Schloss Schönbrunn ist sehr schön

These past three days have literally been so packed and just flown by! I can't believe how much I do and see after my morning German class. I actually love getting up early to go to German, maybe because I enjoy the class and really like my teacher, but having class until 11:45am gives me the rest of the day to explore the beautiful city I now like to call home. On Wednesday, it was a gorgeous day while we were in class and so Elise, Anna, Meghan, and I decided to visit Schloss Schönbrunn (the Palace) and gardens. Unfortunately, a few clouds rolled in while we were heading over there after class, but the weather was still warm and bright. 

The gorgeous Schönbrunn Palace

The palace was incredible! To me, it was incredible because it was not like any other palace I've seen before. It was completely different from the large, regal Hampton Court and the tall, crumbling Blarney Castle. Schönbrunn was very flat and wide, and was the most interesting shade of golden yellow. It is the former imperial summer residence with over 1,441 rooms! 

Anna, Elise, and I in our matching maxi skirts

My friends and I didn't go in, but Meghan and I have already made plans to go back together sometime soon to take the "Grand Tour" and experience what living in the palace might have been like. It's so amazing learning about different types of royalty and different lineages. I've been fixated on the British monarchy for the longest time and can probably tell you the life stories of at least five or ten different British monarchs, but I've yet to learn about the incredible Austrian royalty who built these splendid summer palaces with enormous gardens. 

Fountains in front of Schönbrunn

Side view

The gardens at Schönbrunn are definitely one of the highlights. Though we didn't go inside the immense palace, we enjoyed ourselves by walking around the grounds. There were fountains with intricate carved states within them, and then endless hedges and flowers, as well as marble statues situated between leafy walkways. It was incredible. It's a wonder the monarchs didn't get lost on their morning strolls!

Marble Statues in the gardens

Enjoying the beautiful gardens

Enchanted walkways with Elise, Meghan, and Anna

We were awarded brilliant views of the back of the palace and flower gardens, and even saw the maze! Far up on a hill behind the palace is what looks like a smaller version of Schönbrunn. We didn't brave the long hike up to the monument but next time, I'm sure Meghan and I will go!

View of the Schönbrunn monument

Elise and I

The sheer size of the palace amazed me. I can't think of anything as big as Schönbrunn Palace off the top of my head. We wandered around the palace for almost two hours, and that was just around the outside! I think I'll have to allocate an entire day to see the interior; I like to take my time and soak up the environment where these famous monarchs once lived.

Back of the Schönbrunn Palace

After the palace, we decided to go to a Kaffeehaus to get started on our German homework (we'd just started cafe vocabulary, so what better place to practice it than at a Kaffeehaus?). Elise opted for going back to the Villa, so Anna, Meghan, and I made our way back to Kärtnerstraße and picked a cafe calls Wein-Wein by Stephansdom to enjoy a hot drink and learn some cafe words. 

I love just sitting in cafes and watching people or reflecting. I took note of a few things I'd see over the past few days as I sat in the corner of the Kaffeehaus with my heiße schokolade ohne schlagobers (see? I've been practicing).

1. Austrians stare. We were all warned by the IES staff that this was true, but you don't really think much of it until it happens to you. And when it does happen, it's frightening. Austrians will go out of their way to continue to stare straight at you as if you've got a slug for a nose or something ridiculous. And they do it everywhere: on the U-bahn, the tram, as you're walking by them, in restaurants, while they're driving past. It's incredible how they don't feel uncomfortable at all. I always avery my eyes when I'm caught staring at someone but they don't turn away. In addition, if its a guy staring at you, do NOT smile. This is like saying you're interested and they might come up to you and be a pain. That's another thing, it's very hard not to smile politely to someone staring at you or who catches you staring at them. I always do it and then have to quickly walk away to avoid unwanted attention.
2. Austrians walk very slowly. At first I thought it was the tourists around Kärtnerstraße that I kept getting stuck behind on the way home from school, but even when I got further away from the tourist districts to the outskirts, I get stuck behind a commuter who thinks he has all the time in the world. Maybe I'm just used to walking quickly to get places, like I do in New York City. If you walk slowly there, you'd be run over by a mob of angry people behind you. 
3. Austrians actually obey the pedestrian cross-walk signals. I think I'm coming to the conclusion that Americans are impatient and workaholics because the Austrians never seemed fussed about being late or waiting at a "don't walk" signal on a completely empty road. Once, people were waiting to cross a street and there were no cars coming, so Elise, Evan, and I walked right across. The amount of dirty looks we got from those waiting was unnerving. It's a serious offense here to cross when it isn't your right of way. I won't be trying that again in a hurry.

None of these things are bad, I have just noticed the cultural difference from America and even London. It is a lot more relaxed and quiet here in Vienna than in NYC or London. Even the Inner Stadt (Inner City) is dead silent at 8:30am when Elise, Evan, and I arrive at IES!

der Stephansdom

Anyway, Anna and Meghan left after about half an hour so I was left to continue my pondering and my  German homework. As I started to leave, I noticed that the weather had turned beautiful once again, so I decided to try and "get lost" a little bit to explore the city on my way back to Schottentor Universität U-Bahn station. I took a different route, weaving in and out of tiny side roads and discovering gorgeous architecture, delicious cafes, and incredible views of the city.

Amazing architecture on Whipplinger Straße

I had meant to take Whipplinger Straße to the Ringstraße and then make my way to the U-Bahn stop there to catch my tram home, but I wasn't tired from my walk so I decided to go to the next stop. I was able to take photographs more freely by walking through the areas I usually was on the tram for.

Austrian casino

That's the tram I take to go home! Except it kept passing me by on my walk and I couldn't be bothered to wait at a stop for it

Love these apartment buildings

The Volkoper

At the next tram stop, I caught sight of another picturesque scene that my sister's amazing camera could capture beautifully. So I kept walking. 

Then I found a side street with a gorgeous view. I went down it to see the architecture.

Soon I was in the 9th district.

Then I walked past a gelato shop to see if I could recognize any of the flavors in German.

I kept going. And going. And going. There were so many interesting things to see in the afternoon sunlight!

I was then in the 18th district. Since I live in the 18th district, why not just finish up the trek and walk all the way home? 

The cathedral at our last tram stop into Vienna

Josephinium

Almost home in the 18th District

About two hours after I left the Kaffeehaus by Stephansdom, I had made it back to Scheidlstraße with a few new cafes I wanted to try and a much better idea of what I passed every day on my way to IES. The 3.4 mile walk was exhausting at the very end when I had to climb up hills to make it home, but I really enjoyed my city wanderings! I'm actually looking forward to my next "get lost" date with myself!