Guten Tag, my fellow wanderers! Your favorite globe-trotting gnome, Oliver, here, coming to you from the heart of Austria. You may ask yourself, “Didn’t we just leave Hartberg?” And you would be correct! But my 0.0km journey from Hartberg to its very self is worth a tale.

You see, in my travels, I’ve discovered that sometimes the most fascinating journeys involve no actual feet movement at all. Such is the case here in Hartberg. I’ve been here before but decided to stay a little longer to join in the festivities of a local celebration. I embraced the spirit of the locals, danced to the tunes of traditional Austrian music, and feasted on the local delicacy, “Käsespätzle” (cheese noodles).

But the most interesting observation I made during my stationary journey was the spirit of community. Despite the language barrier (my Austrian German is admittedly rusty), I was welcomed with open arms. The locals here embody the phrase, “Gemeinsam sind wir stark” (“Together, we are strong”). It was a refreshing and heartwarming experience that brought to mind the words of the great philosopher, Immanuel Kant: “He who is cruel to others becomes hard also in his dealings with himself.”

Mentioning the overall journey, I’ve been on the road for 150 days, traveled 4551.7 kilometers by foot, and made stops at Leibnitz, Graz, Hartberg, and Aspang-Markt. A such, I’ve had the fortune of immersing myself in different cultures without even crossing a border.

In this journey of mine, I seek not just to observe but to participate. To live, as the Austrians say, “Im hier und jetzt” (“In the here and now”). And as I continue this adventure, I will carry the spirit of Hartberg with me. Because, after all, “Die Heimat lebt im Herzen” (“Home lives in the heart”).

Bis zum nächsten Mal (Until next time),
Oliver

Hartberg, a charming city nestled in eastern Styria, boasts a rich tapestry of culture and history. One of the city’s crown jewels is the Hartberg Main Square (“Hauptplatz Hartberg” in Austrian), a medieval masterpiece that encapsulates the city’s vibrant past. As I strolled along its cobblestones, I could almost hear the echoes of the poets, artists, and composers who once walked these very streets.

Another gem is the Parish Church of St. Martin, an architectural marvel that has stood the test of time since the 12th century. Its grandeur reminded me of Gustav Klimt’s golden period – ornate, profound, and utterly captivating.

As the Austrian saying goes, “Wer nicht neugierig ist, erfährt nichts” – ‘He who is not curious learns nothing’. So, embrace your curiosity, visit Hartberg, and let its story unfold before your eyes.