First days in Vienna...

I arrived safely to Vienna Saturday evening after over 24 hours of traveling. (Oy!) My flights were great. On the overnight plane, I had two whole seats to myself, so I slept quite a bit actually. Plus I was by the window, so I got some beautiful shots of the sky. I saw the sun set and then rise about 3 or 4 hours later. After dark, I opened the window to find the Big Dipper right beside me. So pretty! Once I landed in Budapest, things were a little rough. I suppose the realization that I was/am 6000 miles from home for four months hit me like a brick in the face then. I met my driver, who spoke very little English. That was a bit of a challenge, but we made it thru. He took me to the train station and tried to help me figure things out, but it didn't go so well. Before I knew it, he was trying to explain something that I obviously had no idea what he was talking about and then left me standing in the middle of the station. Short story of the station: I wandered around aimlessly for awhile before finding someone who could speak English to tell me where to get a ticket (at which point a kind old French man and I figured out the system together...somehow the language barriers were not an issue then.), ended up with sparkling water...not still..., wandering around trying to figure out where the train is, etc. So that was my arrival experience. Three or so hours later I was with Katrin and Martin making my way to their flat. They have a rather tiny flat...a kitchen, bathroom, and one bedroom/living room...but it is very nice. By the time I got to them, though, I was rather overwhelmed and frustrated and just wanted a good cry, a hug, food, a shower, and a call home to let them know I had arrived safely. But all of that is behind us now. Vienna is beautiful! I love it! Ich liebe Wien! I think I could definitely live here! hehe! I slept till nearly 11am (Vienna time) the past two mornings! Probably not so good for fighting jet lag! but oh well.

Gratitude 2

I am thankful for these young fellows for reminding me of the reason I have been brought to Europe for...music and my love and passion for the art. On my first day in Vienna, Katrin and Martin took me on a little tour of the city after brunch. We walked a bit, I rode my first subway, and we also rented bicycles for an hour. (And this time, no, I did not fall off!) I love European bikes with their little bells and baskets. hehe! We rode around Stadtpark and saw a statue of Johann Strauss, smelled roses in another park, saw street musicians...Hungarian ones at that! (see picture above)...and after they had told me they do not really have street musicians anymore...but there were four or so places we saw them. The Hungarians were brilliant! So passionate and genuine! They showed me many wonderful places that I am excited to go to and explore. They made me get some chocolate wafers called Manner. It was pretty good. It makes me giggle how much Mozart is made out like a pop star! His face is everywhere...and so is he! People dress up like him! Him and Strauss, anyway. We wandered down some little allies and ended up on a street ironically titled "Singerstraße," singer's street. On this street, we stumbled upon an old residence of Mozart. How cool! It's like I said, these are the places where it [the music] all began. And now, I get to discover what they left behind. (Reminiscent of National Treasure, no? hehe!) We eventually made our way back to the apartment, where I searched my guidebook, and they cooked supper. I had some yummy Austrian white wine. Mmm! I enjoyed it. After dinner, we got ready, and Martin, Katrin, and I went to see a broadcast of the opera La Fille du Regiment with Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Florez. (So handsome!) It was good but certainly not my favorite in the Bel canto repertoire. It was a little harder to follow for me, too, because it was in French with German subtitles. Oh, and there is this fabulous trio in Act 2 that I want to sing now! At the show, Katrin bought me a drink...a raspberry something or other. It had raspberries that had been frozen in it, and they acted as the ice cubes. It was very good. I told her my family would be very jealous that she gets to drink with me first. (Sorry, Dad...when I get home again!)

Gratitude 3

I am thankful for the beauty in the simplest of things. These candles I found in the Michaelerkirche (St. Michael's Church). Today, my second day in Vienna, I, again, woke up late. (I don't know what is up with me!) Martin and I ate brunch and then went a trek to get Katrin from work. We saw lots thru the city as we walked. We ate lunch in Naschmarkt...Turkish food, and then we wandered over to Burggarten by way of a coffee shop. From that point, I took off on my own for some exploration. I wandered around wondering if I would find my way, which I eventually did. For most of the time, though, I abandoned the map and explored the streets. I stumbled upon a book shop where I found a rare Maria Callas CD collection! I saw Michaelerkirche, which is where Mozart's Requiem was first premiered. Then, I discovered residences of Mozart and Beethoven!! By pure luck, too!! Beethoven's apartment was on the top floor of a long winding staircase...no wonder he was so grumpy! I would be too from all those steps and not being able to hear, either! It was a wonderful day of adventuring! I spent three hours wandering! I enjoyed it very much. Vienna is such a great city! (Although quite expensive!) We stopped at the market on the way home, where I got peanut butter, because they have it in Austria...just not Hungary for some reason, so the peanut butter I had to discard at the airport in Columbus because my bag was too heavy is now replaced. They made me Lebkäse for dinner, and Martin had me try beer for the first time, dark beer, that is. Kind of tasted like a cider. Well, off to bed...early start tomorrow. I will post more pictures when I have more time. And Salzburg may not happen anymore right now. :( Too much money. Oh, well. I'll still have fun in Vienna.