Days 18 - 21
Vienna was my favorite of all the places I traveled in Europe. There were many factors to this. First, the hostel was amazing, as well as the people that were staying there with me. Even though we were all only there for a few days, we hung out afternoons and nights. Also, Lily, the owner, was really great. Second, the city has that old world feel that I really love. It had all the old buildings and cobbled stones and everything you get in such an old place. Also, it had the feel of an old city. Just like with Paris, you can feel the history in this place, and that really attracts me to a place. I love imagining all the people that must have walked those streets. Finally, and probably most importantly, my favorite part was getting the chance to go to the Spanish Riding School as well as have a front seat view of a performance there. All my life, I've been riding horses and interested in everything to do with them. I almost became a veterinarian just because of my love for horses until I decided that Aerospace Engineering was a better fit for me. One of my favorite memories of my childhood was watching the Disney movie, Miracle of the White Stallions. Even this past Fall, before coming to Belfast to study, I took a horseback riding class with a friend and our presentation was on the Lipizzan breed of horses, the horses used at the Spanish Riding School and in that movie.
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| Vienna's "Giant" Ferris Wheel |
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| Danube River |
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| Danube Tower |
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| That building under construction is going to be awesome. |
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| Trampolines in the river! |
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| St. Stephen's Cathedral |
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| Horse drawn carriages are a popular form of transportation (especially for tourists) in the center of Vienna because of it's small, old time streets. |
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| St. Stephen's Cathedral
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| Vienna Opera House |
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| Vienna Opera House
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| Vienna Opera House
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One night I went to see an opera with some other people also staying in the hostel where I was (two Australians, one Canadian, and one German). We went to see Werther. We were a little late to see the first act, but we saw the rest (in French). It was great to see an opera in such an ancient Opera House! Especially after all the years I've spent at opera houses and theatres in Tennessee watching operas. A link to the synopsis is
here.
