Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music (8 page)

Horses and riders entered the stables just as the girls arrived. The riders wore the traditional uniform of brown tailcoats, black two-cornered hats, white buckskin breeches, white suede gloves, and black riding boots with swan neck spurs.

Leah's face lit up. “They sure look dishy in those uniforms.”

As the riders took the horses to their individual stalls, one young rider noticed the girls, took off his two-cornered hat, held it to his chest and nodded his head. “Would you like a closer look?”

“Would we?” Amanda didn't need to be asked twice. “I love how they are pure white, like fresh fallen snow. You must have to work hard to keep them so clean.”

The young rider grinned. “They are not always white like snow, as you say.” He pointed to some dark grey and black horses being fed in a corner. “Lipizzaners are born black and get lighter as they grow older. It takes a long time to train a horse, so by the time they are ready to perform, they are completely white. Those over there are young horses being trained.”

“How long does it take to train one of these horses?” asked Amanda.

“A long time—over six years. Only a few can master the complex jumps and moves that make up the classical dressage. It has to look effortless, like a ballet with the horses dancing to the music. But that is nothing, compared to how long it takes us, the riders, to be trained.”

“Are there any girl riders?” asked Leah.

“Yes, there are some in training now. Up until recently, only men were allowed to become riders at this school. But, that has changed.”

“How long have you been training?” Amanda had so many questions.

“I started as an apprentice at age fifteen. After four years I became an Assistant Rider and was put in charge of training this beauty here.” He rubbed the horse's nose. “Next year, after ten years of training, I will officially become a rider. It is tough training
here at the school, but I am determined to make it. Eighty percent of trainees drop out within the first few years. Once I am a rider, I will travel the world and do performances with my horse.” He grinned proudly.

“But what is this you are carrying?” He looked at the violin case Amanda clutched. “Are you perhaps a musician? Will you be playing at the Opera House?”

Amanda blushed. “Oh, no. I am looking after it for a friend.”

More people entered the stables. Leah stiffened. “I think I just saw Klaus Schmidt with a curly-haired boy.”

A
re you sure?” Amanda scanned the group of onlookers. “I can't see him.” She clasped the violin tighter to her chest.

The girls thanked the young rider and pushed their way through the swelling crowd to join their parents. Amanda felt a tug at her elbow. She looked around, but saw nothing.

“We need to get to the Mozart statue soon and hand over this violin.” Amanda's voice wobbled. “I'm nervous carrying it around.”

Leah's eyes darted around the crowd. “The sooner we get rid of that thing, the happier I'll be.”

“What have we here?” Klaus Schmidt blocked the way. “The clever girls from the boat.” His jolly laugh didn't match his eyes. “Did you enjoy seeing the Lipizzaners? They are quite spectacular when they are performing. Did you know that—”

Amanda cut him off. “Yes, a rider told us all about them.” She looked at her watch as she held onto the violin case with a firm grip. “I'm sorry, Mr. Schmidt,
but we have to meet our parents, and we're late.”

The girls hustled out of the stables into the courtyard where their parents waited by a huge fountain.

Amanda's mom waved. “Oh, there you are. Michael said we are now free to wander around Vienna on our own if we want. We thought we would take the train back to the boat later. I really want to go to the
Burggarten
, the imperial garden between the palace and the Opera House. There is a statue of Mozart I want to take pictures of.”

Amanda's eyes lit up. “I saw it from the bus. I want to go there too.”

“Sorry, folks, but I feel the need for a coffee and a slice of that famous double chocolate
Sachertorte
everyone is raving about,” said Don Ross.

“I could go for that too,” said Leah's dad. “The Hotel Sacher is just down the street.”

“I would like a refreshment as well,” replied Mrs. Anderson.

“I've been eating far too much on this trip, I'd rather go for a walk,” said Mrs. Ross.

“We can walk over to the statue, Mom, take some pictures and meet the rest of you guys at the Opera House later.” Amanda glanced at Leah. “Are you coming?”

“I guess so,” replied Leah. Under her breath she mumbled, “Like I have a choice.”

