Salt and the Sound of Music

Salt built Munich, plain and simple. Without the rich salt trade of the middle-ages, Henry the Lion would never have been able to reroute the salt through the city, bringing it enourmous wealth and influence.

Although salt (Salz in German) came from the center of the salt universe, Salzburg (see the word "Salz" in there?), Munich overshadows Salzburg economically and culturally today. Still, the small town, just two hours away is an inviting trip for any "Münchener." I travelled over the Austrian border this past weekend to check it out.

The city is, of course, very musical. Mozart and Haydn both come from the city, and the von Trapp family escaped the Nazis from their home in Salzburg as documented in the film, "The Sound of Music." Seeing the piano where Mozart composed his Sonata in C, a song I often played when I took lessons, made me miss my music.

Salzburg is also very beautiful. Nestled among Alpine foothills, the "Festung Hohensalzburg" (Fortress of Salzburg) gives great views of the city and the region. Church steeples and fall colors added to the grandeur of the experience.

Luckily, a friend of mine has been to Salzburg many times and could show us around. We also met up with the family his mother stayed with when she was an exchange student in Salzburg. Despite not knowing three of the four American students who entered their home, they treated us to an evening I won't forget.

The family immediately served us fresh, homemade, Austrian apple streudel (the apples came from the garden, I might add). When we admitted to not knowing what Kaiserschmarrn was, they insisted on making the Austrian dish immediately for us to try. We discussed politics, family, culture, and, once they found out I am from Detroit, cars. Their hospitality left quite the impression on all of us!