Sleepless in Salzburg

Because I work at home most of the time, I forget what going to an office is like. Being in this modern glass box isn’t really much different than being in any modern glass box – there’s computer hardware and wires everywhere, tan cubes full of technology nerds in cool shoes, a messy kitchen… we have real glasses and coffee cups and a dishwasher,and an espresso machine -  but no fridge full of soda. I’m waiting for a computer, for a log in, for network access, but forging ahead with the help of piles of printed docs. So far, no big surprises. I’m not expecting that feeling to last, but I’m hopeful.

My hotel is a renovated old gutshof – big farm house. Last night just after I checked in the lobby filled to bursting with Italian students, a group on their way to or from somewhere. They chattered like birds in the hallway outside my room but I feel asleep anyway and woke up in the darkness of night to see new snow.

It’s funny to be here in the big glass box that’s the office after having breakfast in the wood-paneled dining room at the hotel. The place is decorated with all the farmhouse antiques that are so typical for here – and now, three minutes later – it’s all high tech.