Good evening everyone, welcome to Weekend Update, I’m Val Bowman and it’s currently 21:45pm in Austria.
Bright and early Saturday morning the streets of Vienna saw an eager group of college kids refreshed by their first sleep and breakfast in their hostel. Trucking their way along towards the Hofsburg Palace, they eventually are, indeed, able to find their way inside for their tours of the Royal Silver Collection, the Sisi Museum, and the Imperial Apartments
Though not many pictures were able to be taken due to the vast amounts of people and lack of being allowed to take pictures at all, above you can see a few highlights. One of the most majestic and grand pieces in the silver collection that literally held thousands of spoons that emperors ate off of, this centerpiece is just one example of how ‘extra’ these people were. Next is a dress with an impossibly tiny waist (unrealistic body expectations am I right?) that belonged to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, Sisi, in the museum in which visitors can learn of the tragic story of the eclectic empress. Finally is a picture of yours truly posing outside the building that holds it all, because photos were not allowed in the Imperial Apartments. I did get to see where royal people went to the bathroom and had dinner, so that was cool.
Next the students hiked over to the St. Stephens Cathedral, where they were SUPPOSED to get a tour of the catacombs. Unfortunately, the catacombs were not open because of a wedding happening in the St. Stephens, but at least dead souls were still on display. More on the St. Stephens later.
Following this attempt, a group of young ladies took off to see what trouble they could get in. They found themselves at a restaurant, but with it being on the fancy side of town with expensive food, most of them just got a drink and took cute pictures. We will not disclose what’s in the cup. Now in a very happy mood, they decided to explore the next door botanical gardens/butterfly house. It was all a very beautiful way to spend an afternoon, and I’m sure the classy Europeans on the fancy side of town were staring at this group of girls laughing as hard as they could.
We take a brief pause in our very serious recap of events to explain this strange picture that was snapped. Apparently a local man was having a bachelor party in which he and his groomsmen went around town to see how many girls would either kiss him on the cheek or slap him in the face. It seems Val Bowman chose slap. Moving on.
I’ve always said that if I have some bread, tomato, and cheese, I can make and enjoy a wonderful meal, and that’s exactly what happened at the nearby local market. A watermelon was also purchased, and finding a knife to cut said melon was quite the adventure, as was eating it.
The velvet scrunchie in my hair was enough to reach the level of the velvet dresses on ladies sitting in the front row at the Vienna Opera House, right? No? Regardless, we sat and saw Don Pasquale, a surprisingly funny and witty opera. For many it was their first opera, and we wanted to commemorate the moment with a picture on the opera house stairs, though we were quickly scolded by ushers that the house was closing and we must take our picture quickly and move along. Totally worth it. (Look at how pretty my friends are!!)
Ah, finally, the last hurrah of the day. The lovely ladies found themselves at a restaurant just across the street from the opera house, where they were served pizza and wine by a… particularly attractive… waiter. Unfortunately he spoke very little English, but they sure did laugh with him a lot.
The group was back at it again bright and early this morning, Sunday, where they happened to be having breakfast in their hostel at the same time as a middle-school-aged Russian soccer team. It was a lot so early in the morning. They still were able to leave early and hop on the Underground system (just like subways in the US) to head towards the Schönbrunn Palace, the summer home of the royal family who’s regular palace was toured the previous day.
A photo series titled “Pretending to be Cool on the Steps of the Palace.” Please click images for a closer view.
Once again, pictures were not allowed inside the castle/palace/fancy house, so some cute pictures were taken outside. A lovely day for lovely girls and a lovely castle. A delightful tour highlighted by seeing the ROOM WHERE MOZART GAVE HIS FIRST PIANO CONCERT AT AGE SIX. Brittney and Val had to hold themselves back from absolutely screaming inside this subdued environment. There was also a room as small as a bathroom but as tall as a ballroom completely decorated in black with gold trip and it was quite the aesthetic, and I still have many questions as to what was the purpose of this little room.
Ahh, the royal gardens. I may be a phony news reporter, but I am at a loss for words. Miles and miles of perfectly manicured greens, gardens, orchards, hedges and hedge mazes. A gal could get lost in all this.
The afternoon was spent discovering a lovely little café/restaurant before roaming around a suburban neighborhood. The habit of long meals filled with conversation and relaxation in Europe seems to be catching on. Probably a good thing, as it means less technology at the table and more enjoyment of company.
And then, alas, a tell that these very American girls might actually not be from Europe: getting lost on the tram system. (don’t worry mom, we were perfectly fine, but we did end up riding the tram system for a solid hour and a half.) Honestly, a delightful way to see the city, and at this point legs were beginning to feel like jello, so a little sitting around never did anyone any harm.
FINALLY. CATACOMBS.
Once again, pictures were not allowed, though we seemed to have gotten hold of this one somehow… hmmm… If anyone can tell me what this Latin says it would be much appreciated.
Haunting and eerie yet fascinating and exciting, I think everyone was a little scared by how intrigued I was to be seeing these bones. Information that the bones were stacked up neatly by slaves during the Bubonic Plague, baby sized coffins, and vessels full of intestines; damp brick hallways, decrepit gargoyles, and musty dirt floors. I really do think I should ask someone why I find this all so interesting.
The catacombs represent the end of our planned day; the rest was filled with naps, laundry in sinks, another trip to the market for more bread and tomatoes as the ladies filled themselves up so they had equal amounts of happiness and carbs in their bodies. Signing off at what is now 22:55pm Austrian time, I’m Val Bowman with your Weekend Update.
My apologies for the corny and loooonnnnggg newscaster report (I hope someone gets the SNL reference)((also my lovely habit of going in and out of 2nd and 3rd person)). I am currently very slaphappy and equally sleep deprived, so I will be calling it a night shortly. Tomorrow we leave the city for the country, and our week-long theatre workshop. I’ve loved so much being able to blog frequently, but I cannot promise the same in the upcoming week; I’ll do my very best. My heart is happy y’all.
Love Always, Val
Val's Voyage 