Eurotrip 2017: Wieder Wien

Day 1:

Arrived in Vienna, and right after I go to my hostel picked up a döner kebab--which i have not had in AGESSSSS. It may not be Deutsch or Viennese..but it is by far my favorite food on this side of the world. And 2 Euro for a döner and soda? YES PLEASE.  

After my stomach was adequately filled, I wandered the city a bit unti I found the Albertina. Nearby here was an info booth, where I picked up every available pamphlet to read and consider in order to pick the perfect itinerary for my trip.

 Since I only had the afternoon, I decided to just wander and figure out where things were. In the process, I saw the first cafe that they go to in the movie Before Sunrise, and where they stood overlooking the city at sunset.

Then I crossed the city to where the university is and got a great dinner for 5 euro at an Indian pay what you feel place---every city needs one. When I lived in Melbourne they had 2 and we went there probably 2-3 times a week!

Day 2: 

Day two started with a wander through a park to find Brahm's memorial statue.

Then a quick jaunt to Cafe Sperl, which came highly recommended by everyone--AND was the second cafe the couple from Before Sunrise go to (with the famous telephone scene). After having a delicious piece of Sacher Torte (and Austrian specialty) I made my way to the Naschmarkt.

The Naschmarkt is basically what it sounds like--a continual marketplace. Here you could buy spices, great Turkish food, basic Viennese dishes, cheeses, meats and giant things of olive oil--as needed. It's a favorite place of many chefs in Vienna.

Afterwards, I decided to spend the day learning a little bit about one of the most famous Hapsburgs--Sisi. Unfortunately, I couldn't take pics, because the museum doesn't allow it, but I got to explore the Hofbug, which was the winter palace for the Hapsburgs. Sisi, in particular, had a museum all to herself--where I got to see how she took care of her stunningly thick, ankle-length hair, and how she came to be such an icon. With a mother-in-law who scared her, a job (as Queen) that she felt like killed her spirit, a daughter who died at two and a son who committed suicide--she became recluse fairly early on in her career as Queen. She took to traveling around with the excuse of sickness in order to escape her duties. When she did perform as Queen, however she took the Hungarian interests under her wing and truly helped make a difference in the eyes of her people there. The Bavarian girl who moved to Vienna to become princess at 15, was eventually assassinated during one of her trips. One of the most beautiful women of the era was gone. Basically---look her up. She's fascinating.

Outside thee Hofburg

the inner courtyard of the Hofburg

And if we're being honest while I do LOVE museums and the history that come with them, I was really just killing time until...THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL. Guys--I could not have geeked out more. Ugh, I miss riding so much. So here's to me starting that again once I get a proper job. Unfortunately you can't take pics of the stallions, because they're fussy--but I got pictures of the arena, stables and tack room. Here are a few fun things I learned while there:

1. It's called the Spanish Riding school because the horses are of Spanish descent (though they are now bred in Piebe)

2. Out of nearly 300 applicants each year only 1-2 get chosen to be riders

3. In 2008 they finally began allowing women and non-Austrians to apply--there currently is only 1 female rider

4. Schooling for riders can take from 6-10 years

5. One of the tasks they have to complete once they become an assistant rider, is to pick a stallion from Piebe and train them in the old Dressage style movements for the show. In order to do this, they must learn the natural abilities of the horse and use those as a guide. Obviously you can't rush how quickly this training takes place, hence the length of time it takes to complete schooling.

6. When the Spanish riding School was being constructed, people weren't OVERLY happy about it. They took to referring to things that they found strange or different as Spanish--something that Viennese people do even today

7. The horses have a VERY distinct look about them. With a baroque look and a lip that hangs down--people used to say the Habsburgs had bred horses to look like themselves LOL

The arena!

the Summer arena, and where they exercise the stallions

the Stables--and our guide who was the sweetest.

Tack room--the white show saddles (covered in red now) are worn without saddle pads and therefore have to be made to fit each horse perfectly.

The FINAL event of my glorious day was heading to the Volksoper to see Der Barbier Von Sevilla. The production was entirely in German, and while the Opera building is not as regal as the Staatoper, it is primarily visited by locals who want a nice night out, rather than tourists. And it was a GREAT night. I had read up a bit on the Opera beforehand so that I wasn't completely lost, but I actually was able to follow it fairly well (Cheers to 6 years of Deutsch). It was spectacularly funny, the backgrounds were fabulous, the songs were impressive and it was generally just a wonderful night!

