Vienna: Art, Architecture, and Archaeology

    I've just returned from a trip to Austria's capital city; Vienna. We did and saw so much that it would be a drag for me to give you a detailed account of each activity. Instead, I decided to break the trip up into multiple posts. Each post will focus on a specific topic that I found interesting while I was there, including architecture, Vienna's musical heritage, archaeology, art, culture, and other things. 

   But here is a brief rundown of how it went; We arrived on Sunday and left on Wednesday. Essentially, we were there for three full days. In that time I visited/saw the Belvedere Castle and the interior art museum, the Cathedral of Karlskirche, The House of Music Museum, Schonnbrunn Schloss and the exterior gardens, coffee house, zoo, and greenhouse, the Albertina Art Museum, parliament, the Spanish Riding School, Saint Stephen's Cathedral and its catacombs, the National Library, The Ephesus Museum, The State Opera House, an amusement park plus a wax museum, and finally Kunsthistorisches Museum. So... it was a lot. 

   It pains me to admit it, but it is true that there are only so many churches and palaces you can see before they won't all strike awe into you every time, but that doesn't mean they weren't all beautiful. However, I think Salzburg will leave a lasting impression because it was my first exposure to European cities. 

   I've bruised my feet from all the walking. That is probably my fault since I didn't wear the best walking shoes, but hey, my outfits looked great. No regrets. Here are a couple small stories that I don't think will make it into any of the other posts but I still think they deserve an honorary mention.

1. I screamed my lungs out on a carnival ride. My friend, Makena, told me that it was the hardest she'd ever laughed in her life. But in my defense, the little seat belt clip had slipped out of its place while I was hanging upside down, twenty feet in the air, so I think my screams were valid. (The harness didn't budge, and it never would have even without the clip, but that didn't mean it wasn't scary.)

2. I had a few clumsy moments. Me and a friend almost walked out of the emergency exit for the entire main train station. But in our defense, usually, the kind of exit signs you post on a door aren't colored a lovely, inviting, emerald green. I also forgot to pay for my food once. I got confused because the guy just handed me my tray and walked off. I'm so used to eating at the cafeteria that I just walked off too. But in my defense, my friend had just spilled a mango lasse all over the floor so I was distracted. Lastly, I had a train door close on my face. BuT In My DEfenSe, I've seen those doors take out experienced Europeans. They wait for no man. 

And here is a random photo dump. Also, shout out to my sister because today is her birthday and she deserves to know how special she is. 💕

Tiramisu again!

Haydn's great surprise!
(there are two puns at play in this photo and caption.
Points to you if you get them both. :)

A pretty rose. 🌹 


Keegan with a wedding veil on.
No context is needed.

Candid shot.


Belvedere Schloss

The school the day we left

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