Rainy Salzburg

Yes we finally left Italy and have arrived in Salzburg. We took a train ride for about 5 hours from Venice to Salzburg and went through the most gorgeous mountain terrain we´ve seen yet. We couldn´t believe how green and beautiful everything was. Now that we have been in Salzburg for two days we know why it´s so green here! It has rained constantly. We´re not complaining after coming from the heat and sweat of Italy, but it does make it a little difficult to see what you want to see.

We ended up having Canadian roommates which we spent the last two days with. Yesterday we all decided to go to the Salt mines in Hallein. On the way, we hooked up with two Aussies who toured with us. We put on old fashioned salt mine clothes and trekked from Austria to Germany underground through the salt mines. We took a miner´s train in and slid down old wooden slides to go from cavern to cavern. The topper was watching cheesy German videos about Wolf Dietrich and his love for money and the salt mining business.


Today, Dave, Stacy (the Canadians), Chris, and I went to Berchtesgaden to Hitler´s Eagle´s Nest. This was were Hitler used his propoganda to show that he was for the people. It was at the top of this beautiful mountain and was used for Hitler´s meetings and such. After WWII, the allies bombed it and later used as a resort for American troops. Seems like a pretty crazy place for a resort apart from the beautiful scenery. It was 2 degrees Celsius at the top with plenty of wind and snow. Quite a change from 42 degrees Celsius in Rome! (A welcomed change!)

As it has rained pretty much the entire time we have been in Salzburg, we have been limited to what we´ve seen around the town. Because of the rain and not truly being prepared, Chris had to resort to buying large garbage bags and finding a broken umbrella in a wastebasket to keep himself dry. A strange site to much of Austria.

Tonight is our last night here and we head to Munich for two days. There we plan to visit the Dachau concentration camp, see the beer gardens, drink a Liter of beer for Jeremy, and then head for some castles in the Bavarian alp area. We did not make it to see the Sound of Music tour, although our hostel does play the movie everyday.