So here we go. Here is the tale of Vienna the third country
on our insane traveling extravaganza. Vienna, to be honest, you aren't my
favorite place, but you have some lovely features and dang good falafel I’ll
give you that.
When we arrived to Vienna it was crucial that we got all
checked in and ready to go in a timely manner. The reason why this was so
important was because one of Hannah’s friends from high school lives in Vienna,
and she told us she would show us around. This was very exciting because it was
like we had our own private little tour guide.
We met up with Hannah’s friend Nicole at a restaurant called
Vapiano. Even though we were in Austria, they have this restaurant in Lithuania
too and we had been dying to go try it out. I had heard great things about it,
and it truly lived up to its good name. I almost felt like I had been
transported back to America. The restaurant was clean, the food was good, and
the ambiance was so modern and open. Then, we would remember that no one speaks
English very well and they use the dang euro (I am not a fan. Mostly I don’t
like it just because the exchange rate is so bad for the dollar!). This restaurant was up to par. The coolest feature about it was how you paid.
When you walked in the door they would hand each person a
card. Then, you walk back to where they were cooking the food and stand in
line. You choose your noodle and sauce and a dashing bow-tied man would
personally make it for you while you watched (kinda like café rio but with
pasta.) Then when he hands the pasta to you and asks for your card. He then
loads on the price of the pasta, breads and drinks that you ordered. After you
go and eat your amazing meal, you go to check out and hand them your card. Once
you have paid, you can leave the building. I know what you are thinking, I
thought it too. What if someone loses their card? Or tries to leave without paying?
Well, really you can’t. There is a guard at the door. He will stop you from
leaving. If you lose your card, it costs you like 50 euros. That isn’t a fun
option. It is just better to pay for your food and leave peaceably. It
was so good. We even got to wear really fancy bibs. We will definitely be going
again when we are home in Lithuania.
After we were nice and full, Nicole took us all around the
town. Our first stop was a traditional Austrian candy store. I am pretty sure
candy, chocolate, and food is my love language, so I was more than thrilled to
try this Austrian candy. Guess what Nicole told us that we absolutely had to
try? You guessed it. Mozart balls. (The more I think about it the funnier it is.) We got some and tried them. They were pretty nasty. Sorry Mozart nobody likes your balls... Candy balls that is.
After, we wondered around and saw a bunch of grandiose white
buildings that all pretty much looked the same to me. What I probably enjoyed most was seeing Nicole’s
university. It was beautiful. Also, she gets to attend for free. FOR FREE PEOPLE. FREE COLLEGE. I could hardly
believe it. Apparently many countries in Europe offer students free tuition.
Here I am busting my butt to try and get a bigger scholarship and I still feel
like I pay an arm and a leg. I just hope these university students know how
good they have it.
Once we were done we had to say goodbye to Nicole. She had
to attend an evening class at her university. She was such a sweetheart. I feel
privileged I got to spend the day with such a sweet, beautiful and intelligent
Austrian. Once Nicole was gone, we had to find something to do. We decided on
the palace. We have a shortage of palaces in America, and I didn't want to pass
up my chance here.
The palace was very classy (as a palace should be). We spent
a good while taking pictures and just staring at it. Since it was too expensive
for us to go inside, we decided to venture to the back where the gardens were.
They were magnificent. I wish I could have been wearing a powdered wig, fancy
dress and played croquet out behind the place. It was massive and had the nicest shrubs. At the very back
was a beautiful fountain. We made the long trek back to see it and it was lovely.
What is a palace without a good fountain anyways?
Finally, when we were done at the palace it was time to go back to the hostel. After we had
eaten yummy pasta, tried Mozart balls, and seen a palace it was finally alright
to call it a night.
Goodnight Vienna. See you again in the morning.
XO Mikele