Kitsch

Salzburg is a tourist destination, so it is not without its share of things that are, well, touristy. In the two main squares, the Residenzplatz and the Domplatz, you’ll find dozens of fiakers (horse-drawn carriages), street artists and musicians, and kiosks selling souvenirs. There are two examples of Salzburger kitsch that I have a real soft spot for. The first are Haempelmaenner, wooden puppet- like dolls with a pull-string which moves their arms and legs. I bought two really beautiful ones (a white bear playing the violin, and a blue elephant playing the trumpet) the last time I was here (I have them hanging in my bedroom at home), but I’m sad to say, I couldn’t find any nearly as nice on this visit. The other thing I love are little decorative bundles of spices, thought to be good-luck charms. They have a delicious sweet/ spicy smell that immediately evokes the city for me…even if a true Salzburger would find them to be the Austrian equivalent of , say, a Statue of Liberty shot glass or something.