Ah the smell of cow dung & ammonia – last week on a business trip to Kundl, Austria I learned that rural manufacturing is strikingly similar across industries and continents. Need to locate a rural factory? Just follow that prognostic smell.
Another comforting similarity was the friendliness of the locals and their eagerness to make sure all your needs were attended too. I found the Austrians warm, inviting, amazingly accommodating, and zealous to share their country. They wanted to walk me to and from the train station, watch my delight at sinking my teeth into the first bite of Mozart chocolate, tell me the best places to try Wiener Schnitzel, and teach me about the traditional style of dress.
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| Bayan with Kufstein fortress |
I also had the pleasure of getting to catch up with my friend Bayan who lives nearby in Kufstein. Bayan came to my rescue Sunday night when the only hotel in the village was closed and the factory guard couldn’t find the key that was supposed to have been left for me although that may have been partially due to my limited German and minimal charades ability. I was beginning to have visions of sleeping in a hay bale or barn. Thanks Bayan!
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| Innsbruck |
Innsbruck is an hour and a half from the factory by train. Bayan generously took an afternoon off and we walked all around the old city, visited the town’s cathedral, ate lunch at an outdoor café, and people watched in the main square.
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| Innsbruck square |
One of my favorite events of the day was watching an oversized game of chess in the park. The two men playing attracted quite a crowd and it was a lively atmosphere.
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| Chess in the park - the farther gentleman emerged victorious |
American business trips will never quite feel the same.
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