Stranded in Europe Day 2

Since all I have is time on my hands figured I'd should post something.  Came to Austria a week ago (04.14.10) to attend the HEEP Area V meeting the 15 & 16th and then spend the weekend with the group touring and taking in the sights, sounds and local beverages.  Then a volcano happened in Iceland which put a real damper on things.

The meeting went well.  All the American presentations were well received and in my opinion some of the best and most interesting ones I've seen in Europe or America.  Even mine on Social Media generated a lot of conversation between  the Europeans and our group as well. The Meeting ended Friday evening with a gathering at the local Bier Garden (will post pictures later).

Then the "fun" began since most of our group was leaving early Monday morning we still were not to concerned about the volcano but things were beginning to weigh on the group.  Saturday the group took the "sound of Music tour and a trip to a salt mine outside of Berchtesgaden which was fun, but also involved a lot of bus riding.

By Sunday morning most of us got concerned as flights were being canceled  right and left.  A few of or group had planned to stay an extra week and tour Germany and Italy so they went on with those plans.  The rest of us started a stress inducing limbo.  Four of our group stayed in Salzburg to await flights out (I plan on leaving Saturday by either plane or train)  to Frankfort to catch a Sunday flight that I hope will go.  Others are in Vienna, Amsterdam, and Zurich trying to get connections etc.  Two of our group((Ray &Pat) got out of Zurich yesterday on a standby flight (stood in lines for 6-8 hours).  The rest of us hope to leave this weekend.  Right now it looks like that will probably happen.  As long as the airspace continues to clear and there are no other major erruptions. Keep your fingers crossed and say a prayer or two for us.

Since phone service here has sucked thank god for google chat and my upset, but loving wife who has been able to get my flights redone and credit cards taken care of.  One other note is the netbook I brought has been a god send.  From now on I won't be traveling without one. It has made a huge difference in access, peace of mind ease of cmmunication with home.   More later so stay tuned...