i realized that Vienna was waiting for me. thanks, Mr. Joel.

Despite popular belief, I haven't forgotten about writing in this. In fact, it is quite the opposite. I am doing....research.... for future posts. Obviously. Okay, that is kind of a lie (but notice it only kind of is). In all honesty, I would never purposely ignore you. I did that once (only it was on accident) with my fish and my roommate killed it. Thanks, Emily. I don't even know why we are still friends. Anyways, let's get back to the subject at hand. I know you are all so concerned with what I have been up to.

Two weekends ago I went to Vienna. Vienna is special to me for a few reasons. First, it was actually my second choice for study abroad. Just think, I could be writing this from Vienna and not Milan. Oh, the possibilities! Second, I am practically entirely made up of Germanic genes, meaning that area of the world was probably once my homeland. My family could have owned all of it. You never know! Third, Austrians love me. No more explanation is needed because who really doesn't love me? I am just well-liked. It must be in my genes. Lastly, some people who I basically consider family raved about it. But I bet you are so sick of listening to my narcissistic self so I will move on to giving you a few details on what Vienna has to offer a silly American such as myself.

I was lucky to have another dear friend give me a list of the must-sees and -dos in Vienna. Sarah studied there last semester and so I figured she would have a good handle on things. Let me just say, the list was amazing. There were little tid-bits that made me giggle and miss her like crazy. (I haven't seen her in like a year, okay?) Our hostel receptionist was also super helpful in giving us places to go. Here is just a brief overview on some of the things we did on this fateful excursion:

• Stephansdom: This was in the city center and the most well-known church of Vienna. There were lots of street vendors around here and all the streets that sprouted from here housed tons of different types of shops.

 

 

• Mozart House: We didn't go in, just saw it and took a picture of the outside because it was super early in the morning and I don't care about him that much to pay to see where he lived. Sorry, Mozart.
• Stratsoper (The Opera House): It was pretty cool. We took a tour of it on Sunday because we were freezing and had pretty much seen everything on Saturday so we needed something to occupy our time and keep us warm. It isn't as cool as the La Scala - Milan's Opera House - but it was cool to go backstage and learn how they do things.

 

This is one of the rooms inside that can be rented out for a mere few thousand euro for just a few hours!

• Rathaus (The first time I read this I laughed thinking it was a rat house like for the rodents. Silly me!): Our hostel told us that they were having some stuff going on because it was the Christmas season. There was a Christmas market right outside there and they had this giant Advent calendar along the building that was really cool. Other than walking around admiring all the goodies they were selling, we (of course) got a pretzel along with other goodies. Everyone was drinking hot punch in these cute mugs. Basically, you put a deposit in for the cup and if you don't return the cup, you don't get your money back!

• Hofburg (one of the imperial palaces): This building is huge! Not going to lie about that one. One of the girls really wanted to see something inside on the places. We went. We got to see what was supposedly part of Jesus' cross as well as a bunch of old crowns and robes from back in the day. I bet they were super heavy to wear. I wanted to put one on, but I didn't want to go to jail so I restrained myself.

• Sigmond Freud Park: We ate some cheddar cheese there because Italy doesn't believe in it and we found it at the grocery store. We had to have it. But don't worry we also ate some apfelstrudel and Sachertorte. These are kind of a must if you visit Austria!

Sachertorte: Chocolate Torte with some type of filling

• Schonbrunn: This was one of the summer imperial palaces like Versailles. Only this time it was so cold and it started drizzling on us which was slightly a buzz kill. It made us sad so we didn't get to stay too long. I could totally see that place being an awesome place to walk around in the spring and summer with all the flowers blowing.

 

• Haas & Haas: This place was recommended as having some of the best hot chocolate. We decided since it was cold and gross on Sunday we would stop in. She was right. It was pretty fantastic. Yumm!
• 1516: This was a little pub that Sarah suggested. She said they had some of the best burgers and beer and we HAD to try it out. So we did! We got to watch some soccer - love watching that - and American college football also ended up coming on! - Michigan vs Ohio State. A little slice of home is always appreciated by places like that. I highly suggested checking it out if you ever visit Vienna. And don't worry, other Austrian delights were consumed over the course of our trip.

All in all, I really liked what Vienna had to offer. It was a nice change of piece from the Italian architecture that I had become accustomed to. (What am I going to think when I get back to America? Yikes.) It was a fun experience and I am so glad I went!

In regards to last week's Thanksgiving adventure, it was what I like to call "Ghetto Thanksgiving". I say this mostly for one reason: we used canned, boxed, or precooked everything. It was made in probably less than a half hour. Classy, guys. Actually, it was pretty good for a Thanksgiving in Italy. We had corn, beans, chicken, mashed potatoes, wine, pie, bread, and maybe some other things. Either way, I definitely overate and was thankful that I had visited the gym earlier that day. I am just glad it all worked out okay! Yay for American traditions in other countries! It was so interesting to see some many other Americans having their own Thanksgiving dinners and inviting those from other countries as well. Everyone wanted to get in on the action.

Tomorrow, I am leaving for Naples, Pompeii and Capri (an island right off of Naples). I am so excited! Mostly that excitement is for Pompeii and Capri. Naples has a few cool things too, but not as much. I am sure you have read news articles about that wonderful city. Don't fret, my worried followers! I will be super safe and there are plenty of us (boys and girls) so we will stay together and protect each other from mafia crazies. I highly doubt I am of any value to them unless my family is secretly involved in Italian mafia relations which I highly doubt (because we aren't a lick of Italian so that wouldn't make much sense). 

Until next time, stay happy, safe, and excited to hear from me again!

P.S. Here is a video I forgot to put up in the Spain post. It is a band playing in the streets of Madrid when we were there. They were pretty good! Check it out for yourself: