Salzburg and Munich

Into Salzburg

My original plan for the summer was supposed to keep me near the Mediterranean, hopefully in cheaper countries with fewer tourists or something like that. Anyway, things change. I got an invite from some Waseda friends to meet them in Salzburg on the 19th. The early morning train ride up started out quiet enough. Then a huge group of Italian Boy Scouts piled into my compartment and started to interrupt my quiet. They were pretty funny though. Telling jokes and beating on each other just like my good ole days in the scouts. They got out somewhere near the border in the Alps. Suddenly I wished I could go with them and hide in the forest for a while.

Rendezvous

Well, the meeting didn't go so smoothly. Eugene, Kaori and Yoko decided to change the meeting spot without my knowing. I checked into the Yoho before I found out that they were headed for some bed and breakfast out in the country. After reading my email, I rushed out to the Haus Lindner to meet them. I ended up paying for two beds for the night, but the one out in the quiet countryside was much better. Plus, it came with a great breakfast. We stayed there two nights before moving up to Munich.

I expected Salzburg to be totally overrun with tourists, but it was actually quite quiet when I arrived on Sunday. Sure there are Sound of Music Tours and whatnot, but the downtown area is very strollable. I guess I am just in a relaxing sort of mood, but simply hanging out is enough for me lately. This little village , surrounded by its green hills and snow-capped mountains, is a great little get-away. I can see how Mozart could be inspired here.

Munich

Munich, on the other had, is a big city. Lying just across the border into Germany , it may share much of the culture of Salzburg, but on a grander scale. The pedestrian shopping area alone can take hours to explore. We happened to get a good free walking tour that pointed out the finer points of this downtown area. The real highlight of this wacky town is the lack of accommodations.

-In order to cope with the problem, the city has invented "The Tent" to accommodate the influx of summer backpackers. It is a big circus tent that is set up out in a residential area of town. For about US$7 you get a mat, some blankets, and a small place in this glorified homeless shelter. The showers are warm and the breakfast is included, so many people have no qualms with the noise, hard floors, and general creepiness of the place. We are staying three nights.

-- Previous | Summary | Next --