I did not know architecture until now

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Our last day in Vienna, so we made sure we got up early and attempted to still see and do everything wanted. First stop of the day was one of the coolest things ever because I was able to see/walk under/beside/though…experience a real Zaha designed building. All of the crazy angles and impractical designs that I read and study in books came alive before my eyes and it was amazing to walk through this space and see live architecture. The walls and floors seemed to cut straight into the sky and pierce its blueness with confidence and strength. I can see why the building intended as a residence failed, but the idea that I was simply in the presence of a living and well known architecture was all that mattered. Next we went to a very traditional Austrian coffee house where it is no rumor that the waiters are just straight out rude. Ajdin warned us that of this fact, but it was not until you saw their hostile and unwelcoming mannerisms, witness their lack of manners and see their conceitedness practically pouring out of them that I believed its unbelievable-ness.
Other than this fact, the food was good and the coffee was just what I needed to recover from our early morning start. So we headed to our next adventure to find architecture that not even Ajdin had seen in real life. We knew where it was, on what street and atop which building, but from the roads all we could see were some metal extensions. So with high hopes we went to the building across the street which was under construction and we asked the workers if we could go to the top of their building to see the other building across the way. They welcomed the request and took us instead on their elevator outside (normally used to getting materials to the roof) to the very top so we could see the amazing architecture that was perched on the other side of the street. The angles and materials were eye capturing and it was one of the best experiences I have had my whole trip. The ride up, the seeing of the architecture, and the kind men that allowed it all to happen made my day.
The next architectural structure on our list of things to see was only a few stops away on the tram, which we rode still smiling from our previous experience. This time we ventured into a very new hotel that held a restaurant/café at the top with a 360 degree view of the city. Again, upon entering, we were amazed with the details that had gone into the design from everything from the walls to the ceiling, the stairs, handrails and sinks in the bathroom. We took in the structure and the view it provided while enjoying a coffee in the café. Vienna was a beautiful city and a much larger city than I had expected. It was filled with much more architecture, many more parks and even more cranes than I had seen while walking on the streets.
After the war Vienna’s population had greatly decreased, but now it was building up and building out to be even bigger and better. I cannot imagine what it will be like in a few years but I know that I have no choice but to return to figure it out. We then made our last stop of the day at Sisi’s Palace (who was a princess in earlier times who people loved for her personality and knew her for the all of the drama that occurred in her life). The palace was so elegant and as we entered the gates the sun seemed to lightly kiss each detail beautifully. I felt so insignificant walking beside such a grand structure and I just breathed in its wonder as we walked through the gardens and paths and saw fountains, statues, and more royal infrastructure. What it would be like to live in this palace I have no idea, but I do know that it must have been such a privilege to walk peace and tranquility in the form of a garden.
I waved goodbye to the palace as I saw it disappearing into the background as our car drove away to the far away Munich from where we had come. I loved and enjoyed my entire time here in the city and was glad to bask in its glory even if it was only for a few days. We returned to Ayline’s home to her awaiting parents and a German pancake dinner (this time it was similar to a crepe that was filled with vegetables, cheese or meat..or it was sweet with jam and sugar and wonderfulness). Filled, full and tired we headed to bed exhausted from our great day and to rest for another last, but this time it would be our last day before we caught our plane and went home to Istanbul.
Our last day contained an expedition to the BMW world building. The architecture…amazing, the cars….unreal….the experience itself was so very unique. Ayline could not believe that we do not have car worlds such as this in Canada. We watched someone receive the car they purchased; the car was driven in by a professional, parked on a revolving circle for when the owner came to get the keys and claim the car that they then sit in, start up and drive home. It is just as much about the experience of receiving your car as it is actually purchasing it. I also was able to play many driving video games on multiple televisions throughout the complex. It was probably the closest experience I will have to ever drive/own my own BMW and so I drove as fast and as long as I could…before a child asked me if he could have a turn.
We took in our last little bit of sunshine just outside of the building and soaked up the architecture of what I used to think only existed in my dreams. Then we loaded up the car and headed to the airport. I waved bye to the green grasses and the good times from the plane window only to arrive to a cold and rainy Istanbul a few hours later. I just keep telling myself that I only have a week left in this crazy city before I travel and discover and enjoy more of Europe. So I plan to enjoy every second, walk slowly on the busy streets and appreciate my pale skin…because soon it will all be a thing of the past; a thing I will cherish in memories.

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