This is another holiday weekend (4 day weekend!). So we took a train trip to Salzburg and Vienna, Austria.
We went to Salzburg for Thursday night for just a one night stay. Salzburg means "Salt Castle" which comes from the 8th century when barges carrying salt on the Salzach River were subject to pay a toll to go through Salzburg.
Salzburg is a big tourist spot for fans of Mozart (Mozart was born here and his house is a tourist museum), but especially Americans love Salzburg for The Sound of Music. There are a ton of Sound of Music tours and loads of Americans taking part. Actually, very few of our German friends have even heard of the Sound of Music. Apparently, the Austrians also don't understand either why we love it. Shocking, I know!
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Visiting Salzburg you can't help but want to sing... "the Hills are alive with the Sound of Music...". And something guaranteed to make you smile...
We stayed at a cute hotel on the edge of the pedestrian zone.
Kiwi got to the bed before I could take a picture!
Also as a funny coincidence, we visited Salzburg during the World Dog Show! So apparently the city was going to be inundated with pedigree dogs as a total of 18,607 dogs were entered from 56 countries. And you can believe that Kiwi wanted to meet them all!!!
In fact, it was pretty comical to see all of the perfect and meticulously groomed pedigree dogs and then there is Kiwi, a Baltimore special from an abandoned rowhouse on North Avenue! It was like being on the set of "Best in Show." In fact many of the owners were giving Kiwi the once-over and sizing her up as a competitor. They also were very strict with their dogs and did NOT allow their dogs to meet and greet with other dogs. However, Kiwi did try... with every dog we came across.
Kiwi did get a huge container of organic dog treats from our hotel even though we were not there for the dog show. The hotel management simply said, take it anyway, we have plenty! And they did, they had a huge box full of them. Indicative of the many expected dog guests... (now it's clear why I had such a hard time finding a dog friendly hotel in Salzburg!)
making friends
Salzach River
Mirabell Palace
Several scenes from The Sound of Music were recorded in the gardens. Maria and the children sang 'Do-Re-Mi' while dancing around the horse fountain and using the palace steps as a musical scale.
Not dancing.
1st shot, both not looking
2nd shot, Kiwi not looking
3 x is a charm!
Salzburg Fortress (Hohensalzburg Castle)
at the entry to the fortress
view from the fortress grounds of Salzburg old town
market at the base of the fortress
Giant chessboard in the market square
pedestrian shopping street
BOW DOWN BEFORE ME!
Salzburg Cathedral
We ate dinner at the Afro Cafe on the edge of town. The place had a fun, eclectic atmosphere and it was packed! Although, it was not actually African inspired food, more Bavarian with a little kick of spiciness. Oh well...!
Dinner at the Afro Cafe, Der Junge liked the table decor
Next stop Vienna!
patiently waiting for the train
where is that train?!!!
Actually before leaving Salzburg, I want to leave you with this footage taken from the 2012 World Dog Show.... It is the Dog Dancing Competition! Enjoy!
Next year the World Dog Show will be in Budapest. Maybe Kiwi and I will enter. We have to work on a few things first. (Coming when she's called, dropping the ball to play fetch...)
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