Day 21- June 8

 (my favorite)

 (diva pose on the crystal studded couch)

 (Olivia and I at the berry farm)

 (our Austrian band and Matt)

              Today was our last full day in Austria, and it started with a professional visit to the Swarovski crystal company.  First, we arrived at Haus Marie Swarovski, the company’s headquarters.  There, we learned the history of the Swarovski family and how the company grew to become the organization that it is today.  Then, we had the privilege of listening to Swarovski’s director of brand management, who discussed how the company creates and projects its desired brand image.  Last, we drove a few miles down the road to visit Swarovski’s Crystal World, an art museum/fun house/store.  The museum part was very strange.  Words cannot really describe it, but I will try: There were fifteen themed rooms, all of which incorporated crystals and art, and they seemed to be created to play with your mind.  After going through the museum, we had an opportunity to shop in the Swarovski store and I had fun looking around and trying on different pieces of jewelry.

            After Swarovski, we all headed back to Innsbruck for a quick lunch.  I had a pizza from a shop down the street from our hotel, and then Jessica and I went to H&M because we had not yet had a chance to go to one, even though we have been in Europe for three weeks now!  H&M is a clothing store that carries new, popular fashions that are very inexpensive.  I had always heard about these stores but had never gone to a city that had one.  I ended up buying a skirt, then we had to hurry back to our hotel for our next group activity.

            The whole group loaded the coaches a again, and this time we went to a farm where the owners make jam, jelly, and alcoholic products from the fruit that they grow.  By this time it was pouring, but that did not stop us from going outside to see the fruits growing in the fields.  Then we went inside the store and had the privilege of tasting freshly grown strawberries, as well as delicious jams and jellies.  We also listened to one of the owners of the farm and store as he explained in detail how they make their products.

            Because it was our last night in Austria, the whole group went out to have a “festive Austrian dinner.”  The food was delicious, and it just kept coming out!  Platter after platter of meat and potatoes was passed around our table and enjoyed by all.  I especially enjoyed the apple strudel for dessert- the vanilla ice cream on top may have been the best ice cream I have ever had in my life.  As soon as everyone was stuffed, our entertainment for the night began.  We had the pleasure of listening to a small Austrian band, complete with a string bass and accordion, play traditional music, yodel, teach us a few dances, and embarrass many of our friends by calling them out to come up and join them in their songs.  Towards the end, many people started dancing- even our professors, which was quite an entertaining sight, to say the least.

            After a few hours of music and dancing, we were supposed to have a traditional lantern walk, but that was cancelled due to the rain and soggy ground.  Instead, we took a double decker coach back to the hotel, and then headed up to our rooms to repack our suitcases one again.

            Tomorrow we travel to Germany!