So...my computer broke and they had to send it to Vienna for two weeks....and this was after I was behind in posting anyway...but now it's back and fixed and I'm ready for blogging! I'm going to go ahead and break up the important events of the last few weeks so as to forgo a single blogpost that is 20 pages long.....
First up: The Butcher's Leap!
The Butcher's Leap is an annual Salzburg tradition that occurs each year the last Sunday before Lent. It is essentially a ceremony to mark the completion of the apprenticeships of butchers.
It's a pretty big celebration and several people from the community come out to watch (and enjoy some wurst (sausage) of course).
The first step is for each of the men to leap (hence the name) head first into a barrel of water (remember, it's freezing cold in early march).
Then they each have to wave a flag around on this balcony.
Some where more successful than others. According to one of my professors, these feats are to demonstrate endurance and strength...I'll spare you the details of the history and proposed meanings...
It was a lot of fun, and cool to see such an old, local custom that wasn't overwhelmed by tourists.
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