We opted this morning for an unusual tour that was called 'Up Close and Personal.' We walked from the ship to a nearby Underground Station and took the subway into the center of the city. We exited near the State Opera House. I loved the restrooms in the subway station. Painted in faux opera galleries and scenery, opera music is playing beautiful from within! Vienna is like most big cities---it is a big city. The difference is, that because of its neutrality, it has remained relatively unharmed over centuries. There is a memorial to Jews massacred in World War II and to the people killed in the collapse of a safe bunker during that war.
Mostly it is an homage to the opulence of monarchial power. Each building is more magnificent than the other. Each palace larger, whiter, more covered with stucco lace than the one before. Rodeo Drive holds no comparision to the shops of Coal Market Street. Coffee Houses serve famous caffeine concoctions to relaxed citizens and tourists alike. Shops do not open until 10 am and cars and trucks are banned from the shopping streets after that hour. Deliveries are complete and it becomes an exciting pedestrian promenade.
We visited St. Stephan's Cathedral. The facade is in the cleaning process, so cleverly designed photos replicate what it would be like, so that the scaffolding is hidden. We found the same thing when we went out to Schonbrunn Palace after lunch. Maria Thersia inherited the kiingdom and ruled for 40 years. She married the love of her life who was crowned emperor but knew that he was a figure head and indicates this in every protrait by subtley pointing to her. She did find time to have 16 children and these intermarried with most of the ruling heads of every European country. Hapsburgs are throughout the ruling heads of state 'til this day.
The rooms were opulent and magnificent, the crowds were overwhelming, the gardens cost extra. Definitely worth the trip and would not have missed it but might have liked to do it at my own pace. Our guide however was very good about answering all my questions and someone actually asked if I was a teacher. They said I seemed 'so interested' in everything I think they meant I ask so many questions everywhere we go!
Dinner was a Vienna Feast. Those who chose to go to the Mozart - Stauss Concert ate an hour early so I took advantage of the time to update this blog. We then had a delightful Vienesse dinner of Schnitzel and the Emperor's Souffle. This was like waffle pieces, ice cream, and applesauce. When our Canadien friends, Helga and Heinz, return from the opera we are going to share some apple and also apricot streudal that Madeline bought at the most beautiful pastry shop on Stephansplatz this afternoon!
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