It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Day: 6

Countries: 2               Cities: 3

Salzburg, Austria

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Friday 25 December 2015

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Merry Christmas!

More people are milling about today and more places are open thankfully. It's been a pretty good day actually.  Once we finally got going, we taxied to Mirabelle Square. Then we walked through the gardens there which were nice and I imagine must be extra pretty when the flowers are in bloom. Then we went to Mozart’s residence, which is kind of a neat place to think about being when he’s only ever been the name in the top right corner on the first page of the flute concertos I’ve played.

Then we walked in search of food because by now it was past noon and we were hungry. We saw the Cafe Bazar which came highly recommended but which unfortunately was closed. But fortunately enough, right next to it was Cafe Sacher, as in where we got the original torte in Vienna two nights earlier. It was a nice, fancy hotel café, and we managed to have a nice lunch and splurge for Christmas dessert. There, we also saw this absolutely adorable, chubby, little baby boy who was just a cutie pie. J  

We spent the afternoon wandering around Salzburg, through the old town area. It was really cute and quaint. A big-ish city with a quiet charm.  Many places were closed but a lot were actually open.  Gift shops and cafes and restaurants. The Christkindl Market in the main square there. I guess Christmas Eve is more of their special, Christmassy, family day and Christmas is the day they go out and celebrate and just enjoy the day out and about.

Our walk took us to and then up hill to the Fortress. We took the speedy, little funicular up the mountain to the fortress, then explored around there for awhile. There was a gorgeous view of the city below and the mountains beyond and the bright setting sun painting a masterpiece across the sky. Beautiful.

We had a few minutes and free wifi and it was about the time we’d be opening presents at home, so I FaceTimed with my family and spent a piece of Christmas morning with them which was perfect! I showed them the view from the Fortress, a piece of the masterpiece, and I got the gift of a glimpse of Christmas morning, a piece of home, a connection with family. J

Then we explored the Fortress, which was begun in 1077.  And then we went back down and walked to try and find dinner.  Spent the rest of the evening walking around and enjoying the Christmas night with good friends.  Headed back to the hotel after and FaceTimed home again.

Will wake up early tomorrow to catch the train to Munich—to adventure!—there. It's been fun Salzburg. Thanks for making Christmas special—a Christmas I'll never forget. Thanks for working it out and for the gift given so long ago that makes this a day to remember wherever you are.  And though I’m sure most people’s Christmas trees and decorations have come down by now, sending love and Christmas wishes wrapped up tight in a bow (which I can tie more beautifully in writing than in reality J)—Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night…

~