Run, Run, Runaway

12/28/2009

 
into the azure skies
into the green fields
into the sunflower meadows
into the streaming waters

run, run, runaway

and never come back
runaway
and never look back

run
til there’s an open chance

run, run, runaway

Salzburg, Austria

12/21/2009

 
Although my idea of Decembers rests on BBQ’s at the beach, I love the quaintness and coziness of Austrian winters. Under 10deg weather, the houses snuggled between the snow-covered Alps with mists faithfully rising from its chimneys, made me want to curl up under a blanket while sipping eggnog across a crackling fireplace. It’s Winter Wonderland at its finest.

Thankfully just a 4hr drive away from Pordenone, the bus ride saved me from an aching behind and some iTouch battery. My only complaint really were the rambunctious cliques chattering like crazy at 4:00am. Please, some people need sleep. Talk about basic necessity? I’ll take a crying baby any day but a wailing grown woman at 4:00 friggin AM? C’mon. But finally, we stopped at Sudrast, a hotel/rest stop off the autostrasse for some ham omelette made from fresh eggs sprinkled with freshly grated pepper and rye pane (at least for me). I finally got my ears that much needed rest and satiated my growling stomach with some organic breakfast for less than 5e.

Given a chilly welcome with some light snow falling sheepishly to the ground, we finally arrived at Salzburg after two hours from the stop. Our first stop? The Domplatz, where a few of Salzburg’s 42 cathedrals and Christmas markets were set-up.  The Dom cathedral’s (the biggest in Salzburg) interior is beautiful. Apart from its carved and ornate ceilings, the highlight of this cathedral is the organ overlooking the whole church. Simply gorgeous. Within the Dom Platz area also sits St. Peter’s Abbey where a too cute depiction of the Birth of Jesus rests as displays.

I didn’t spend much time at the Dom Platz though, I immediately went straight to Getreidegasse the shopping alley of Salzburg and where Mozart’s house stands. I do not know how many stairs and doors I went through inside Mozart’s, but it was definitely interesting. Some of the rooms were definitely intact with its creaking floors and walls only accessible through a small open area, and with one room turned into an oval shaped listening section, playing classics throughout the day. A souvenir sucker, I bought a Mozart CD, a Mozart black pencil and a few postcards - further embracing my touristy status.

Done about lunch time, I ate at Nordsee, a resto specializing in seafoods! The fried fish topped with tomatoes, parsley, provolone cheese and a side of fresh french fries are to die for! Worth every cent of the 11.50e sans drinks. From there, I simply shopped and walked around the area finding other Christmas markets and beautiful murals. Snap! Snap! Snap! After about an hour, I went to find Stift Nonnberg Abbey, one of the locations from the Sound of Music. Climbing quite a few steps, I finally found the abbey but unfortunately, it was closed. The view from where it sits though, made up for it. It overlooks the city and the Salz river all covered with snow commanding that warm, fuzzy feeling.

At 4:00pm, I made my way through the Salz River as my final stop for the day. The river had a walkway going the sides and under the bridge filled with withered trees, a perfect place for romantic walks and quiet reflections. By 5:00pm, I was back inside the bus again. All the walking helped silence the loquaciousness inside the bus and I was off dreaming about Salzburg once more.