The Sound of Music

"Small world eesn't eet?" we heard behind us as we prepared to board the train from Munich. It was our friend Alex, he was heading North to Scandanavia I think. I admired that he'd been travelling for months and had no end date in mind and wondered how many other people were travelling around Europe like him. We chatted for a while and then went our separate ways and I've never seen him since but I remember that moment, those words and their meaning to this day. Sometimes things happen that connect the dots and make the world a smaller place. I don't believe it's just a coincidence and I'm sure you can recall moments like that too.

We arrived in Salzburg the birthplace of Mozart. The town seems small although there are 145,000 living there. It is very picturesque with the Danube River, the Castle on the hill and the surrounding mountains. You can see how Mozart got his inspiration.

The hostel had daily screenings of The Sound of Music. I really enjoyed seeing the movie for the first time especially being able to identify the scene locations from our walks around the town.

The second day we went to Berchtesgaden and the salt mines, just a short trip over the border back into Germany. We had been spoiled by the trip to Gstaad but once again it was beautiful. On such a hot day we were glad to be going underground in the mine. It was part of the experience to dress as salt mine workers, somehow my shorts were still in plain sight! Climbing in a railcar and travelling through the dark tunnels of the mine was something like a Disney ride. We took a few photos but the flash photography was blinding in the darkness.

The next day we caught the Orient Express to Vienna 295km away. At the station we were met by a stranger, an old man named Frank. He offered to provide us with a room at his house. On the sole basis of his name being the same as our Grandad we accepted his offer. We got in his car and travelled back to his place. The room was fine though a little crowded as we shared it with 3 Americans. We wanted to squeeze in a trip to the famous Central Cemetery to see Mozart's grave so we caught the train a long way out to the city outskirts. It took us a very long time to find the grave and by that time we did it was getting close to dark. Mozart died aged 35 yet he achieved so much in a short time, it is proof a little inspiration goes a long way.

We returned to the train station and waited but nothing came. Finally we realised there was no next train. As all good Kiwi's know, if you are lost in the bush, find a stream and follow it out. We decided the only thing to do was follow the railway tracks home. After a while, it got too dangerous so we left the tracks and caught the first tram that came by. By a bit of detection, without a map, without a contact to call, somewhere along the way we recognised the location where we were staying and so late that evening much to our relief we arrived home.

Our adventures for the day were more interesting than the Americans. However they were able to tell us what lay ahead in Italy. The thieves, the mystery of lost mail, the slow trains that are "absolutely packed", the crazy drivers. We asked them if they went to Florence because we'd heard of the serial killer who'd been on the loose there for 21 years who always murdered people in pairs. No problem for the 3 of them but for us? They didn't know, we were about to find out but until then...Edelweiss : )

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