Salzburg to Firenze

This was my last little leg of my European backpacking adventure. In the morning, I decided to go to the Salzburg museum because they were housing a traveling Sound of Music exhibit- could that be any more perfect?? It was also only 1.50 to get in. I saw the outfits the real Maria and Baron Von Trap wore as well and many of their personal items, pictures, and music. There was some interesting history about the family that I didn't know before. I am so glad I did this. 

Then I went to the train station to board my train back to Firenze. It's bittersweet knowing that this will be the last time in a long time that I will get on a train to go home. I'm not ready to leave yet. I want to see my parents, but I wish I could see them in Florence. I know that I will be back one day and there is nothing more I would enjoy than being able to call Europe or Firenze home again. 

Last stop, last day- Salzburg

I can't believe the very last day of Beth and my's tour of Europe has past. It was so great and so much fun but it went by way to quickly. I don't think I've even been able to process all we've seen and done. 

The last day, we woke up and attempted to find a hike. We were eventually able to find one and we went on about an hour and a half hike over this mountain/hill in Salzburg. It was very pretty. I wish we had more time and we could have hiked some more. Every time I hike or am around mountains, it makes me really excited that I am moving to Colorado. 

After our hike, Beth was bound and determined to find a brautwerst and we succeeded! We came across a little outdoor market and had a picnic on the steps of one of Salzburg's 47 churches. For a town as little as Salzburg, this is quite a large number. 

Then we waked back to the hostell to retrieve our things. I walked Beth to the bus stop and tried not to cry as the bus pulled away to take her to the airport and then to London. We had such a wonderful time together. When we met as freshmen in high school, I never would have imagined that we would backpack Europe together and see 4 countries and 8 cities with each other. There are so many great memories that I know I will treasure forever. I am so lucky to still have Beth as my friend. 

I then went to find my next hostel because luckily, the one we booked together didn't have a bed for Friday night. After finding my new hostel and seeing how much nicer it was, I set out to go to the castle. I got caught in a rainstorm on the way there but after the rain slowed, I was able to find the path up the castle. I debated about paying to go in but finally decided that I was there and I probably should. Once inside, I was really glad I did. Included was an audio tour of some of the rooms and it gave a great history of the castle and how it's grown and changed. There's been a castle on the top of the mountain since 600 and it was expanded through the 1800's. It was neat to see an older castle since the ones in Germany were more modern. I also saw some of the rooms of the castle as well as their weapons, torture machines, the chapel, and some outfits. All of the explanations were in German though so I wasn't able to read them. 

After this, I headed back towards the city in the rain and went to an Asian restaurant that Beth pointed out earlier as one that she read about. It was really good and cheap. I had veggie curry and it was so nice to eat something a little spicy but I am so looking forward to my favorite Italian meals in Firenze.