Day 3:

My final day in Vienna was another day of just wandering. First, to Schönbrunn Palace, then to find more Before Sunrise movie locations. So off we go:

Schloß Schönbrunn--the Summer palace of the Hapsburgs

the view from outside the palace looking into the gardens--I need to come back during spring--the gardens are INSANE

Oh HAYY look it's that bridge they walk on in Before Sunrise!

And the Ferris Wheel! WOOO!

Oh yeah, I went to the national library too. Okay, well I didn't REALLY go because it cost 7 Euro to get in, but I stared through the doorway and ya'lll....you would think that someone had straight up copied the Library from Beauty and the Beast. Built by the Hapsburg family to hold their vast book collection--the library is UNREAL.

finally--Augustin Kirche where Hapsburgs got married, and also where they store their hearts after death because...they can?

Anyways--that's all for Vienna. It was fabulous. I want to come back in the Spring to see the gardens of Schönbrunn, and in January to go to a Viennese ball (bucket list item, people!). But now, it's on to Munich to see the one and only PETRA! AHHH!!

Joyful in Hope

Alright ya'll so this is a bit random, but I HAVE to put it down. I read a Psalm this morning about fear and it's been on my mind all day. I'm thinking God wants me to get something through my head considering that's what we talked about in class today as well=] gahh such a good day. But before I start, I just want to point out that if you go through Psalms, Isaiah, Matthew (or any of the gospels), check out how many times it says "do not worry", or "do not be anxious" or "do not fear". Worrying isn't something I do often, but when I do...I worry like it's my job. Unfortunately, that's probably not the best thing for me. So it's nice to know that God is constantly trying to remind us not to freak out over every small thing.

Hah, okay that was the first lesson I learned today. The second is a bit longer....so have fun!=]

Over and over again as I read through the Psalms two things have jumped out at me. David either feels alone and writes about his need of God or he's joyous in hope. Wait. Scratch that. He's always joyous in hope. THAT'S what's I've been loving about this so much. Whether David feels as if he's on top of the world, or is freaking out because he's got people after him, he always ends with a desire to praise God.

People have been asking me forever why I seem happy all the time. Well, first off....i'm not. Let's be honest, I obviously can't be happy all the time. That would be ridiculous and honestly...don't we need some bad to enjoy the good all the more? Anyways, secondly I'm happy because I know the same God as David. I see the same joy he did in everything. Reading through the Psalms has (and continues to be) like reading my own thoughts written down. I just went through Psalm 43 and ya'll it ended marvelously. The last verse of it is by far my favorite.

"Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 43:8

ahhh I love it. I know this feeling so well. Some days just generally suck. I struggle, i'm late to class, I fail, and nothing seems to go my way. Sometimes it's not me. Some days, terrible things happen and you just feel alone. Days when nothing helps and everything hurts. Those days it's insanely easy for me to imagine God has completely abandoned me to the cynicism and anger of this world. For David, that happens numerous times throughout the Psalms. I can't tell you how many times I've read "rescue me", "remember me", or "where are you". But, in all of that he constantly returns to the realization that God hasn't abandoned him. Yes, times are hard. Yes, people will hate you. Yes, sometimes life is terrible. But, God uses that. God doesn't want you to be in pain. He doesn't want to see you hurt or suffer. But, when life throws that at you...God will use that for your good (Romans 8:28). God has plans for people and whatever happens, the end will be for something greater than I ever planned. I know that even when I'm the cause of my own problems, God sees that. He knows that and helps me regardless.

Knowing that, gives me more joy than I can possibly express in words. My soul does NOT need to be downcast. I can be joyful in knowing that there is always someone there for me and always something more to hope for. You know those moments in life when you're so excited about something you can't contain yourself? Times when you're grinning like a fool or can't help but laugh/scream/jump. That is what it feels like to be in this relationship with God. The more I read about him, the more I talk to him, the more I want to, the more I fall in love with Jesus. The best part? I know i'm not the only one in this boat. Whenever David talks about being joyful in God, he talks about singing praise. He knows this feeling. He knows that when you love someone you want to shout it out to everyone and sometimes, that means freaking out and singing out your lungs...other times it means laughing about whether or not angels/God are laughing at you (Bethany=]). David knew, and I feel it now. When crap happens to me I need not fear. I have someone to listen to me, help me, guide me, comfort me when no one else can. Hah. that's why I got the Isaiah 41:10 tattoo right? I needed a reminder so that next time the world throws something that seems unbearable my way, I remember this.

"Do not fear for I am with you.
Do not Dismay for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10

God not only is there for me....he's freaking gonna take his time helping me. Yeah. I think I can deal with that. So yes, like David, in bad times all I can say is this: "I will YET praise Him, my Savior and my God."