The Hidden Path (WINNER OF THE BEAUTY AWARD for Spiritual)

Who Is Cold?

Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.
– Jamie Paolinetti

I loved fireworks. I didn't know why, I just did.

And I was not the only one.

Obviously!

Judging by the masses of human beings all around us, I dared assume that probably half of Salzburg's population would agree with me.

Although quite a few of those people, wrapped securely against the biting cold in coats, caps, scarfs, mittens and heavy winter boots, might have been dragged there against their will. Maybe by means of peer pressure, maybe because of an over-zealous other half, maybe because the victim had been baited with the prospect of a party later on, or simply because that's what you do on New Year's Eve.

Whatever everybody's reason, it must have been convincing enough. After all, both pathways running along the river Salzach were completely crammed, as well as each and every bridge.

It was a few minutes before midnight and our little group had to almost hold hands, in order not to be torn apart.

A few hours earlier, Beni had picked me up to meet with the boys in our usual Café. We had left at about 10:30 pm to drive together to Salzburg, where we had met Sofi on one of the main bridges.

My parents had reluctantly agreed to let me celebrate with my friends, as they had been a bit wary of all the drunken people and the icy streets.

The fact that Beni's aging VW beetle barely managed to speed up to 100 km/h (downhill and with tail wind) had fortunately helped ease their fear. As had our solemn promise to drive back home right after the fireworks and before everybody got really intoxicated.

But for the time being, we were all eagerly waiting for the rockets to start flying. Mist rose in little clouds from our mouths and noses every time we spoke or took a breath and Sofi and I were jumping up and down to keep warm. Not that I was not prepared – oh, no! In addition to my usual layers of clothing, I had added thin sweat pants to fill up the space between my nylon tights and my jeans. I was wearing woolen socks on top of some thin cotton ones and additional sweaters consisting of various materials. Two pairs of gloves protected my hands, a thick scarf my neck and and part of my face and a woolen cap my head. I could hardly move and felt like an astronaut.

What? The cold does have a way of seeping through your protective layers after a while and this was a feeling I definitely did not appreciate!

Beni, as usual, seemed to be completely unfazed by the unfriendly temperature. A heavy, dark blue sweater, jeans and warm boots was all he had put on to shield himself from the cold.

The rest of his body – namely hands, neck and head, were bare to the elements.

I shuddered just looking at him. I swear, that boy must have an internal heater hidden somewhere!

"So. . ." Sofi said hesitantly, her voice a bit breathless from all the jumping. I turned away from admiring the view of the river and castle, to focus my attention on my friend. Only to discover that she was not addressing me. She was trying to talk to Marti, who had the decency to look slightly uncomfortable.

"Ahm. . . how is everything?" He responded, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket and raising his shoulders awkwardly.

"What are your plans for the ball?" Sofi blurted out, rubbing her mitten covered hands. "You know. . . will you still be my partner for the opening ceremony?"

"Uhm. . . I guess so. . . "

Oh, the ball! I had completely forgotten about it. As obviously had Marti, judging by his suddenly rather stiff posture and wide eyes.