So, this is not only my last post from Vienna, but it is, in many ways, the last post of my trip. Tomorrow I take the train to our friends' house in Ingolstadt, Deutschland (nearby Munich). I spend a couple days with them and then fly back to LA on Tuesday. *sniff sniff* But this is definitely Auf Wiedersehen ("Until We See/Meet Again") as I have so many things - from each city - that I want to return to see. But a recap here is a little premature....let me just briefly share my last day in Vienna...which was PEAK PEAK PEAK....

I woke up this morning and decided to go to Schonbrunn, a palace here with amazing gardens. It was raining, but more of a Portland drizzle than a Midwest thunderstorm. Got there and suffice to say that the place was fantastically packed with people which actually didn't bother me a bit, as I mostly wanted to see the gardens. So I skipped the palace for another time and explored the gardens...oh wow! The Romische Ruine (roman ruins) that Sandra had recommended were GREAT! The formal gardens were sooooo beautiful. This must be the model for Peterhof (I think it was built first - but I'd have to check on that one) because they feel similiar....long avenues of trees, fountains and sculptures and little pavilions and ponds tucked away in unexpected places....terrific!

Also there is a large hill topped by a pavilion named the Gloriette and climbed up this for a fantastic view of the city (not to mention a little cardio-workout). But the piney trees were wonderful and the light rain actually kind of added to this out-in-the-woods feeling, which was so refreshing after spending yesterday in the city.

After this I went to Belvedere, home of the famous Klimt collection (including The Kiss). The best part about the Belvedere was that as I walked up I saw a sign for the Wien Universitat Botanisches Garten! Wow! I didn't even know it was there. How cool is this? I am a botanical garden freak...I totally enjoy them. So I spent an hour wandering through this botanical garden which is over 250 years old. I took lots of pictures for ideas for myself when I have my own garden again...can't wait! They had your mama's hydrangeas, G (the kind with little white 'feet')...and a bunch of other plants that were common to me (but had interesting German idiom names - like lion's maw for snapdragon) and others that I had never seen before...like a tri-color morning glory - beautiful!

After this peak day I unwound and had dinner at Cafe Central (splurging again - hey - my last night on the road!). They had live piano music and the food was, of course, absolutely terrific. It was actually the prettiest meal I have ever had. It was salmon, veggies and potatoes, and the potatoes and vegetables were carved into the most elegant shapes I've ever seen. It would definitely have won the Iron Chef award for 'presentation'!

So auf wiedersehen for now...I am not sure if I will post from Munich, but I will give you a brief recap once I get home. (And I'm sure you'll want an entertaining description of my post-trip blues...nothing like misery loves company, right??)

Oh, and G, if it makes you feel any better, the botanical garden had weeds too...they were just mowed down around the beds to make them - islands of order in the midst of chaos - look even more interesting. So chin up - evidently even weeds can be art!