Day 3: Back to London, but only for another two weeks
christmas market
Originally uploaded by miss_lace. I started my day with another walk through Mirabelle Gardens. It was snowing harder this time, and the flakes fell on statues and over the grape arbor. Saturday was also the first day of the Christlkind Markt, with approximately 25 booths selling handmade Christmas decorations and ornaments. I got to practice even more of my German, having mastered difficult phrases like “How much does that cost?” and “Will you take my picture?” All in all, though, I was surprised by how easily I picked the language back up. I only had one incident where I couldn’t communicate what I wanted. I was trying to ask a woman in a booth if they had any holiday hand towels, and I couldn’t remember the words for “towel” or “to dry.”
I walked around the Christmas markets and picked out a couple of pretty beaded ornaments as souvenirs. Horse drawn carriages were available to take tourists around the old city, and I picked out my favorite horse - chestnut with white spots - and petted him on the nose for a while. Lots of stands were selling hot wine or punch, along with all sorts of pastries. I had hot chocolate with amaretto, and it came topped with real, fresh whipped cream.
I’d planned to visit an old convent on the edge of town, but upon arriving at the spot I discovered the convent was up on the mountain. No way, I thought to myself, still profoundly sore from Friday’s adventures.
I took a taxi to the Hauptbahnhof, a bus to W.A. Mozart airport, flew home on my 9:05 flight, took a bus from Stansted Airport into London and arrived home around midnight.
Salzburg was a wonderful break from London. With the pollution and car exhaust, I often feel like there’s no air for me to breathe in London. The mountain air in Salzburg was incredible; the snow was pure white and even the water in the river looked clean. I’m ready to come home.