Mrs. Ross stopped to take pictures as they walked through the immaculately landscaped gardens. Amanda, eager to get to the statue, fidgeted and kept looking around.

“Amanda, could you please stand still. We have lots of time. Now go stand with Leah by those rose bushes so I can take your picture.”

As Amanda smiled her best smile for her mom, she noticed a dark figure duck behind a large willow tree. Amanda's heart quickened. ‘That must be the monk.'

“Can we go to the Mozart statue now, Mom?”

“It should be just over there.” Her mom pointed past the willow tree and started to walk in that direction. Leah followed her. Amanda stopped to readjust the violin case under her arm.

“I'll take that off your hands,” said a man behind her.

She didn't have to turn around to know it was Klaus Schmidt. “It's OK. I can manage.” Amanda walked away at a quick pace.

“I insist.” The older man huffed as he tried to keep up with Amanda. “It would be better with me.”

Amanda didn't want her mom to see Klaus, so she veered off the path by a large pond. She sprinted around the pond toward a steel and glass building, resembling a massive two-tiered cake. A sign
outside the glass front door read:

Palmenhaus

Amanda pushed open the door. It smelled warm, moist and earthy inside. People sat sipping coffee and eating cakes at small round tables under tall palm trees reaching high into the domed glass ceiling. She looked behind her, saw no one had followed her in, and slipped behind a fat tree trunk with draping palm branches. Convinced no one would be able to spot her there, she let out a deep breath.

From her vantage point, she had a clear view of the gardens. Just as Amanda tried to think about what she should do next, she noticed Klaus approaching the Palm House. His hair and whiskers askew, he struggled for breath. The scowl on his face indicated he was not happy.

Klaus stared at the front door, shrugged his shoulders, took a breath and pushed it open.

‘Oh no. I was hoping he wouldn't come in here.' Amanda pulled in her arms, trying to make herself as small as possible. Her heart hammered so loud she was sure everyone could hear it.

Klaus surveyed the crowd while he walked around. He came dangerously close to the palm she hid behind. He turned to walk in the opposite direction. A breeze caused a palm frond to flap in Amanda's
face, tickling her nose. Before she could stop it, a huge sneeze escaped. Klaus stopped, turned around and headed toward the palm.

Amanda ran out from her hiding place and raced toward a marble archway leading to a door. She joined a large group of students going into another section of the building called
The Schmetterlighaus
.

Stepping into a warm, humid, tropical rainforest; a velvety, chocolate-brown butterfly landed on her arm. Butterflies of all colours and sizes flitted about, alighting on exotic vegetation and vibrant flowers. A waterfall trickled into a pond resting in the centre. Several small bridges allowed spectators to cross to the other side. A black butterfly with red dots feasted on a plate of sliced oranges while a delicate green and black one perched on a bright yellow flower. Amanda was mesmerized.

“Isn't the
Schmetterlighaus
, I mean Butterfly House amazing?” said a man behind her.

Jolted back to reality, Amanda jumped and almost dropped the violin. She spun around and saw a smiling Michael. “Oh, it's—it's you.”

“Who did you think it was? You look like you just saw a ghost, Amanda.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I just saw your mother and Leah. They are looking for you. You must not get separated. Vienna is a big city and you are unfamiliar with it.”

Michael took Amanda back out into the garden, to her mom and Leah.

“Where did you go?” asked her mother. “I was frantic. One minute you were with us and the next you were nowhere to be seen.”

“I—I just wanted to see what was in that building.” Amanda pointed behind her. “I didn't plan to be long.”

“Well, you could have at least told us where you were going!” Leah turned away in a huff.

T
he statue of Mozart stood on top of a large marble block decorated with carved musical instruments and chubby cherubs gazing toward heaven.

“He looks so young,” remarked Amanda.

“He was only thirty-five when he died,” replied her mother. “But he accomplished so much in such a short time. Do you know he was composing music by age five? Remarkable.”

Amanda pointed to vivid red flowers planted in the shape of a treble clef. “Isn't it cool how they placed these flowers right in front of his statue?”

