Leaving the mountains
I have had a lovely two weeks in Austria and definitely look forward to returning as there is still so much I want to see. It seems like no amount of time is ever enough, which I guess is a good thing. It really is a beautiful country with all the wide open spaces and mountain ranges and then the hip, cool and yet historic Vienna to balance it all out. I really loved being in the heart of Vienna. Roaming through the streets on an evening while people dined outdoors, different festivals and outdoor films took place and horse drawn carriages strolled by slowly, annoying to the drivers behind them I assumed. Oh and one of my favorite was when unexpectedly one evening there was one of the summer balls taking place so we happened to be there just in time for the commencement when the band was marching by followed by the dancers to open the ball and finally the guests. The women were draped in sweeping gowns while the men accompanying them donned there most impressive penguin suits. With the backdrop of the large beautifully lit and ornately architectured buildings as a backdrop, it really felt like something from a Disney movie.
Vienna at night
Walking through Vienna
Opening Dancers (sorry used my phone forgot my camera)
There are over 300 balls held annually in Austria, this can really bring out the princess side in any girl no matter how much of a tomboy you are. While walking through Vienna at night you can just imagine Cinderella losing her slipper on any of the steps leading up to their many grand buildings. If that’s not your thing however, no worries this country offers so much more for any taste. Museums galore, mountains to hike or ski, festivals to attend, narrow streets and small towns to explore and the list goes on. Of all these things though the activity that was the most special, was when my cousin along with two others were together and wrote our dreams, wishes and desires on a card attached them to balloons filled with helium, said a quick little prayer and let them go. It was the idea of my cousin’s friend, she said this was to let the universe know what it was that you desired so that it could be granted to you. I thought it was sweet (even though it felt like a scene from the movie “The Craft”) and we stood there until the balloons carrying our wishes had risen out of sight.
I found what I was told is a rare item in Austria…a phone booth.
The Camera shy donkey at the stables
Playing in the hay with the kids
One more look at the mountains
Right now however, it is time to move on and discover new places. I am currently writing this aboard my six hour train ride to Slovenia, a country that I am very excited to visit. It will be my first time going there, it is also my first time on such a lengthy train ride (I have a feeling it’s the first of many) and it will also be my first time staying in a hostel. Now the whole hostel thing may be a very common thing for thousands, but for many of us in America, our first introduction to this was the horror film. So when I informed one of my really good friends I would be staying in one she immediately tried dissuading me. What can I say the movie had a huge impact. At first it wasn’t something I was too open to but now I am actually excited I think it will be a fun experience and it will allow me to meet a lot of new and interesting people. Just pray I don’t get drawn in to any high price human torturing ring! Just kidding mom.
View from the train while driving through Slovenia
View from the train while driving through Slovenia
