Our train was set to leave Vienna at 10:08am this morning for Prague. The driver who took us to the station from the hotel walked us to the track, which was fortunate because when we got there, we found out we had to board a different train than the one we were looking for. Apparently the train coming into Vienna was late so we had to take a shorter train to Breclav and then had to transfer to the correct train. Luckily there were many other people faced with the same dilemma so we were able to figure it out together. [View Full Entry]

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Today was our last day in Vienna. We started by taking the U2 to Karlsplatz, where we transferred to the U4 to Hietzing, which lies on the outskirts of the Schonbrunn Palace area. After walking through the Hietzing Gate we came to the Palmhaus. The Palmhaus is the largest and last remaining palm house of its kind in Europe and houses flora from every continent. I became quite enamoured with a turtle inside who seemed to pose for the pictures I was taking of him. After the Palmhaus we strolled closer to the Schonbrunn Palace and walked up the winding [View Full Entry]

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We started off this morning with a walk around the flea market at Naschmarket. The flea market is open every Saturday from 6:30am to 4pm and has a huge variety of antiques and collectibles for sale. It is also connected to the regular food market so we wandered around both. The sun was beating down on us with ferocious strength (which I now have the sunburn to show for) but it was a fun experience nonetheless. After the market we stopped and bought a bottle of wine to enjoy later on (after yesterday's experience of finding all the stores closed [View Full Entry]

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Another beautiful day in Vienna... we really have been lucky with the weather so far. We started off this morning at the Spanish Riding School, home of the Lippanzer Stallions. We watched the morning exercise, which basically consists of two hours of watching the horses run and trot in circles. It was a bit monotonous, but the horses are beautiful so we stayed the whole time. They offer a Gala Performance on certain nights, but the price is rather high and the seats sell out quickly, so the exercise is a cheaper alternative. After the riding school we went to [View Full Entry]

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We started today off with a city tour of Vienna. Our driver, Joseph, suggested we go to Schonbrunn Palace because it is a holiday here today and many things would be closed. We headed to the palace and got there early enough to beat the crowds. We took an audio tour of 41 rooms (out of 1440!). Schonbrunn Palace was the summer residence of Empress Maria Theresia (mother of Marie Antoinette). After the tour we continued our city tour around the center of Vienna. We walked around the Josefplatz area and saw the Lippanzer horses in their stables at the [View Full Entry]

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This is my first official day in Vienna and I am operating on about 2 hours of sleep over the past two days so I will keep this first entry short. Our flights were pretty uneventful. I did get an empty seat next to me on the long flight (Austrian Air) so I could stretch out a bit. Unfortunately that little perk did not help me get any sleep...instead I opened my eyes to find the woman who was seated two seats down from me with her head practically in my lap. After struggling to reclaim my extra leg room, [View Full Entry]

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It's finally here! Okay, so I don't actually leave for my trip until tomorrow, but the taxi is coming at 4:30am (!) to take us to the airport and I will literally be a zombie at that hour so I'm posting my last U.S. post now while I'm still conscious. I am sooooooooooooo excited to see central Europe! Last I checked there were thunderstorms in Vienna so I am crossing my fingers for no rain when we get there (or at least no rain on the days when we'll be doing the most walking). I am 99% packed (with probably way [View Full Entry]

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Okay, I think I finally have everything planned as far as can be planned until I've actually arrived at my destinations. I'd like to think there is at least a tiny bit of spontaneity in me so I don't want to go too overboard. Here is how my trip is laid out so far... Tuesday June 5th- Leave LAX at 7:00am, Austrian Air Flight 7998 W Arrive JFK at 3:04pm Leave JFK at 5:54pm, Austrian Air Flight 88 W Wednesday June 6th- Arrive Vienna, Austria at 8:40am Wander around city dazed and jet lagged Thursday June 7th- Sightseeing City Tour, [View Full Entry]

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I'm kind of an anxious person to begin with. If there's something to worry about, I'll worry about it. If there's something to be overly eager and impatient about... you get my point. So with 17 days until I depart for Vienna, my nerves are working overtime in both directions. Have I planned enough? Have I planned too much? What if something goes wrong? What if, what if, what if?!? This is the first overseas trip I have taken in a LONG time. This trip is also kind-of the bridge between a certain past and an uncertain future. As a recent [View Full Entry]

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