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A few hours drive from Dauchau found us in Salzburg, Austria. Country No 2 of our Grand Tour.
We checked into our meh hotel (ok, it wasn't SO bad, but certainly didn't meet the cleanliness standards all the German hotels had set thus far) and got our collective Internet fix with our first free wifi since touching down in Frankfurt a week ago.
There was Skyping all around.
En route to a recommended restaurant we took a side trip through Mirabel Gardens and ogled the gorgeous flowers and mythological statues. The Schloss Mirabel was built for the king's mistress and is beautifully and extravagantly ornate.
We had a delicious and satisfying dinner at Bausto. The best way I can think to describe the traditional Austrian pasta we had is a cross between a pierogie and a ravioli (fitting, considering our location). Our host, the owner himself, was the hardest working and friendliest Austrian we could have ever hoped to meet.
After dinner we strolled throuh the old quarter, down the street, to discover a stone passageway that lead to a tiny cobbled stoned road that lead STRAIGHT UP a mountain to a church overlooking the city.
The road upwards was lined with life-sized dioramas (I'm sure there's a word for this) of the stations of the cross (Although i only found myself praying for strength to make the climb to the top after the delicious dinner I stuffed my face with).
By the time we reached the top of the mountain, the sun had long disappeared and we were treated to a breathtaking view of the glowing and glittering city below. Across the river and at the top of the neighboring mountain/hill, the un-seige-able Salzburg Foretress, with the steeples of a dozen churches and cathedrals at its base in the old town below. The alleyways and streets below glowed in the way that I think only those of ancient cities can.
After our descent through a maze of stone steps, back to the street, we capped off the evening with drinks at a sidewalk cafe owned by an eccentric Italian who, when asked if he spoke English said, "Yes! Sit down!" and promptly brought us menus.
We toasted Nick's birthday eve and he was even treated to a rendition of happy birthday sung by a friendly little kid whose parents were having dinner at a table inside.
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