Having spent one day in Salzburg back in 2011, I fancied myself somewhat of a local. I clearly recall the first awe-inspiring glimpse of the hilltop castle and its cascading army of dome-topped churches and pastel buildings. The clouds parted, the sun hit my face, and I was suddenly a princess standing at the glimmering gates of my fairyland. And it was fully acceptable to skip across footbridges and do heel clicks up and down the streets.

Stephanie and Kelly had no idea the fairytale land awaiting them in Austria. I was thrilled to return to my kingdom and to see its beauty reflected on the faces of my dear friends. Here my loves: here is the land of Edelweiss and Alps I have promised you.

My second trip to Austria and I’d still never seen The Sound of Music.

“You’ve never seen The Sound of Music?!”

 I know. I hear you. I really do. And I couldn’t hear Do-Re-Mi one more time without a background story to go with it. Thankfully, my hostel made it easy for me by showing the movie every single night at 20:00h sharp. Watching it in prospect I could appreciate the sweeping panoramas and chirpy songs that capture the movie’s resilient melody. Maria, I get why you’re twirling around in fields girl! You live in the kind of city I dreamt about being whisked away to by a Prince when I was a little girl… (you’re still considered a little girl in your 20’s right?)

“I can’t seem to stop singing wherever I am. And what’s worse, I can’t seem to stop saying things – anything and everything I think and feel.” -Maria