Left the college relatively early to catch my flight to Wien today. I got to the airport (gatwick) way too early and had to wait three hours for my flight! Now that was a long time but what made it worse was the flight was delayed by an hour! I was already getting pretty edgy by this point becasue I had been sitting so long... Anyhows finally got to walk to the gate and get on the plane just to sit a little longer...
The best ahdn't come yet... When I thought I only had another 3 hours on the plane.. We sat on the tarmac for an hour and a half waiting for a new slot to take off. I seriously must be bad luck for everybody else who is trying to catch the same plane as me. I always seem to having issues at airports, one way or another. Anyway, took off, had the most turbulent flight, and arrived in the city of Wien. Caught the Express CAT train into the city and started wondering. Couldn't figure out how the streets worked - they were numbered as well as named - or where i was supposed to go so after about an hour, I had to ask.For those who know me, I don't like talking to strangers on my own (STRANGER DANGER!) so was a tad embarrassed. With directions, a tube ticket and some sense of where I was, I found my hostel in time and had a bit of dinner and a look around the area.I was able to order dinner and get what I wanted which is always good! Gnocci Pomodora. Went for a walk and found a church, it was just the beginning of some amazing buildings!
Decided to hit the sack early as I had lost so much of my first day, I wanted to get up early the next day.
Moday 4th June
Today started with a trip (accidentally) past Parliament. I didn't go in beacuse it looked like there were massive school groups and what not going on, but it was so pretty. Gold Leafed, lots of statues - obviously lots of stories.Went for a walk through Volkgarten and saw lots of buildings lead onto it including the Koftbergtheater and there were so many statues and a massive rose garden. Volkgarten overall was small but so pretty.
I then went for a walk through a heap of little streets (I was trying to find Am Hof - but not successful). Eventually I did a loop and ended up back at Koftbergtheater and saw Rathausplatz as well. Both, magnificently grand buildings! Inside Rathausplatz was an amatuer art amrket which had some amazing pictures!
Koftbergtheather
Rathausplatz
I then walked towards the Rooseveltplatz which I sure would have been amazing but it had so much scaffolding with advertisement you couldn't see half of it. I continued and after looking for Am Hof again I decided to leave it and go towards Michaelplatz and Hofberg Palace.
Some massive buildings around here, a lot in sandstone and marble. They all have such intricate detailing and I am surprised by how much gold leaf there is on the buildings. All the engraving on the outside and painting/embroidery/work in general is just simply amazing. It makes our houses back home look boring. By now it was absolutely pouring down with rain so I went to buy myself an umbrella and found one that had this sign:
I laughed so hard in the shop when I saw this that people actually stopped and stared... oops :) As the rain continued to pour, I ran into the Albertina museum which had a display called 'Monet Bis Picasso'. I decided to check it out. Yes Mum, I went into an art gallery. :) For some reason being an international person and under 19, I got free entry. Yay me! I saw Monet, Picasso, Degas & Munch, and some other amazing people's work that I can't remember off the top of my head.
I then went off and just across the road was the Opera House, just in time for a tour.
Some facts you may not typically know:
- part of the building is origial, but most rebuilt after WWII when the place was bomed directly on the stage.
- The two architects both died before the first performance. One due to Tuberculosis, the other commited suicide after critics were puttin ghim down as the building apparently was not grande enough on the outside.
- there is one room which leads into the most elegant box in the house. It is known as the Emporer's Room as this was the place he would be during intermission and no one else was allowed. He often went into this room as he didn't particularly like Opera. He would start his night in the box as people came into the auditorium so they could see him and then once the performance had begun he would disappear into the room to have some tea.
- The Emporer's Room can be hired by the public for intermission but it costs €500 for the 20 minute intermission and people still need to get there, go and buy their drinks, come back, and then leave again to find their seats before the show starts again. So it's really only used for special ceremonies and occaisional conferences/receptions.
ROH
Entrance
Emporer's Room
One of the 4 waiting rooms/bar rooms that can hold 500+ people.
After sitting there for the best part of an hour I went to Peterskirche which was another massive Chapel. it was so full of engravings, gold leaf and pictures it was simply stunning. There was a service going on and I just couldn't help but listen to all the prayers - even recite some myself (when I could find my place in the service).
As it was getting close to 6pm I headed to a place called Weiner Stadtbrau where I got a Wiener Schnitzel, as I had been told by many I must seeing as I am in Austria. I also ordered a Wiener Apfelstrudel but they didn't have any in so decided to get that at another point.
It has been an absolutely amazing trip and I haven't even mentioned the Hostel yet! Westend City Hostel - cheap but really nice. Definitely worth the recommendation. Slightly out of the main city but within short tube/tram ride of all the main areas in town.
Lots of thinigs I didn't get to see in Vienna but there is always next time eh. national History Museum, National Library, Schloss Schonbrunn, Ferris Wheel in Prater, Mariatretzplatz, (have a proper look at) Heldenplatz, Karlzplatz, and the castle which is slightly out of town.
Tuesday 5th June
I decided very late last night that i wasn't going to catch the first train to Prague as I still wanted to see a few things. So woke up and headed towards the National History Museum as I couldn't seem to find it yesterday. Turns out I was standing right behind it. But the silly thing is, it was closed... on a TUESDAY! Anyways...
Saw everything in that area without the rain and headed back to get my bags and go to the train station. I got my Apfelstrudel here and got on the train. I was in a compartment with a lovely Czech couple and even though we did not speak the same language we got the drift of each others conversations and thoughts and laughed all together. This is why I love language.
I got into Praha and it took kme about 45 mins to find my hostel and when I got there I met a Ukrainian who lives in Poland and she gave me a 20 minute walk to give me bearings. On the way back to the hostel I got some dinner and had an early night.
