In 2001 our family took a trip to visit Salzburg, Austria. We spent a bit of time in Germany and also used Zurich Switzerland as a connecting point. This was the June before 9/11 and things were not as they are today with respect to air travel, but at that time in Europe there was greater security. There were tanks on the tarmac in Switzerland. This required a bit of an explanation to the just turned 8 year old. My husband was already used to the difference. When we had deplaned in Frankfurt in '87, the airport was patrolled by soldiers with their guns slung across their shoulders and their hands on them ready to shoot. He was a bit shocked. As the world continues to evolve, we continue to try and experience it, often with our fingers crossed against any danger.
One of the reasons that I always liked to travel was the experience of other cultures. I have enjoyed meeting some wonderful people, natives and fellow travelers from parts of the world that I know I will never see, and relishing the different foods, drinks, landscapes, customs and most of all for me, the history and the art. I have always felt that the mountains held secrets, that to look at them you could breathe in beauty. I have never stood atop a mountain and not felt some of its power relinquish itself to me.
So when we took this trip, we had already been on many trips stateside and our children were seasoned travelers to a point. They were well behaved and everyone could enjoy the trip. I made sure that we stayed at a hotel which had swimming pool access. The Sheraton Salzburg was ideal and had access through the hotel to a marvelous swimming pool, with all kinds of kid friendly water works. This was important to have available, as our children enjoyed swimming on vacation. On the park where Mirabell Platz was located, it was only a 10 minute walk into the center of town . Also you could access several tours from the immediate area.
Located right by our hotel were the Mirabell Gardens. Across the gardens you could find a very famous theater. One of the things we did while here also was go to the Marionetten Theater. We saw Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream. The children enjoyed the theater and this was considered something very much for adults as well as children. If you recall, this puppet company was featured in the movie, The Sound of Music. They were a traveling company. They found their permanent home in the old Hotel Mirabell ballroom in 1971, and still travel too. Each puppet is a work of art. They are meticulously attired, bejeweled and detailed. You can learn more about that here:
Former Ballroom of the Hotel Mirabell, now the stage for the Marionette's Theater
Another thing that we did specifically for them was visit the Salzbergwerk Salt Mines in Berchtesgaden. The area is in part Austria and Germany. It was on the same trip out to Eagle's Nest, Kehlstein, that we made this visit. In 1976 I had taken this trip down into the deep recesses of the mine, crossing a silent patch of water underground via boat, glaring down into its stillness. Feeling quite haunted by the experience, only later to be tugged up via a small train to a high point and allowed to exit the mine in a most unusual fashion. As miners had d0ne since the mine opened in about 1517, they worked hard all day and wanted to quickly get out at the end of the day. They took a wooden slide down. So did we and you can too even today.
You put special clothing on over your own to go into the mine, this is so that you may slide down carefully and with great speed. It is very safe, as long as you follow directions and I would recommend it to anyone. It happens very quickly and you get a real taste of adventure.
Margaret Lawson, Germany 1900
You can see that the costumes to go down into the mines had not changed much through 2001
Gluck Auf, means good luck, it is found in most mines throughout Europe in the language of the area, it means good luck to find what you are looking for, to find the right vein!
The second car had our family, Me, Henry, Steve, Katie and Daddy.
Henry, Katie and Daddy sliding down. Steve and I did not get a picture, my eyes would have been closed anyway!
The costumes have now changed a bit. In researching this piece, I notice that the over clothes now contain reflective tape. In the deep, dark areas of the mine, they do turn off all lighting so that you can see various underwater formations better and also they do a kind of light show now. I can see the practical nature of this change. It is also cold in the mine year round. You do want to be wearing something warm. You cannot take children under 4 into the mines. If you ever saw Snow White, you can imagine how one feels heading down to the mine!
Copyright 2010 SheilaTGTG55
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Comments
Great post once again .. I await more.
rated with hugs
Dom: So glad it reminded you of a great trip! I love to visit this region. Thanks for stopping.
rated with love
Here in Colombia we have a salt mine too but they builded a cathedral inside of it... it is amazing
Here´s the link to it... take a look
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_Cathedral_of_Zipaquir%C3%A1
Rated dear
and much much love
Veronica:It was a long time ago now, but it was a lot of good memories. I hope you have a wonderful time too!
