It had become cold and windy and snow was on the way when we stopped at a truck stop in Dresden. Large snow plows pulled in as we grabbed a few snacks and souvenirs and had a much needed toilet break. We were all tired and ready to get back to the base, but outside the Italian drivers were having trouble starting the bus. They managed to tell us it would be a while before we could leave so we all found a table, ordered some German sausage and chatted about the day. This was my third night without a bed and I plonked my head on the table and drifted off the sleep. Hours later we were still waiting and a German mechanic arrived. More snow plows came and a blizzard was heading our way. The ladies called husbands and anyone who they thought might be able to help. The bus tour operators were not available and we were on our own. At 3:00 a.m. on Sunday morning it was decided that we would book in to a small German bed and Breakfast for a few hours sleep while another bus was found to take us back to Italy. We left the truck stop in several mini vans and arrived at a small hostel which had been closed and had sparse accommodations. The landlord was less than happy to see us and we were given beds with a few blankets. We did at least get a few hours sleep and in the morning we awoke to a snow that melted when it touched the road. The sun was shining and we went for a short walk before eating a continental breakfast and waiting for the new bus to arrive. It was now nearly 1:00 p.m. and we were more than a few hours late returning to Italy. Our next stop would be dinner in Salzburg, Austria. Home of the Sound of Music and the Von Trapp Family, but by then the snow was falling in lumps much like packing popcorn and we were still five hours away from the base.
