Vienna

vienna, the capital of austria, used to be the capital of most of europe under the reign of the hapsburgs, but beyond royalty and country capitals. it's an important place for classical music, opera and art. so when i ran away for thanksgiving, what better place to go. while i went to prague as an add on, i really wanted to experience vienna. the people are relaxed and very easy going, as a podcast put it, "we a country of ex-rulers of the world, we don't worry about taking care of everything, we just want a good espresso and to relax". i thought that was an interesting remark. how much of america's energy is put into taking care of things outside itself? as the only current dominant power, it has a lot of responsibilities (but that's another post for another time).

below are the most memorable images from my four days in vienna.

view on the train from prague to vienna


one of the many christmas markets that pop up all over the city during the holiday season


view from the national museum of one of the main christmas markets and another museum


a random street in the old quarter of vienna


view of the church


the national library at night


hot wine and powdered donuts at the christmas market!


the people's opera house, one of the four operas/ballets i saw in vienna


view of the state government building i think with a giant christmas market in front of it


dozen of glowing heart ornaments they put up in the trees
(they had one of candy canes and one of rocking horses too!)



riding on the tram, one of the few times i was inside the whole time there
(i was freezing most of the time)



man painting a reproduction at the national gallery (i think)


the famous wiener schnitzel, stuffed with ham and cheese
(this one was giant, 3x the size of my hand!!!)



the back of the national library
(long exposure to catch a passing car)


photo of the amazing leopold museum (egon needs a post soon)


braised beef with fried onions and potatoes
(so simple, but so delicious!)