2 days in Salzburg and I've been to 3 places very close to my heart;
1. Mozart's birthplace;
2. Mozart's residence (though it turns out he wasn't a home body and preferred to travel the continent) ;
3. The Fraulein Maria bicycle tour.
The pictures about the latter say it all; I had THE BEST EVER day today. Not many (until now) know of my closet obsession with the Sound of Music, but here I am, coming face to face with Salzburg ! We did the bicycle tour in the morning then the salt mine tour (which was also really interesting, but didn't rate in the grand scheme of things).
I'm conscious that the majority of my readers aren't as obsessed with the Von Trapps as I, so stop reading now, have a nice evening!
For the rest; We rode our bikes for 3 hours and saw the gazebo, got to spin in a meadow, tried to break into crypts at the abbey, saw the folk festival ampitheatre, saw the front (and back) of the house, the lake where they fell in out of the boat, rode bikes around the marketplace, the cathedral, the list goes on.....
Some things I learned today that I didn't know:
1. The real Von Trapps fled via train to
Italy, the day before the Austrian borders closed ( the mountains behind Salzburg are the border with Germany, so not an ideal evacuation plan);
2. They made money by singing in folk festivals,touring around Western Europe for a few years before WWII really got going. Then they emigrated to USA and settled in Vermont. Descendants still live in the USA.
3. There were 11 children (2 died) ; Maria and the Captain had 2 children together
4. The "real " Maria and her daughter and grand daughter appear in the film in an early scene when Maria is walking from the abbey to her new job
Soooo many other facts which I can tell you in person, for those who are interested.
A special thanks to Kirsten who kept her sense of humor all day and captured the moment for me.
Seriously folks, I'm living the dream. This has been one of the best days ever !!!!
Jenny- I wish you were here with me today!
Trent- I wish you were here too, but you'll be glad you weren't ! Xo

We've decided to ditch Slovenia and head west . Tomorrow, we will follow the German alps across to Lake Constance, Switzerland . It may take 2 days, maybe 4 or 5.

Until next time! Auf Weidersehn!