Vienna, a City with Culture and Sturm

Well, we have blitzed Vienna and checked her out thoroughly. She is beautiful and, more importantly, tried her best to teach us about Viennese life.

Schonbrunn Palace - Vienna's answer to Versailles

We checked out both royal palaces and were surely impressed. The first one was Schonbrunn Palace which was similar to Versailles. But more accessible. The comparison is apt considering it was built (mostly) by the mother (Marie Theresa) of Marie Antoinette. Bet the Momma was some pissed at the French after spending all that effort and money to spruce up the place. Good thing she had 13 more kids to marry off to other royalty of the time.

To show you how great the place was, check out the WC. Now I know how guys feel when they pee in the woods.



As for the comment that you want to see more pics of me, wouldn't be a problem ... except that every time that Mom tried to take a photo, she was almost run over by a horse and carriage or a train. I kept thinking of that song, "Grandma got run over by a Reindeer". See example below:

Schonbrunn Palace - front entrance

Moving on to the Hofburg Palace in the city, I couldn't believe how many different table settings there were. This is actually the first time that I saw more wine glasses than cutlery on a table. I like how the Austrians think.

We also learned about their famous Empress, Sisi. Her story is similar to Princess Di's but she lived longer. She was also considered the first lady to actively and vigorously try to maintain her beauty. Talk about obsessive. She had a physical workout that would put a Marine to shame. Her bedroom contained: a chin up bar, wooden ladder to pull herself up AND a set of gymnastic rings. Three hours a day! With a 20inch waist well into her 50's. She also loved chocolate and sweets. Eat your heart out Tyra!

We figured out how the Austrians control the gangs around here. They pipe opera music at night. If there is no opera on a given night, they replay one ona really giant Jumbotron screen. Difficult to be gangsta when you have to rap to Mozart's "Magic Flute" or his "Don Giovanni". It definitely give new meaning to night music. We are right on the main (take that to mean really expensive shopping area) drag and is quite interesting to watch the people. And the street musicians are mostly playing or singing classical music.

But best of all is the new wine called "Sturm". Mom loves it. Just like her Apfelwein and just as potent. One Sturm and she sleeps like a baby. We have been drinking Sturm most meals (except for breakfast) but today, I tried a white wine, Prosecco, with rose petals. Really good and you could smell and taste the rose petals. Guess that I'm going to be saving up my rose petals from now on.

We've been doing quite a bit of walking because it is faster than the trams and subways, and because it is all so close. The downside is that Mom gets quite tired and needs her afternoon nap. - even if we don't have a room. She slept today on a park bench. Just imagine, Nana puff, puff, puffing on a park bench with her little piggies wiggling in the breeze.

We were also wandering around the rose gardens today when we came upon the Fall Harvest Festival in front of the palace. Check out the ladies and especially their purses. Beats the heck out of those Saint Bernard dogs. Eat your heart out Big Dave.




Well it's time for us to gather up our bags (and chocolate) and head for the train.
Auf Wiedersehen, Vienna.