“Remember that one time we went
to the opera looking like backpackers and then got even more weird looks as we
made music videos on the cobblestone streets of the Theresien-Platz?”
It’s fun to
think of what this experience will have been a year, ten years, fifty years
from now. I can only imagine the conversations Megan and I will have beginning
with “remember the time…” followed with the most ridiculous, incredible
stories. Glimpses into memories that would feel completely surreal had we not both
been there to share them together.
Our weekend
in Vienna was a fine addition to the grand storybook of European adventures I’m
sure we’ll get to recount many, many times. Everything from the night at the
opera to my proposal at the open-air market left us with plenty of stories to
take home and share for years to come.
This will be a very condensed
version of our trip since I procrastinated for weeks on writing this.
Nevertheless, I will try my best to capture the feeling of the experience as if
it had just happened.
Vienna was
another of those fairytale towns with beautiful palaces and gardens and horse
drawn carriages, so naturally I loved it. Oh, and to top it off, Vienna is
known as the city of music. A very magical palace, indeed.
Our first actual
day in the city we went to Vienna’s very famous Naschmarkt. This colorful
outdoor market was exactly what I had envisioned as the typical European
grocery shopping experience. The entire street was lined with stands selling
everything from fresh fruits to smelly cheeses. Megan and I walked down the
street fascinated by the assortment of new foods and the enthusiasm of the
street vendors.
We were
lured with free samples of hibiscus flowers (so good!!!!) and white chocolate
covered coconut candies (delicious as well!). We were enticed by the little
bags of dried lavender and roses, decadent chocolate truffle displays, the
smell of hot food being served to the cold, hungry shopper passing by.
Megan and I
left the market with a couple of bags of assorted sweets including the coconut
candies, chocolate and vanilla covered almonds, and cinnamon cashews. I also
shook hands on a marriage proposal with one the street vendors who was
surprised that I wasn’t married yet. Super casual. Megan and I cracked up when
he yelled “I love you!” as we walked away with the bag of goodies he talked me
into buying.
Later that
afternoon, Fabio—a Portuguese guy from Ireland whom we met at the hostel—gave
us a tour of Vienna. He had been living in Vienna for a few months already, so
our tour was full of fun little facts about every building and monument.
Despite the barren winter gardens, Vienna wowed us with beauty at the turn of
each and every corner.
There’s a
BEAUTIFUL building near the Schonbrunn Palace that I think might be my favorite
building in all of Europe. It sits atop a grassy hill, ripples blurring its
reflection in the pond below it, rays of sun showering through the pillars, its
pale yellow color a reminder of warmer summer days. Not to mention, it totally reminds
me of TSwift’s “Love Story” music video. I’d like to go back in the spring when
the sun is warmer and just lay a blanket out on the grass to read a book or
have a picnic.
The next
day, Megan and I visited all the grand buildings we had to see in Vienna.
We also received a free ticket to an opera and ballet after explaining that we
would love to go but couldn’t afford to spend that much on a ticket. We happily
accepted the price of 15 euros each for seats in the furthest section and
proceeded to treat ourselves to cake at Demel, Vienna’s famous cake shop.
That night
we went to the opera dressed in the only attire we brought with us—warm but
very casual clothing. The theater was in a palace that turned out to be quite a
bit smaller than expected (I was thinking it’d be the equivalent to Pantages in
Europe), so it was a nice and cozy little concert. On the way back to the
hostel we made frequent stops to make music videos consisting of awful leaps
and fits of laughter. It was certainly a night to remember.
It rained
our last day in Vienna, which would have been perfect had the library not been
closed. To our disappointment we were unable to climb the ladders of the
floor-to-ceiling bookcases lining the walls. Or make music videos to the very
fitting Beauty and the Beast soundtrack. We ended our trip after sitting down
at a little café and having a cappuccino and some apple strudel, which is a
must in Vienna. A lovely way to end a wonderful trip in such a beautiful city.
Always,
Lisa & Megan
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