SALZBURG AND THE Sound of Music

I've been here in Salzburg for two days now, and have had a really nice time. Train trip here was fine, on time, as expected. I think I mentioned that I took a picture of the only late train, 'cause it was such a novelty.

I haven't said much about the scenery on this trip. I guess that's because it's been so consistently green and pleasant. It is beginning to turn fall, with red and gold beginning to show in the trees, and lots of leaves on the ground. Most of the train trips (and bus tours) have been thru some pretty nice country, rolling hills, along rivers, and farmlands. Farms sure spread the crops around. Corn for 2-3 acres, then row crops, then sunflowers. No huge sections of one crop.

I checked into the hostel on Monday afternoon, then wandeered around town to get my bearings. Ate super at a beer hall, with one liter ceramic beer mugs. Food was only available at stands in the hall outside the main hall. I was a bit disapointed in the atmosphere.

Back at the hostel, they were showing "Sound of Music" (what else in Salzburg?). Thy show it every every nite. Following the movie, I listened to an impromptu sing-along. Bunch of Austrian (German?) kyds singing 60's and 70's rock tunes. I made a request or two,and finally joined in. They were very gracious, considering my singing ability.

The next day, I took the City Tour which was nice, but mainly narrative, with few stops. The best stop, the last, was Hohenzolern castle, which sits on top of a hill overlooking the entire area. Really worth the trip. No hop on/Hop off, it seems. There were 5 Aussies on the tour, 4 from Wollongong, which I hadn't been to, and one from Melbourne. Some trading of stories there. Then two more AU ladies while waiting for the next tour to start.

In the PM, I took the lakes tour, which was really nice. Saw some rally nice scenery, and took an hour or so long boat trip in Lake Wolfgang, (for St. Wolfgang, not Mozart). Stopped in St. Wolfgang and Mondsee for unescorted wanderings. Both villages enjoyable. Talked to a Japanese girl while on the boat. A Non-European day.

Tday, I took the "Sound of Music" tour. (What else, when in Salzburg?) It was nice, in that it provided a lot of info on the making of the movie here. I'm an expert now, if my guide, Roman, was as accurate as he seemed. Again, not enough time at the stops. We did stop for a tobbagan run which was fun and exciting. Then stopped n Mondsee again. Since I'd been there, I just drank coffe and had a really delicious strudel. Yum!!! Four more Aussies today, Perth and Melbourne.

Back to town and mundane things like making a reservation for Viena for tomorrow, and laundry. Fun story there, getting teh right change for the machines. The office is supposed to have the change needed to operate the machines. Supposed to!! You guessed it, no change. Nearest business is about two blocks from here.

So, putting on my best "Poor Me" look, I started asking people if they could help me out. Of course, they spoke little English, and my German is limited to "Bitte" and D"anke." Those seemed to work. (Now who of you did I learn that technique from?) Not many seem to carry €.50 coins, or if they do, ony one, so it took a while accompish the deed, but it finally worked. Ah, clean laundry.

Trivia time. DWK, did you know that Von Trapp's 1st wife's maiden name was Whitehead? CE, wasn't it on the Salzburg tour that you met Loretta?

Into each day a little rain must fall, or maybe into each trip a little rain must fall. I've had more than enough figurativerain this trip. First the wallet problem, which stil continues, to a degree. Can't access some of my bank accounts on-line, and I can't get a collect call to go through. At least, even if I can't pay bills, I can sure run them up. Then I found that my mail wasn't being forwarded. Don't know where it's going. Maybe that's solved by now, I hope???

And the serious part. I've been trying to contact a relative near Vienna to follow up on a promise to visit them. Haven't been able to get through by phone and I found out why today. He's been in the hospital. I don't know what the story is, as the son I finally reached spoke about as much English as I do German. Haven't beem able to get in touch again. We'll see wwaht happens.
Time is running out, and I have to go.