Die Hugel sind Lebendig

Why oh why is everyone named Maria?? Maria Teresa, Marie Antoinette, Maria West Side Story, Marionettes, Maria Von Trapp. The first time I watched The Sound of Music was two days ago. In Salzburg. Can anyone else you know say that?? Didn't think so. In the past three days I've checked several things off my life's bucket list I didn't even know were there. 1. I've walked the same ground as Maria Von Trapp. 2. I've hopped up the Do-Re-Mi steps. 3. I've touched the "I am 16 going on 17" gazebo. 4. I've skipped around the "I have confidence" fountain. 5. I ate a pretzel bigger than my head (though I should probably say bigger than the reader's head. That's more impressive than my bean for a noggin). 6. I sat on a dancing boat. 7. I saw Mr. Doppler's house (and of course did Sheldon's head vroom from the Big Bang Theory to get the full effect). 8. I've been pranked by a mad man's fountains. 9. I rang Mozart's doorbell. 10. I watched MDC's Candle dance performed in Drindls and Lederhosen. Most of these are self explanatory so I'll only describe a few.

Did you know, our beloved American musical, The Sound of Music, isn't even an original? Fragen Sie eine Osterreicherin. Don't be surprised when they don't have the faintest idea what you're talking about. The R&H masterpiece was a remake of a German flick, Die Trapp Familie. Don't worry, I'd never heard of it either. It was a huge flop. Which is why America successfully stole the idea and made something better. I can't give my opinion about it yet, I've only seen half of it. Who needs to watch it when you can live it?

Now for the dancing boat. I feel a bit like I'm in Disneyland. I have a Salzburg card and a pamphlet of things I can get into for free with the card. On Friday night, I experienced Salzburg's equivalent of the Jungle Cruise. It was sluggish, slow, and a bit boring until the last few minutes. Instead of pulling up to the dock, our guide took us a little ways out onto the river and stopped. I was slightly alarmed when I looked up to see a wonky look on the tour guide's face. Next thing I knew, classical music was blasting and the boat was spinning around in circles. The best part was when the boat stopped, turned and started whirling the other direction. My first and only waltz with a boat.

You're probably wondering about the Mad Man's fountains. Yesterday, we went to Hellbrunn Palace. I'd definitely put this on my fav five. All I can say is, the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg was somewhat crazy and looney. I'm sure we would've gotten along splendidly. His palace is full of trick fountains. With any step you could end up soaked (not quite that dramatic but still). Apparently he got a kick out of spraying his guests at parties. Speaking of crazies, our tour guide may have been headed to the funny farm. He was loving his job. He chuckled, giggled, and chortled (yes all these laughs sound different) all throughout the tour. He certainly didn't mind soaking us to the bone.

Last night the Disney feeling came yet again. The light parade Salzburg style. And oh was it magical. This weekend is the opening of the Salzburg music festival and last night was the kick off. At 10:00, when everything is dark, everyone gathers around the city square. Musicians played from different towers in turn and then the orchestra in the square began. Their music stands have a huge candle on each side for light. When they started, about 50 couples in drindls and lederhosen came and danced around the fountain with candles. Just like MDC candle. Totally spectacular. All the girls were given roses (sigh).

Today (Sonnestag, Sunday), a few of us went to the LDS ward in Salzburg. Dosing off in Sacrament meeting is no good, not when your translator is watching you from the stage. I think he played a few tricks on us. It was a lost cause from the get go when I couldn't figure out how to attach the headphone to my ear. About halfway through, a girl with me turned and said, "oh my gosh, this is so cool! There are other channels with different languages on it." And another study abroad girl said, "yeah, I hear it! Chinese on number 3." I then spent the next 20 minutes, confused and frustrated, trying to find the Chinese channel. How gullible can you go. I didn't even figure out there was nothing else until they told me. I was this close (little action) to asking if I could borrow one of theirs to hear it.

Last but not least, we all went to an amazing dinner tonight. I had a beef goulash and mashed potato dish that was divine. Pure deliciousness.

PS: What the random. At church, I looked like a hobo. Two jackets on with B's big black raincoat. Three hoods- green, white, black. The raincoat goes down to about the same level as my dress so it looked like I had nothing on underneath. Not to mention my socks and tennis shoes. Standing in the pouring rain at the bus stop, we met two girls from Arizona who had just come from the church. One girl says that her brother just graduated from BYU. Somebody Babbel. Yep, I went on a date with her cousin. I have the most awkward run-ins.