday morning I braved the cold to attend the first event I attended upon arrival in Salzburg during my semester abroad in 2011 - the Metzgersprung.  This centuries old tradition always occurs on the Sunday before Lent, and has its Catholic ties, as well.  After a special Mass, members of the butcher's guild parade around the Altstadt in traditional costumes, lead by a Trachten marching band, to the square inside the Archabbey of St. Peter, which was the first monastic institution north of the Alps.  There, surrounded by hundreds of locals, young apprentices studying for the butcher trade are initiated.  First, these young men must jump into a giant barrel of water, symbolically cleansing them for their profession and for Lent.  Then, they must climb to the third story balcony where they must spin the massive banner of the guild suspended from a 15 foot pole around, 6 times clockwise and 6 times counterclockwise, to symbolize both strength and commitment to the guild.  Two of my students were among the 10 or so boys being initiated.  One of them was first to spin this banner, which, by the way, has been the same banner and pole used for this ceremony since 1849.  After 2 spins, the pole snapped and tore the banner.  Some gasped, and some laughed, but the officials were stunned and shocked - they did not know what to do, and so cancelled the remainder of the ceremony.  I've never seen someone turn such a deep shade of red before, the poor guy!  It was fun to take part in that tradition again, though.

Destroying the remnant of a 160 year old tradition: Priceless.

I don't have plans for the week, really.  A good friend of mine is hoping to visit later in the week, but other than that, I think I'll just plan each day by ear, hoping to take advantage of some of the sun that we're supposed to get.  I'll also be going skiing on Saturday with a few friends, which'll be my first time.  I'm not expecting a wild success, more like lots of bruises, but I'm really, really looking forward to it, and I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun.  In other news, the Pope's retiring.  Hasn't happened in nearly 600 years, so that's the big buzz here today.