Jon: Thanks for stopping!
Fusun: Yes, they have had their horizons broaden considerably. When I was young our family always opened its door to be from other countries. Especially at holiday time, you would expect to see someone from some other country. We were able to travel a bit more with our family. Now they are traveling. My son is already preparing me for students to come here next year for weekends and holidays, to borrow things for their student apartments, etc.
Lea: Yes, I happened to write about it earlier last month. I had been there in 1976 and I talked about taking my family there many years later. I sent you a link.
In the seventies I got a Euro-Rail pass and traveled trains to avoid appearing homeless.
I traveled by myself.
News in America was as HORRIBLE when the Rush Limbaugh/Beck toxic LEAVEN got spewed. I left America for sanity's sake then, and to stop hearing Hate-Broadcasters. Carl MacIntyre was the spewer and gutter mouthpiece in the seventies. He's say kill a commie for Jesus's sake."
It same-same.
`
O bombs away!
They are jokes!
They are a pig!
`
It's a long story.
I had no radio.
I tuned way out.
`
FOX news etc.,
Rudolph Murdock`
Holy Joe Lieberman`
To be honest? DC's ill!
`
The Old Joke is the farmer sees the traveling salesman/women politicos in the city ...
They act as stupid as who?
Me. After my war experience?
I'd see a huge pig and hold her.
`
Money makers from stockyards said`
Wouldn't you save Time if Ya buy a cart?
I said` I'd still have to pick her back up.
"She loves apples and salted smoke ham."
Gads
I make up weird tails and tell tall ta-dah!
Tail-ends`
Well. To make a long tail brief ... I said`
"What's Time to a pig?" Critics saw this`
I'd feed the pig apples. I'd pick up a pig.
Critics think it be easier to pick a apple.
I like to pick up the pig to eat from tree.
`
tease.
I've been abstaining from human pigs.
All Life I've behaved ref Sax-Players.
I sure think it's Time to catch up? sex.
Gads.
`
Sheila TGTG55. Please don't get me banter my whole life story in a public forum. I ma travel with Lea Lane?
I did travel as a quiet Hobo for 7- months.
Then, I came home to buy a rusty P.U. truck.
For 12- years there was o radio. A P.U. conked.
Stunk. It was a red and white with brown rust.
`
Gads.
I started to simply write` I visited Hitlers Eagle Nest.
I saw Louis Ludwig's Castle and carved bed and swan.
The swan was disgusting in `purpose. It was a privy.
He drowned in a canoe. He walked on a moonshine.
When Moon shines a path on water? No try to walk.
Gulp.
I visited Death Camps. Sad. I loved the Beer Gardens.
German sway, sing, and splash beer. Walk in Puddles.
Ya literally walk in beer puddles. One day I may visit?
Beer Gardens,
Tivoli Gardens,
Take coo coo Trains,
Travel with a Companion?
on & on. I walked off a Planet.
Nature don't hurry. We is Alive.
Nasty folk will learn a Hard Way.
Somethings Ya just can't `tails no.
No caste jewell before DC etc swine.
Thanks for this Travel Experience.
Life is a wild adventure. Live right.
Warmonger profiteers will weep.
Wow
Woe
Wee
I feel like a ride on a loco motive`
Train
Seesaw
Tricycle
Good morn
Donkey shin
Giggle boogie
My father lived in Austria for 3 years (that is why my name is Kurt) and if I remember correctly, he lived in Salzburg. Most of my siblings are fluent in German. I speak barely enough to understand when they are insulting me. I have about 10 Falco cd's, and they are some of my favorites. Alas, that has not helped my German much at all.
-r-
Kurt
Lew
Sally: Ha, I am a lot slower these days! I have a good memory of all of it, mostly the smiles and happiness of the kids. They never complained, only enjoyed.
Bellwether: I think that must have happened before, at least once or twice!
I've discovered that even without the kids, when it comes to amusement park rides and the like, I can squeal with the best of them! Who cares what others may think ... squeal and laugh, let the little kid out and have fun!
And three in diapers! I can sympathise ... I had four kids in five years ... I remember those times well.
By the way, we call them (diapers) 'nappies' down here. Funny eh? I think derived from 'napkins'.