From Salzburg, we took a Postbus to St. Gilgen.
The main purpose of my trip to Austria was to ride a Postbus. The bus line still bears the postal name, but no longer carries mail.
St. Gilgen is a village of about 4,000 people on the shore of Lake Wolfgang.
Near the bus stop, there was a Post pub. There was even a Post Street. I was surprised to find a Hotel Gasthof zur Post — the Post Inn.
As early as 1415, beer was served there. When the postal coach service began in 1805, the inn became a postal coach station. It was like a combination of a post office, a postal coach station, an inn, and a restaurant all in one.
Mail was handed over there, horses were changed, and passengers could rest or stay overnight. The station also managed the operation of the postal coaches.
The last postal coach service ended in 1894, when the railway took over. I had a cup of tea with rum there.
There was a post horn logo on a clothing store near the old post inn.
“Do you have international stamps?” I asked.
“Yes. Four stamps for €8.” “Cash, please,” she said.
I handed her a €50 bill. “Do you have anything smaller? Actually, our postal shop is closed today.” I counted the coins in my wallet. Fortunately, I had enough cash with me. I was able to buy the stamps! Since I was just staying in Austria for the weekend, I had thought I wouldn’t be able to buy any Austrian stamps.
The woman’s name was Iris. I hesitantly asked, “May I take a photo of the counter?” She didn’t mind at all. Iris was so warm. I’m so glad I came to St. Gilgen.
On the way back, the Postbus was a slow local bus and almost empty. I was happy to have such a peaceful ride.
