MSI Press Blog

  Seefeld Many years later, I took that train ride in reverse, as far as Seefeld. Once again, the east wind had blown me into Garmisch, and I had a day off. I contacted Johanna. Where could we meet somewhere between Innsbruch and Garmisch? Seefeld! So, once again I looked out onto the large Alpine meadow with Wildsee, a lake, on one side and the town of Seefeld in the center. Johanna and Franz met me at the train station, and we leisurely walked to the lake. Being with Austrians, I expected to walk—a lot. The walk brought back the leisurely, healthy, so-very-desirable pace of life I have experienced in Innsbruck. On the way to the lake, we came across a small, picturesque chapel in the meadows, Seekirchl little lake church, also called the Heiligkreuzkirche, or Church of the Holy Cross). Original construction in the 17th century explained its baroque style, featuring a distinctive round shape and dome quite unusual for Tyrol. The interior of the Seekirchl (Holy Cross Church) in See...

  Although I have only visited a couple of times, it feels as if I have been there much more often. There is a comfort in Austria for me—I speak the language, and I grew up in the mountains, though nothing quite like die Alpen . Austria is a country of soaring peaks, shimmering lakes, and villages that look as though they were painted into existence. Life had a commonsense approach, one that allowed time for people to actually "live" and enjoy their time--Volksmarch on a daily basis; time for casual meetings of friends a small cafes for apfelstrudel and bier [beer], or my favorite, Johannisbeere [black current juice]; and an evening at a concert hall for heavenly music.    My connection to Austria is not only through its language and mountains, but through friendship. Johanna—a name I use here since she prefers not to be identified—has been my anchor there. I stayed with her during visits, and she once came to the USA, where we scooted down into Mexico for a day. 👭 The ...