Day 9 Vienna
Wow Day 9 already. It seems like we just left La-X.
Checked the web this morning and the Packers lost 17-3 to the Lions. What gives? The’ve always have had tough time there and I’m sure they’ll right the ship to take the conference championship.
Deanna and I got the tickets to Salzburg. Leaving Thursday at 9:30 am. Should arrive in Salzburg in the earlz afternoon.
Maria and Deanna surprised their parents with a present that is once in a lifetime. A package that includes a tour of the palace. A dinner at the palace grounds and an orchestra performance to cap the evening.
The Schonbrunn Palace that was built by the Hapsburg royalty is very impressive and only second to Versailles in Paris, France. The only difference that I thought that stood out to me was that the ceilings were higher in Versailles. Otherwise, they are great monuments to the time of royalty. The most famous of the Hapsburg is Franz Josef. Who ruled all of Austria (much bigger then. Included most of eastern Europe) for 68 yrs. He ruled so long because he became king at 18. Then married a 16 yr old named Elisabeth who went with a name Sissy. The emperor did love his wife dearly, but his wife did not reciprocate that love back. She was always gone on trips and very tempremental. Maybe this is where we get the saying, “Don’t be a sissy!” I don’t know if it’s true but I’m sticking to it. Another famous Hapsburg is Marie Antoinette. Of course you know her as the one who got guillatined in Paris during the revolution. She was forced into marriage with King Louis the XVI to finally keep the peace between Austria and France.
We took the 40 room tour and it took us about 1-1/2 hr. We had an audioguide which helped explain the rooms. There were not to many people there as it was late in the afternoon. But several late tour groups did arrive and they slowed the tour down or we could have done it in an hour. But we enjoyed it.
The sorrounding grounds were much better to enjoy. The fountains and the groomed lawns and pretty flowers were nice to see. We very much enjoyed a nice stroll. The city of La Crosse could probably fit in the palace grounds. We only saw the immediate area behind the palace, but the grounds includes hunting lodges, a zoo, and many other cotages and fountains that we did not see.
At 6:30 we had the dinner portion. The menu was:
Smoked and gravid salmon pate on dill-pesto (very good, even if you don’t like pate)
Turkez-hen fillet with herb crust on safran – white winesause with potatoes and castle vegetables
for dessert: Chocolate Mousse
Of course all this accompanied with a bottle of red and white wine.
Most excellent dinner fit for royalty.
We did have a little excitement after dinner. When the waiter took the bottles away, he turned to quickly and dropped the bottles and they caused quite a stir in the dining room as a few patrons screamed. At least they were empty and nothing was lost.
We then headed for the Orangerie wing of the Palace. The orchestra had more members tonight that last night which made it sound more fuller. But the program was the same but not the same pieces by Mozart and Strauss. They were notheless belissimo! They had parts with ballet and other parts with opera singers. They were better than the ones last night. Don and Mary, who are afficianados when it comes to classiscal music, knew all the pieces and said that they were performed beautifully! I could’nt agree more. I guess music appreciation class does come in handy once in a while. Although I recognize most of the music from commercials!
Clasical music is mostly used in commercial since they don’t have to pay royalty to the composers. I’m sure Mozart, Beethovan, Strauss, Stravinskz, Debussy and others are just fuming in their graves. Especially Mozart who died broke.
It took us about 15 minutes to get back to our hotel by the use of the subway. The subway here is very easy and convenient.
The concert was a great ending for Mary and Don for their 46th wedding anniversary! They thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Gutte nacht. Alles gut heir!
Auf wiedersehen.
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Administrator
Hi Jaime: Grace and I were on our way back from Madison (can you imagine?) and she suggested I check out your site. Sounds like you’re having a wonderful time! We are holding down the fort here – as much as things change they always stay the same at DOT. 🙂 Hope all goes well for the rest of your adventure and we’ll see you when you return. Godspeed.
Jaime,
Very enlightening recount of your tour, mom and I have since enjoyed reading all your posts, with a few chuckles and some nostalgic feelings. Best of all, though, we’re glad y’all are having a a good time and a wonderful experience/adventure. Regards and take care.
Dad . . .
Mom and Dad, thanks for the well wishes! We’re having a blast. Especially Maria’s parents. Hope that we can vacation sometime soon.
Anne, also thanks. I’m trying not to think about work right now, but I just can’t escape that. I actually noticed how the signal sequencing on the traffic llights here are different. When the green is ready to go back to red, it actually flashes 5 times and then goes to yellow for 3 seconds before it goes to red. The red also flashes 5 times before it changes to yellow and the yellow flashes for 3 seconds before it turns to green. Stood at the intersection for 10 min watching the signal lights. People probably thought I was crazy of sorts. See you soon. Say hi to all in the first floor DOT.