Examining the clever landscaping, Amanda spotted a hooded monk hanging around a rose bush. She nodded her head toward the bush and whispered to Leah, “Keep my mom busy for a few minutes.”

Leah sighed. Turning to Amanda's mom, she said, “I think you could get a great shot from this angle, Mrs. Ross.” She led her to the other side of the monument.

Amanda headed down the path leading to the rose bush where the monk appeared to be dead-heading flowers. Keeping his head down, the monk met Amanda on the pathway. Amanda gulped. With shaky hands, she handed the precious violin to the outstretched hands of the hooded cleric.

WHACK!

A boy on a skateboard came from out of nowhere and flew between them. He grabbed the instrument, knocking both of them down. Amanda sat up and stared after the boy in disbelief as he disappeared down the pathway and around a corner.

She turned to look at the monk whose hood had flown back, revealing a woman with curly grey hair.

“This is not so
gut
.” The monk muttered as she got up. She quickly pulled the hood back up over her head and slunk away in the opposite direction.

Amanda sat dumbfounded for a moment, then jumped up and ran down the path shouting, “Stop that boy!”

“Amanda, where are you going?” called her mom.

Realizing it was pointless to follow the boy on a fast-moving skateboard, she turned back and burst into tears.

“A boy…a boy on a skateboard stole the violin.”

Her mom put an arm around her. “It's OK, sweetie. Jozsef will understand. It can't have been
valuable or he wouldn't have given it to a twelve-year-old, would he?” She gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Let's go meet the others.”

Leah gave her a weak smile and didn't say anything.

As they passed the Mozart statue, Amanda thought she glimpsed another, larger monk lurking in the shadows.

They soon arrived at the square in front of the Opera House, where Amanda's dad and Leah's parents waited. Amanda barely noticed the impressive building with marble columns and a horse and rider on each corner.

She was lost in thought. ‘Did I try to give the violin to the wrong monk? It sure looked like Enid Schmidt under that monk's outfit. Could that boy on the skateboard have been Sebastian? And why would he take the violin from his aunt? Is it his aunt?'

“You're very quiet.” Leah tapped Amanda's head. “What's on your mind?”

“I'm just so confused, that's all. And I'm upset that I lost the violin.”

“Don't go spare. We can't let it spoil our holiday together.” Leah looked across the street. “Look at those horses and buggies lined up to take people on rides. The drivers are dressed like Mozart.”

Amanda smiled when she saw the ponies. “The horses are cute. Mom, can you take a picture of me by one of the horses?”

“Of course, sweetie,” replied her mom.

Amanda walked over to a brown pony. He wore a crocheted hat covering his pointy ears and forehead. She reached over to pat his nose. The horse glared at her, bared his teeth and suddenly snapped at her hand. She leapt back.

“I just can't trust anyone anymore!” Amanda stared at her hand, amazed there were no teeth marks on it.

“Amanda, I don't think you should go too close to the horses,” said her mother as she snapped a picture. “Now, let's check out the shops.”

“Oh yes, let's,” agreed Mrs. Anderson.

The girls rolled their eyes.

They walked down a long, wide street with no traffic, tons of stores on each side, and coffee shops in a line down the middle. Men in white wigs and tight pants that met white socks at the knees strolled amongst the tourists. Wearing long elaborate brocade coats and vests, with lace ruffles at the neck and wrists, they looked like they stepped out of the eighteenth century, except some held cell phones to their ears.

The moms went into a large clothing sho
p. Reluctantly, the dads trailed behind.

“OMG! Will you look at that huge bear!”

Amanda ran over to a store with the word
Steiff
on the window. Pressing her face against the glass, she saw a menagerie of stuffed animals: giraffes, donkeys, cows, dogs, sheep, and kangaroos. Just inside the front door, a life-sized grizzly bear greeted customers.

“This place is awesome.” Amanda picked a teddy bear off a shelf and hugged the soft toy. She looked at the tag in his ear and read out loud, “The Original Teddy Bear? I wonder what that means.”

Another customer heard her and said, “Have you not heard of how the teddy bear got its name?”