Wilkommen in Wienerland!

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Vienna- land of sprawling boulevards, Freud, cafes, museums, and wienerschnitzel. My first real journey to "Western Europe" (Greece didn't count- Athens was at the same level as Budapest, except more expensive.)

Everything was cleaner, the trains contained more glass than metal per square inch-not really necessary, because although they look sleek, they cost 3 times as much. Whereas in Romania, Bulgaria, and to a lesser extent Hungary only the centers were well preserved, almost all the buildings I could see in Vienna looked like they were from the 19th century, and with trim facades as well. We went to see some massive churches, like the Karlskirche that looked more like a temple made from a different culture, and the huge St. Stevie's cathedral, which was very Gothic.

There was lots of tourists, which I was getting used to in Budapest, and things were more expensive. It is hard to describe the bitter disapointment of spending 10 euros at a sub-par chinese restaurant- when you ordered rice, they gave you a little cup. And probably my least favorite thing about Europe- I like to drink soda, and when you spend 2.70 for a quarter of a liter of Fanta, it rips me apart. 1/4 of a liter means that if you take more than two little sips before your meal comes, you're toast. And no free water, either. That is "mineral wasser" and it costs the same as Fanta. But I guess the cheap bread makes up for it.

The best thing about Vienna was the modern art museums we went to- both in the MuseumsQuartier, the MUMOK (an Austrian Acronym) and the MuseumsKunst. In the MUMOK was a great exhibition called "Why Photos Now?" that was four floors of really interesting photography, I wish that I had taken the class in high school. There was also an exhibit on Psychedelic art from the 60's and 70's- if you stared at some of the screens long enough, you were carried away to a different land...

Sam and I couldn't find a hostel in time so we booked an apartment for cheaper than a budget hotel, with a fridge and a balcony- and a tv, on which was shown the 2006 WORLD CUP FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH, France vs. Italy. We were for France, but alas, it wasn't to be... I really got into the World Cup this year, I'll miss watching and talking about the matches.

It was also weird to think that Vienna used to be capital of an empire that stretched from southern germany to Serbia. Down with Imperialist Monarchists! Today, the Hofburg palace is a lot of big courtyards, that only tourists go to see...

One little thing- if you are on the main touristy street in Vienna, and you find the grumpy guy with the little ice cream cart, not the big one, order the banana. IT TASTES LIKE REAL BANANA! I was shocked, it was the little thing that makes your day.

Okay, this is ridicuolous, I promise that I'll upload pictures soon, its just that every time, something conspires against it...

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Photos

No more Empires
Just McDonalds two blocks away.

Teutonic Efficiency
Clean, crisp lines line the city.

The Karlskirche
What were they thinking

Comments

[Lizzy]

psychedelic!
Oh wow, that sounds like it'd be a blast! haha, who needs weed when you have art?! :D sounds like you're having an awesome time, and i'm still so jealous!!! can't wait to see the pictures!! ~lizzy

[Molly]

mmmm...banana ice cream...
Vienna sounds gorgeous! I know it may seem expensive, but that is how those modern and touristy places are these days. Thanks for posting some pictures! And I'm glad you were able to watch the final world cup...there is so little excitement surrounding it here. On a side note: I have also been fortunate enough to have tasted European homeade ce cream -- the best you will ever find. My favorite (I recommend it if you can find it) is honeydew-flavored ice cream. Have fun and keep us updated! Molly