Hello Vienna!

I'm in Vienna right now!


But let me start from the top...


Monday day: School.


Monday night: We had a great time a little bar within walking distance from the hotel. I don't know the Czech name, but translated into English, it's called "Shitty Cat." So that's what we call it. Great Monday night at studio, the hotel, and then the bar.


Tuesday day: School.


Tuesday night: Mardi Gras! What a day. There were events going on everywhere in Prague on Tuesday, and I stopped by one on the way back from studio. It was right by "our" metro stop in a large green space/public area. There were people dressed up in ridiculous costumes, others walking in costume on stilts, and even more dressed in glow-in-the-dark type costumes. It was quite a sight! Needless to say, this inspired us to spend a night on the town at a dance club. First, we had dinner and beers at the bar up the street, the ""Country Club American" bar. I had pasta with cooked spinach, cheese, and garlic. It was very good, especially for bar food.

When we got back to the hotel to get dressed up for the evening, it was apparent that everyone was in the mood to just let loose and have a good time. Many head garments we made, all of the ridiculous sort. There were fake paper dreads, a sewn-together golden headgarment, empty cardboard chocolate boxes worn as hats, undergarments worn on the head, and more. I taped a paper Pilsner Urquell coaster to a headband and wore sunglasses. After going to some bar (I was a follower, not a leader, on this night), we ended up staying at a small, underground dance club, with booming music, lots of laser lights, and excellent dancing. The best part was that there were lots of people with equally ridiculous costumes/masks already at the club when we got there. So it was a fantastic Mardi Gras, with an early (8am) start in the morning. I think we took the 2:53am 51 Tram back, but can't be sure...


Wednesday day: School.


Wednesday night: Stayed in, mainly did internet and chatted with the crew.


Thursday day: School.


Thursday night: Stayed in, mainly planning our schedule for SPRING BREAK IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA!


So we (myself, Ginnie, Lauren-Elle, and Rima) arrived in Vienna Friday morning, and what a fantastic two days it has been! . It started with a beautiful four-hour bus ride through the Czech countryside. It was a beautiful ride, and reminded me of the train ride to Cesky Krumlov.






















We have been to the Imperial Palace, where we saw the Silver Collection and the Imperial Apartments. This is where the royalty of the Hapsburg dynasty lived and ruled from. They lived an extravagent lifestyle, needless to say. Seeing their personal quarters and belongings was incredible, as was the entire Imperial Palace. It was definantly a memorable experience (they love gold!).

We stumbled upon a rally/picket on our exit from the Imperial Palace, although I'm not particularly sure what it was all about. Our best guess what that they were protesting genetically altered poultry. It was very interesting to be in the middle of a protest in a foreign country, to say the least.

We headed to the largest market in Vienna, Naschmarkt, after reading that on every Saturday, it showcased the diversity of the people in Vienna. It was a GIGANTIC market, in the middle of two busy streets, that featured several permanent structures. There were many restraunts, produce stands, clothing vendors, and all the other things you would expect. After about two city blocks, the market turned into a flea market, with no stands or structures; the "items" were just scattered on the ground. Many of the sellers looked to be in desperate times, and the things that they were selling... well, they weren't new. We stopped for lunch at one of the restaurants, where I had a LARGE meal. It had three parts: rice, salad (with LETTUCE!), and, the best part: lamb, pears, plums, carrots, and zucchinni, cooked together and topped with a sweet cinnamon sauce. It was AWESOME (and I took a picture of it!).

We have walked many streets, and seen many incredible things.

Tomorrow, we are going to the Museum of Modern Art and the Natural History Museum. It should be AMAZING, and I can't wait.

This is how they tow cars in Austria (via crane that lifts your car onto the waiting tow truck). Notice the writing on the tow truck: "Sorry!"

This is a picture of a multi-floored mall, with balconys, up towards the glass roof. I am standing on the bottom floor, in the cheese section of the local grocery store (Billa, same as in Prague!). It was yet another incredible work of architecture in this beautiful city.

This is Me, Ginnie, Laura-Nelle, and Rami in front of the National Library, a building of the Imperial Palace Grounds.



























Take Care,

-Terry