New Year's in Salzburg

So, we decided to spend New Year's Eve in Salzburg to watch the fireworks over the castle.  It was bitterly cold and people were shooting amateur fireworks all around us; which I hate.  

We took the train and met up with my American friend, Kristen.  No amount of gleuwein could warm me up!  ugh.  So we ducked into a cafe shortly after midnight and hung out there before heading back into Germany.

My pictures didn't come out so good and I seemed to have lost them anyway.  Oh well.  Here are a couple of pics I found on the internet that are similar to ones I took.

A few days later, I had to head back to the UAE.  Little did I know, this would be the last time Thomas and I would embrace as he broke up with me a few weeks after this.  I am devastated and heartbroken.

At least I had a nice flight home.  Definition of awesome: Unknowingly getting bumped to business class from Dusseldorf to Abu Dhabi flight, glass of champagne and magazine featuring David Bowie before the flight even takes off, fast track thru immigration and bag coming right out on conveyor belt as you approach! "Cause somewhere in my youth our childhood...I must have done something goooood!" ~Sound of Music

First class and David Bowie; what could be better?

Hohensalzburg Fortress

Today I decided to head back over to Salzburg and finally head up the hill to the Hohensalzburg Fortress.  This is a self-portriat I took from the top.

The fortress is the largest and best preseved citadel in Europe.  The construction was started in 1077.  Up to the 17th century it was constantly being enlarged and fortified with towers, bastions, walls and entrenchments.  

I call this the gold ball, but it is actually a sculpture entitled “Sphaera” created by artist Stephan Balkenhol in 2007 for the Salzburg Foundation.

A view of the gold ball below as I ascend the path on my way up to the fortress.

"The World of Marionettes" is a small and creepy puppet museum inside the fortress.

Nice toilet.

Yes, this is a chastity belt with a nice heart-shaped poop hole in the back.

Ornate door inside the fortress.

A view of the courtyard of the fortress with a big, dead tree.

Chapel in the courtyard.

Gaisburg mountain in the distance.

The fortress on my way back down the hill.

Beautiful Salzburg

Love locks on the bridge.

I love Salzburg. It's such a beautiful city. I actually made 3 trips this week to walk around, hang out and enjoy the beautiful weather. It's only a short 30 minute train ride from Traunstein. I spent most of my time this week walking around the Altstadt or the Old Town.

The Hohensalzburg Fortress up on the hill.

Walking through old town.

 Residenzbrunnen (Residence Fountain) created by Italian sculptor Tommaso di Garona in 1661.  It is said to be the largest and most beautiful Baroque fountain outside of Italy.

Playing Chess!

Make your move!

Horses waiting for riders at the square with Franziskanerkirche (Franciscan Church) in the background.

A view on the way up to the fortress.

Flower Market