A Slippery Weekend in Salzburg

So two weeks ago now, four people from my program and I decided to take advantage of a free weekend and a pretty wonderful train pass, and spend the weekend in Salzburg, Austria, known mostly for the Sound of Music and Mozart. The train pass we bought is called the Bayern pass, and for thirty euros up to five people have unlimited travel for a day around Bavaria (and to Salzburg). Splitting this pass meant that out total cost of transportation to and from Salzburg was only twelve euros. Fantastisch!

In Salzburg we stayed in a hostel that had the benefit of being right on the edge of the Altstadt and in walking distance of everything, and of playing the Sound of Music every night for free. Friday night, after a lovely dinner at a delicious Italian restaurant, we took full advantage of the movie, as Erwin, Heather, and I were going on "The Most Unique Sound of Music Tour" the next day, complete with a complementary Edelweiss cocktail.

Friday morning we woke up in time to leave (at 8:30!) for said four-hour tour, and when we looked out the window during breakfast we saw that it was snowing the most perfect snow imaginable. There was nothing that could have been more perfect in my mind, if it was already going to be cold and cloudy (which in February would be impossible to avoid). The snow was story-book snow, and the perfect complement to my visiting places that comprised an extremely large portion of my childhood and my childhood view of love. On the tour we saw the infamous gazebo, the abby the nuns live in, the lake and patio in front of the von trapp's house, the house that was the outside of the von trapp's house, and the church where the wedding scene between maria and the captain took place. My favourite part of the tour by far, however, was when we went to Mondsee, which is a town sentered around der Mondsee (Lake Moon). That was the town where the church was, and it's in the lake region outside of Salzburg where the opening scenes from the movie were shot. I can't wait to go back in the spring and have picnics at the beautiful lakes. Right as we were leaving a little cafe (where Heather and I split some DELICIOUS apple strudel, and she, Erwin, and I spoke in very terrible and awkward German with our adorable Austrian guide), the storybook snow began. I have never been happier. Well, that's not true, but it's up there. It was just so perfect and wonderful.

That afternoon we went to Mozarts Geburtshaus, the Dom and St. Peter's, and tried to go up to the fortress, only to find out that it had closed for the day. So instead we had hot chocolate and cakes in an adorable three-hundred-year-old cafe. That night, for Valentine's Day, we went to a baroque ballroom and listened to a four-string quartet play Mozart. It was amazing. I have rarely seen that much gold in one space, outside of the Vatican. I just kept imagining all the people in their fancy dresses that had been there before, and all the time Mozart would have been played there. It was absolutely wonderful.

Sunday morning we checked out of the hostel and then finally made it up to the fortress. The fortress was incredible. I love fortresses because they're like castles! This one had such amazing views of Salzburg and the Alps. It was absolutely gorgeous gorgeous. And while it was a bit nippy and cold, it was worth it to see the old architecture and the beautiful views. All in all, a great way to end a very successful trip. The only issue was my inability to stay on my feet, what with all the snow and not-very-worn-in boots. Ah, well. A large headache was worth the beauty of the city and the snow.

So tomorrow will be Berlin. Tonight I must finish Twilight or Heather will kill me for stealing all the books she wants to read. I also have to finish putting up pictures, now that I finally have them! My walls are still blank and I miss my friends.