Salzburg, Austria

Hello from Salzburg, home of Mozart! Our train ride on Tuesday, from Luzern to Salzburg, was very interesting! We met a lady, Inge Ginsberg-Kruger, who boarded the train in Zurich. She was on her way to Vienna, and started talking to us. She is originally from Vienna, but now lives in New York City. As we came through a small town, can't remember the name right now, she pointed to this snow-covered mountain, and said this is where her Mother, brother, her fiance' and her escaped to freedom. They were in Vienna for 4 years under Hitler's rule. They were able to get false papers, and ride the train to this small town. From there they crossed this mountain on foot. (See Picture Above). She was 20, her mother 40, her brother 22. They made it into Switzerland, and later went to America. She was very emotional at the sight of this place where they crossed to freedom. She said they were running for their lives & that makes you do what you think is impossible. She is a lecturer and writer. Has published books in German, but is now negotiating a contract with Hollywood for a movie. Her books/lectures are about her experiences. Her website is Inge-Ginsberg@juno.com. She said I could google Inge Ginsberg. She told us if we are ever in NY to call her, and she would show us her city! She lives across from Met. Opera at One Lincoln Plaza.

We arrived in Salzburg, took taxi to our hotel, Weisse Taube, a family owned & run, small hotel in the Old City of Salzburg. Doris and Helmut Wollner and their son, Bernhardt are the owners, and have been so nice and helpful. Salzburg is, again, beautiful!! Much of the architecture of the Old City dates to 600 and later. It was founded by an order of monks. We've seen Mozart's birthplace, Hellbrun Palace (on a hill just outside our hotel window!), the Mirabell Gardens (in the new city) and on and on! Today we took The Sound of Music Tour, which was wonderful! Even went into mountains to see St. Michael's Church, in Mondsee, where the wedding scenes from S of M were filmed. Went to Mrs. Brown's for Apple Strudel with ice cream and hot cream sauce! Yum!

Last night we went to Zur Goldenen Ente (The Golden Duck) for dinner. Wayne had Gebratene Thunfischwurfel auf Tagliatelle mit Barlauch und Spargelspitzen, in other words, Grilled Tuna with noodles, bear's garlic and asparagus (14.20 Euros). I had Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein, oder Pute, in Butterschmalz gebacken mit Petersilienerdapfel und Preiselbeeren, in other word, Battered and Fried Pork with Parslied Potatoes and Fresh Cranberry Sauce (10.90 Euros). Dessert was Topfenstrudel mit Schlogobers or Sweet Cheese Strudel with Whipped Cream. Every thing was DELICIOUS except the tune, which was in small cubes, dry, and tough. Wayne's beer was Pilsner Urquell vom Fass .5 liters, and you only had to order one! :0)

We are eating good! But I think all the walking is about evening things out!! (Hopefully).

Tomorrow we are on the train to Vienna. Hopefully I am kinda caught up on my blog, and can try to get some pictures downloaded once we get to Vienna.