Vienna Vienna Vienna!!

I’m not even sure where to begin explaining things about this weekend! From start to finish, I had am absolutely AMAZING time in VIENNA, AUSTRIA! Our weekend started before the crack of dawn on Friday morning. We booked a bus to Vienna that left Prague at 6am, causing us to crawl out of the Pension in the pitch dark at 5am. I didn’t get much sleep the night before, and I can honestly say that I don’t remember a single thing about the 5 hour bus ride there. I slept the entire way, which is an absolute miracle! Buses are not normally my prime venue for a solid sleep session. There were eight of us going, but for some reason Kimberly, Elizabeth and I got switched to the early bus, and once we arrived in Austria and realized that our directions to our hostel were left with the later bus. As the bus rolled away and I stared at the unfamiliar buildings that surrounded me, I silently wanted the bus to return and take me back. We had NO clue what we were doing or where we were, and I was still trying to orient myself from my deep bus slumber. I noticed there was a bank on the corner and suggested we go take out some Euros. While we were there, we asked for help and the nicest lady printed out a map and very detailed directions that took us to our hostel! We were shocked and giddy with excitement to have had such a positive encounter with a perfect stranger. It was in this bank where our love affair with this city began!

(My very first hostel!)

We easily found the hostel Ruthenstiener, rested for 5 minutes, and then hit the streets exploring!!

Maybe it was because I have already conquered Prague’s transportation system, but Vienna’s was so easy! We zipped around like we had been there for years. We headed over to the Schonbrunn Palace, and toured its grounds. This palace was the summer vacation palace for the imperial family. Napoleon and Marie Antoinette stayed here, and Mozart performed the first time in public at the age of six!

(Our attempt at a royal pose)

We then walked around to the back and strolled through the gardens. Though most of the plants were brown and the ground was mainly slush, it was still gorgeous. I cannot imagine the magnificence of this place is the summer months! It must be breathtaking!

 

Touring the inside of the palace was one of my favorite things I have done so far. It was so neat to see how the people of the palace lived, and to learn the history that this walls hold. Every room was ridiculously elaborate and wonderfully beautiful.

 

After many hours of touring and exploring, we met up with the rest of our group for one of the most interesting and entertaining dinners I have experienced in a while!

 

The owners Gary and Ignes were so friendly, but talked out ears off! It was so fun meeting up with the rest of the group though. It felt like family meeting up to share the day’s events. Since we were only going to be in Vienna for 48 hours, we had to see the most we could, so right after dinner we were out on the streets again for more exploring!

 

I woke up Saturday morning just knowing that it was going to be a good day! Afterall, we were going to the ZOO and I absolutely LOVE zoos!!! I have always found animals so fascinating, and when I read that this zoo was voted “Europe’s Best Zoo in 2010,” I knew I had to go!

 

I was in heaven all morning long, as we saw animal after animal after animal!

 

We arrived at the seal tank just as they were being fed. It was such a hilarious sight to see. All of us were roaring with laugher as the seals flopped for food and burped for the finale.  It was quite the sight to see!

 

We spent hours looking around the zoo…

 

We even found the WOLFPACK!!!

 

And an albino peacock roaming freely around the streets…

 

We have to pull ourselves out of the zoo, because we could have easily spent ALL DAY there! It was also especially exciting, because it was finally “warm” outside with a high of 42, so we were able to enjoy being outdoors! We next made it to Vienna’s City center and walked through Stephensdom Church.

 

We then spent the rest of the day roaming the streets and taking in the sparkling views!

 

I even found a horse to pet!

 

And grass to lay in!

 

We also found the cutest bakeries to find rest in.

 

By the end of the day we were all so exhausted, yet extremely content will the amount of the city we were able to experience! All eight of us were sound asleep by 11:30.

 

Everything about the city was dazzling. The buildings, shops, museums, restaurants, people (especially the people) were wonderful and very comforting. The city made me want to learn German, and move there! I was kind of surprised at how much I liked Vienna, and how I have not experienced those same feelings for Prague. As I began to really think about this, it all started to sink in. Prague has been free from communism for about twenty years but the aftermath is still very much present. Many of the people are still living in fear and doubt with not much hope for the future. Before leaving Prague, I just figured that the coldness of the city was European culture in general. As I was walking the streets of Vienna though, I quickly realized that the magnitude of Prague’s darkness isn’t all over Europe. Just five hours away, Vienna sits with a different history and a completely different feel.

It is so interesting how the group mentality has really affected me while being in Prague. Visiting Vienna made me realize that I have stopped smiling in the metro, and have quite saying “excuse me” as I move through the grocery store or up the escalator. It is rare to catch a smile from a passerby, and I have now found it rare for me to give one away. L Vienna also made me aware of how few children I encounter on a daily basis here in Prague. There were so many happy children filling the streets of Vienna. Their smiles and laughter carried so much joy it was contagious! While talking with a Czech native I found out that The Czech Republic’s population is decreasing due to people not wanting to have children. I hope I am not making it seem like everyone in the Czech Republic is miserable. There are very nice and very happy people here, but it is also very apparent that there is a darkness that holds this city tightly.

When I got home on Sunday evening, my friend Amaris and I went to church at Bridge Community. This is a church that has recently been planted by a team that was originally from RALEIGH, NC! What a small world! After church we went out to dinner with the team. It was such an encouragement to be surrounded by such a positive and uplifting community. Apparently ministry is very difficult here, and they and the city could use many prayers.

Here is also an interesting link to a site that my home church recently posted about the Czech Republic.

http://equip.summitrdu.com/equip/wednesday-world-prayer-czech-republic.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+summitequip+%28equip%29

I think it is fitting that because I went to a zoo, I should give my favorite fascinating animal fun fact! Here it is: penguins have eyelids that convert salt water into fresh water!!