Sound of Music

Sound of Music

Evergreen

Everlasting

I was a mere 10 year old way back in the 60s when it was the craze in town ; as real as F1 in Singapore. I remember going into Cathay Cinema under a special discounted ticket cos all school going children had the privilege. And how many times did I watch the show as a kid? 5 times? 10 times? I can't remember. And how many times did I watch as a mother? 10 times? Going through it over and over; what with every new addition to the family. Every girl of mine must watch the show...that's where they learn ...doe a deer, a female deer, ray a drop of golden sun...me a name, I call myself...and all mothers will still make their children watch ...now and always. And if you are a mother and have not introduced the show to your child...please do it.

The New York financial turmoils that are here now; come and go ;

but

the Sound of Music stays forever,

and one day, it will be as old as the Hills of Austria

So it was our privilege to set foot on Austrian soils in the Spring of 2005 and see for ourselves some of the places and sites where the film was shot.

The Hills are alive with the sound of music, with songs they have sung for a thousand years...

An old castle...Leopoldskron Castle in the background of Salzberg but not as majestic as King Ludwig's Castles in Germany

If you have watched the movie, you are bound to see these great works of Art in one of the scenes; so part of the Austrian culture and people... great artists and musicians.

A busy street in Salzberg; plenty of tapestry and beautiful needlework pieces; so tempting and we bought some as gifts for friends and loved ones at home and they cost a bomb. Nothing is cheap there...Euro dollars!

The famous Mozart Chocolates...so creamy, rich and yummy...in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Look at the Square ! They actually play chess 'live' on the ground. How is it we can't find Squares like this back home? The Europeans know how to enjoy life or is it the weather? Tropical heat just do not allow outdoor fun the way it should be? That's why it wasn't so unnerving walking in the streets of Salzberg except you do see many aged folks like the ones in the pic below.

Generally the Europeans are of a different age group ...we have not seen so many old ones in our travels... except for Kong-Kong and Por-por la.!

Kong Kong was so mesmerised by the colourful eggs! That's Esther making sure he doesn't go MIA! Look at his rugged pair of jeans. Kong Kong actually went MIA in Frankfurt Airport where we first landed. He knows no English...but surprisingly there were plenty of Chinese there...so we finally found him after 1/2 an hour of frantic search.

Horse carriage rides are an integral part of the local tourism scene. The horses are just horses and they 'pooed' and 'wee-weed' as and when they like. There are sweepers specially assigned to clear the good stuff so the streets look presentable!

This is the Mirabel Gardens where the children of the Von Trapp family sang D0-Re-Mi. The girls in the pic also sang the song...doremifasolatido.....

The Mirabel Gardens and the Palace where part of the filming for the wedding was shot.

Girls are girls. Posers. They love that. The gardens came alive for the girls...never in their wildest dreams would they think they could visit the same garden they watch over TV day and night as kids...one of my favourite things...

Again another scenic shot of the town ...remember the Von Trapp kids sitting on a carriage to the market place chaperoned by Maria?

That's the Salzach River behind the girls...like the pic below...where the children fell into the river much to the chagrin of the Captain...the elite becoming urchins...
On the other side of the river is the building where the indoor shots of the movie were made.

The girls on the bridge across Salzach River.

Here, no one can miss this building...the very place where the famous Mozart was born. Great to see the building .

Maria and the Von Trapp children in the Sound of Music.

40 years down memory lane and they are still here. Nostalgic.

1. Liesl 2. Friedrich 3. Louisa 4. Kurt 5. Brigitta 6. Marta 7. Gretl

Great show. It's for the old and young ; fun-filled with great music and acting. You also learn patriotism, true love and the power of a woman behind a man's life. How a good woman can change the course of a man's perspectives in life and the warmth that exuberates from a woman's touch. I love the show ; and I do allow my students to watch in class... and let them hear good diction and taste different cultures. Even the boys do not mind...serious. And how many times have I watched it as a teacher? 5 times? OCD??? That's what my girls will label me.