Salzburg, Austria. Oh, where do I even start? The truth is I have been putting off writing this article for so long now that it has been almost two years since the trip. Why have I been so slow to write about Salzburg? I feared that I would never be able to write anything that could do this sublime city any justice. It took two years but I have now accepted that nothing I or anyone will ever write, portray, or paint will give what Salzburg is owed. So I may as well write anyhow! That being said, I’m not sure what this article will be about really. I will not be recounting a funny story or reviewing where I stayed, or what I ate. I will simply express, as best as I can, how simply beautiful Salzburg is.
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Going to Austria was a dream I’d never thought would come alive. It was the last city I visited during my year abroad in Europe and just like this article; I kept putting it off for several reasons. I knew that I wanted to go during the summer. When it was warm and when the sun was shining. That is when I am my happiest. I wanted so desperately for everything to be perfect so I could fully relish my time spent there. I must also admit that part of me was scared to visit Salzburg as I did not want the image of her that I held on to for 21 years to be destroyed. I did not want to be let down.
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Why was I so obsessed with this city that I had not yet met? Sound of Music is my favorite film. And just like many others, I have watched it at least a million times – each time in awe of the scenery. Salzburg is one of the rainiest cities in Europe but thanks to Mother Nature, the week I spent there was only filled with sunshine and blue skies. The architecture! The mountains! The edelweiss! The people! The food! Every single part left me dazed when I finally arrived.
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Every day that I spent in Salzburg, I walked through the Mirabell gardens. I sat in the very chapel Maria got married in, played in the fountains, and watched the sunset surrounding the Nonnberg Abbey. And every day I took time to walk through the city, sit by the river, and climb every mountain. I sang “Edelweiss” as I stopped to smell the flowers and drank pink lemonade under the sun. I met nuns and school children, fellow Sound of Music fans and even others who had never heard of the film. Do not get me started on the latter!
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If there is one thing that you should take from this article it is that you should visit right now! Salzburg is a very old city surrounded by hills that are truly alive. When I visited, it still appeared that way – beautiful and serene. But I could tell that it was on the brink of absolute change. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to experience it in the event that it does change. There were hints of modern skyscrapers and concrete buildings taking over. I hope it is not true. I pray it is left untouched by contemporary monstrosities. And, above all, I wish it’s not too late for you.