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MAY 14, 2004 - SALZBURG

By Stephanie L. Johnson, sophomore soprano

While preparations for this tour began four years ago, immediate preparations began less than a week ago. The Drake Choir rehearsed for more than eight hours from May 10 to May 12 and launched our tour with a home concert on Wednesday afternoon. The audience was very welcoming, the Choir connected with one another and the music to give a passionate performance, and we all enjoyed the ice cream treats provided by President David Maxwell following the concert.

Thursday, May 13, after a short delay, we left Des Moines and headed for Chicago. We boarded our Lufthansa flight from Chicago to Munich just in time for a thunderstorm. We sat in the plane for close to an hour and took off in the pouring rain. Eight hours later we landed in the beautiful Munich airport, where we met our tour manager, Ray Brown, Seminars International President Ron Rolland, and coach driver, Manfred.

From Munich we headed toward Salzburg. Initially the landscape was not much different than Iowa (although the crop growing in the fields was rapeseed, which is a gorgeous yellow plant) but that changed shortly. We stopped in Bergtesgaten, a picturesque town near the glorious mountains, and got our first taste of the European culture. After our pit stop, there was only one thing between the Drake Choir and Salzburg, one huge mountain! As we wove up the winding roadway we caught glimpses of the view, but it was not until we reached its peak that we could fully appreciate its beauty. Unfortunately, it was cloudy, but on a clear day one can see Salzburg and the surrounding villages.

Our hotel is located in Salzburg and just a short walk from food, shopping, and the sight of the Old City. The rooms, though petite, are quite homey, with each room decorated a little differently than the rest.

We ate dinner as a group at a local restaurant and, even though some of us had now had virtually no sleep for 24 hours, we enjoyed each others company and absorbed the culture.
In the evening, we walked the streets, enjoying gelato and pastries. Most of us turned in early, wanting to be rested for Saturday's events.

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