Palaces, Hail, Mozart, and Mountains

Besides not having the most desirable weather (which I'll get to in a minute), Vienna was so wonderful! I didn't have much time there with so much to see, so I knew I needed some kind of organization in my tourist adventures. I joined a "Hop on Hop off" bus tour that was flexible and let you see things at will. On the bus, I listened in English about the history of various sights and whatnot. There were many places I wanted to get off and see closer up, such as their magnificant palaces, but due to weather, I stayed on the bus and glanced at a far.

The weather in Vienna was completely unpredictable. First, it was kind of cold (I'd say maybe low 50's) the entire time. Sometimes there would be completely blue skies with a few puffy white clouds, and the next minute, before there would even be time to pull out an umbrella, it would begin to rain. Then, it would begin to pour. It never lasted long, but it seemed like an ongoing cycle the whole time I was there.

On one of my many walks around the city (while it wasn't raining), I was talked into buying a ticket to a Mozart concert. It was a little pricey, and I'm not one to spend that kind of money, but it was the best thing I did while I was in Vienna. Although the walk there wasn't the greatest. I already told you about the weather. Well, I got the pouring down rain part just as I was heading to the concert. But, a wonderful added bonus for me was HAIL. Yes. Hail. Along with the maddness of the down-pour, I was also being hit with little pea sized balls. It was just wonderful (meant to be said sarcastically). But anyway... This concert was at one of the smaller palaces within the city. A small orchestra, in full 19th century costume, played the best of Mozart and Johann Strauss. And, an added bonus, it was also a ballet and opera!! It was just so wonderful, and I didn't want it to end. It made you feel like you were actually back in the 19th century with them, listening to the wonderful music in a gorgeous ball room. I, again, was one of the only younger ones in the crowd. Most had to be 60 or older. But apparently that's just going to be the theme of this trip! Now, I am on my way to ITALY!! Venice, more specifically. I took the train to a small town in southern Austria, Villach, and now have a few hours to kill before I catch the bus the rest of the way to Venice.

The ride was magnificant!! I was just completely absorbed in the mountains. It's like I was in a trance for the entire 4 hour train ride, completely in awe of the beautiful nature all around. How anyone could question if there was really a God is beyond me! Only God could create something so breath-taking! I swear, one of these days, I'm going to live in the mountains, find myself a nice mountain-man to marry, and we'll have a great big litter of mountain kids!! Wouldn't that just be wonderful!? I know you must be laughing, but this is no joke!

I am excited for Venice, and my whole Italian week and a half!! Keep reading! I'll try to keep you updated as much as possible.