The week before Christmas, Rich and I took a weekend trip to Vienna. It's a trip we have always dreamed of taking together since we first started dating. Rich had been in Austria on his mission over 20 years ago and I had always wanted to see some of the places he went to while he was there.
Since we were in Vienna right before Christmas, there were lots of Christmas markets. Our favorite was the GIANT one next to the Rathaus (city government building). There were tons of people there especially at night. It was very chilly and everyone was standing around drinking Gluhwein (heated fruit flavored wine) and we found some Kinderpunsch (warm drink with all kinds of berries) and delicious hot chocolate with whipped cream.
We also went on the streetcars. Rich was an expert at finding his way around Vienna (even after all of these years) and knew which metro or subway to take to get anywhere we needed to go. I was pretty happy that I could talk in German with the people there (and they understood me!) I even got help to find the streetcar when I got lost and found my way back to the hotel on my one day alone in the city while Rich was at his business meetings. Plus, I ordered food at the grocery store deli. I love the meats, cheeses and delicious rolls (Semmeln) they have there! Perfect lunch & we did it one day we were on the go sightseeing.
He had a favorite restaurant for eating Viener Schnitzel and Cordon Bleu and we found it and it was as good as he remembered it (Isn't it nice when the good things in life are just as good as we remember them--they haven't changed?) This restaurant served food European style so whenever there is an open spot at a table, they sit you in with whoever is at the table already. I'd heard of European restaurants that do it, just had never experienced it myself. I really enjoyed it--we ate dinner with two different groups--a father and son from Salzburg, and a couple from Germany.
We also went to two Mozart-Strauss concerts that were amazing! One was in a Palace and the other in an old building that looked like a palace inside. I've always loved Strauss so this was a treat for me!
Our trip to Austria was difficult at best--we had to wait outside in the freezing cold for a bus to take us to our terminal after one of the bumpiest, cramped flights I've ever been on. I almost thought I would need a bag & I never get airsick! Compared to our flight back on Austrian with more legroom and delicious Austrian food on the way back. I know who I would want to fly with next time.
Can't wait to go back! Rich is going in January, but I need to save a few more pennies before I tag along again. We got the girls their own Adventshaus (Christmas houses) that they will love having in their own homes some day.
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| The Vienna Christmas Market at the Rathaus (city hall) |
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| The markets were so crowded (especially at night) |
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| The Rathaus lit up at night--beautiful! |
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| Sidewalk art |
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| I thought this bow is so pretty and at night all of the lights look so pretty on it! |
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| I read so many Goethe poems; writings studying to get my German Major, I just had to get a picture with him! |
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| This is the Hofburg Palace where we watched the Mozart Strauss concert |
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Schnitzelwirt for delicious Cordon Bleu!
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| They even had specially decorated Christmas street cars with a Saint Nicholas Inside |
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| I love these type of steeples on the churches in Europe (this one is in the street next to our hotel). |
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| We happened to see this little band while we were shopping one night playing Austrian carols wearing Traditional Austrian clothes |
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| The Cathedral was lit with many colorful lights inside. |
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| Large Christmas Tree in the main shopping area. |
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| It was really pretty shopping there at night "Christmas in the City" (just like my Dicken's Village)! |
