I am on a roll! I clearly have too much time this month, hence the five blog posts. :)) I’m trying to write as much as I can, while I can; because I recently read about a writer who developed Alzheimer’s and tried to write a memoir, recollecting memories that were already escaping her. That is exactly why I started blogging in the first place. I like remembering things that I did, and places that I went to. I sometimes reread the stuff that I wrote two years ago, and I smile every time I am reminded of how I felt when those things happened.
So, for this month, I am ending my writing streak with a short but sweet narration of a similarly short and sweet trip to Salzburg, Austria.
I took a 2-hour train ride from Munich Hauptbahnhof (meaning “main station”), and reached Salzburg Hauptbahnhof past noon. The city is just at the border of Austria and Germany, that’s why it’s one of the fastest routes to take. Although you’ll be crossing from one country to another, there are no border checks since both countries are EU members. Still, bringing your passport, and keeping it secure is a smart traveler thing to do if you’re a foreigner. 🙂
The view of the countryside is already a treat in itself. There’s just a certain charm to vast grasslands, mountains, and secluded farmhouses. I guess it makes you think how simple life is, being away from the urban, “instant everything” life.
I reached Salzburg at past noon, but still took my time. I knew there were so many places to see, but I wanted to take in all the sights around me without acting like a crazed tourist with a strict schedule. I saw a quaint restaurant, just off the shopping street, Getreidgasse, and had a refreshing glass of Campari orange, while waiting for my schnitzel. Food is always the first order of business. 🙂 By the way, most small restaurants only accept cash. I had to find an ATM because the place where I ate didn’t have a card machine. 
After having a sumptuous lunch, I walked towards the next closest must-visit place – Festung Hohensalzburg (literally, “high Salzburg fortress”). The fortress is atop a small mountain, allowing for a 360-degree view of Salzburg. On the way there, you will also pass by a cemetery called Petersfriedhop. Are “dreamy” and “enchanting” proper adjectives for a cemetery? Because it is!
I loved all the summer blooms, and the chapel, and arrangement of the gravestones. It did not feel like a cemetery at all.
The back gate leads directly to a funicular which takes you up to the fortress. I passed on the 11 euros and walked up instead. It was only a 50-meter vertical distance, I think; and there were more inclined paths than stairs. 🙂
The fortress was already converted into a total tourist attraction, with restaurants, gift shops, and small museums. I spent around two hours here, but it wasn’t enough to cover the entire complex.
After exploring the castle, I went back to the town, excited for the next place I’ll go to, when suddenly, heavy downpour! Thick clouds came out of nowhere and the wind was howling! I was wearing a skirt, and I had to hold it between my thighs so it wouldn’t fly over my head. :)) With no sign of the rain letting up, I just headed to the train station and went back to Munich. Hahaha! So much for my list of places to visit.
Even if my trip was cut short, and I only saw a small portion of Salzburg, I still had an amazing time. Now, I have more than enough reasons to go back to this beautiful Austrian city. I still want to see the shooting locations of The Sound of Music, and experience a Mozart dinner-concert in his hometown. 🙂
TwoFourHours 