Hallstatt: The End

   The next day, it was time for my parents to head back to Munich for their flight home. But we had to make one more stop before they went; Mirabel Gardens, a famous filming location for The Sound of Music. I enjoyed seeing the gardens again, because the flowers and foliage were different from September when I had first visited. 









Eating our food on the curb

Some goodbye kisses.

   And then, they were gone. A trip that had been working me into a delighted frenzy for three months prior was suddenly over, and my little slice of heaven; being a carefree kid again whose parents were going to take care of her, ended. 

   I absolutely loved having my parents here with me. There is nothing quite like sharing your experiences, your life, and your new home, with the people who matter to you most. Having my parents here was so special because on the one hand, I got to show them all of the dreams that I had fulfilled. Sharing with them was special because without them, I wouldn't have had dreams to begin with. Without them, I would have never had the guts or the persuasion to reach for them. And without their support, I wouldn't have been able to make it possible. So of course I wanted them to see how far they had brought me (around 4,500 physical miles, but a lot more then that emotionally and spiritually). 

  On the other hand, while we were together, I watched my parents fulfill some of their own dreams. My parents have dedicated so much of themselves to me and my siblings, and that's made it possible for me to realize my own dreams and aspirations, but its really a wonderful experience to grow up and to see all of your parent's years of sacrifice finally pay off. I feel like my parents finally get to rest a little and work towards some of their own personal goals and dreams and that's really special for me. I'm glad I got to be a part of making that happen. It makes me feel like, to a small, minuscule degree, I can give a little bit back to them, after everything they've given to me. 

   After they left, my aunt, grandpa, and me, headed to the small mountain village of Hallstatt. Its the golden child of Austria, and home to the oldest salt mine in the world. We were only there for a day, but it was beautiful, and so good to reconnect with them both!






Yeah, not my favorite meal.

Auntie and I hiked to the entrance of the salt mine while I spilled all the tea about Bogi.








  Grandpa and Auntie dropped me off at school and then I was truly alone, but there was hardly even time for me to linger on this fact, because in just the next couple of days, I was off again to the Czech Republic for our spring youth weekend. It only got more hectic after that. 

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