Tuesday, 22 July 2003

Austria 2003: Salzburg - The Sound of Music…

"Do not pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a difficult one..."

(The street buskers)
(Colourful flowers in the garden)

Salzburg, the city of Mozart, is the most enchanting town. Its streets are long and narrow, and its pedestrian walkways are lined with shops resembling a confusing warren of tunnels. A massive fort tops a hill high above the town, and cathedrals are everywhere. Salzburg, or literally "Salt Mountain," became rich off its salty resources. Now it is a tourist haven where pretzels and ice cream are sold at every corner and classical musicians line the streets. Even the pretzels themselves are amazing. Some weigh in at over a kilogram while others are smothered in chocolate or resemble knotted apfelstrudel. Clouds of bees and wasps are attracted to the sweet pretzels.

(The home of Mozart)
(The composer birthplace and home museum)

I would tear apart this constricting veil
That holds my mind and cleats me to this soil
I would try, and try again, and gladly fail,
And consider it worthy of my toil
If only I could find in me some change,
If only I could find that other me -
If only I could venture down the strange
That is my normal and there set me free...

Sunday, 20 July 2003

Austria 2003: Vienna - The beautiful Blue Danube…

"Character is how you treat those who can do nothing for you..."

(An elegant house by the Danube)
(A sight-seeing bus tour)

There is so much more to Vienna than the Blue Danube waltz. Home of Strauss, the Vienna Boys' Choir and magnificent opera, Vienna is a city with music in the air. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour past the Hofburg Palace, Spanish Riding School and magnificent, new Museum Quarter.

(St. Stephen's Cathedral)
(A musical group entertaining the crowd)

Auguries of Innocence

To see a World in a Grain of Sand,
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,
And Eternity in an hour
'
(William Blake)

(An evening stroll along the Stephanplatz)

I was in Vienna again in May 2006.