June 29

Klagenfurt.
We didn't get to sleep until late last night because of the time the bus dropped us off at our hotel, so after breakfast Sydnee went back to sleep, but I had my coffee so I set off to explore our surroundings until we had to check out (we were moving to a different place, a pension that is more than we like to spend, but less than the hotel we were staying in). I just walked around the city center, the town is so quaint, clean, and beautiful.
After Sydnee and I settled into our new location we decided to walk through the city square (to see the dragon statue that is the symbol of the town) and then on 4km to the Wörthersee (the thermal lake). When in the square we noticed a lot of activity with vendors and stages being set up, so we made a mental note to come back to that at night. On our way to the lake a fifteen minute rain pour forced us to seek shelter at this gas station, but the store clerk assured us it would blow over soon. Eventually we made it to the lake and it was BEAUTIFUL, clear, blue water (that apparently is drinkable-didn't test that out) and Alp-sized mountains behind it. There is a university near the lake and a "Europark" (amusement park) with models of famous buildings from all over Europe. The little community by the lake was so charming and we even got an offer to go out on the lake in a sail boat if it wasn't for the fact that a storm was a-brewing. Luckily we caught a bus back just in the nick of time before a torrential rainstorm poured down.
By the time we were back in the city center it had stopped raining and was dinner time, so we decided to head to the "Neuer Platz" where we had seen people setting up for the festival. A few blocks away we were already able to hear the music and people. We found a wonderful Doner Kabap stand (which are EVERYWHERE and becoming a staple in my diet) which was only €1.25 and we found a seat in front of the stage at a picnic table with local Austrians all around us.
I'm getting ahead of myself, and I really need to explain this festival. Klagenfurt is the capital of the small, southern-most state of Austria (according to our guidebook, home of a controversial far-right politician, apparently meaning there are still some Nazi sentiments in this area). It has about 90,000 people, so it really is pretty small. I would like to equate it to Montgomery and the festival to Jubilee City Fest (Sydnee thought I should equate it to the Loachapoka Syrup Soppin'). We sat through a local folk band perform (he led the audience in clapping and singing along) and a solo performer (and his attempt at comedy). Although my German is limited, I was able to understand some of the songs (which are still running through my head), some titles include: "We are all Indians" and "I was once a Casanova" (which seem to carry the same tune), also the crowd pleaser- a song I would equate to "Sweet Home Alabama" (it was about the beauty and love of their land).
I really enjoyed our day in Klagenfurt- at the lake and being engrossed in Austrian culture through their summer celebration.