Imperial Treasury

Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury): Is where all of the rulers of Vienna would keep their gold and precious stones. The crown of rome, its scepter, and the spear of destiny are held here.

The Spear of Destiny- has a myth about it saying that whoever touches it will have the power of the people. It was said that Hitler was obsessed with the spear and demanded that it be given to him once he took over Vienna. It was later returned to Vienna by the U.S. at the end of WWII.

Helden Platz

Hero's Place was covered with Santa Clauses (most of them sounded like foreigners aka Americans). In the bg you can see the Rathaus (to the left of the monument). Everything is very close in Vienna which makes it easy to sight see.

A little down the road you could also hitch a ride with a Christmas Horse and Carriage.

Rathaus Christmas Market

This is the Rathaus with the Christmas market in front. This is the typical tourist Christmas Market (or Advent Market same thing). At the end of January they will replace the market with an ice skating rink!

The Rathaus (city hall) has the 24 days of christmas on each of its windows and each day a new window is reveled. (btw Christmas is celebrated on the 24th).

The two girls here are best friends Uli and Michi.

House of Music

The House of Music is pretty new since it was created in 2000. Its an interactive musical exhibit. They have a Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss Room where they explain the lives and accomplishments of the composers. I should have been the most interested in that part but I spent more time playing with all of the musical toys.

For example: I conducted the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

I also created my own Waltz with Dice

I poked me head in the musical Wall and played with the hearing of Beethoven.

I also popped virtual musical notes that made me sound like a musical genius.

I was waving my stick to fast making the orchestra play too fast and the onscreen guy yelled at me in german.

Bowling with Markus

Yes this is the ugliest picture of the night.

Even in Vienna they have normal things like bowling. Not everything has to have some type of historical significance.

Gansel Essen

We went auf dem land (out on the country side) to have a Christmas Goose. This was a real specialty and you have to order a week or so in advance. We were a big group and Walter and Maria also captured the attention of everybody their with their music, Maria on the Guitar and Walter for the Vocals.

December 2nd My Birthday

I was surprised first by Walter and Maria's birthday song at 1am (no they didnt barge in and begin singing while I was asleep) They were getting ready for their trip to the Bahamas and I was on my computer when they gave me some Champagne and sang me a song.

Then I went to an Irish Pub with Uli, Michi, Regina, and Bobsi.

I got a bag of delicious flavored marshmallows, scarf and a beanie plus a ticket to go to the Staat Opera.

My cousin Karin and her Fiancee Dilo also spoiled me by taking me to a nice Restaurant.

Lisi from across the globe sent me a bday care package!

Mauerbach Christmas Market

This special and intimate Christmas Market lasts for only 1st Advent Weekend in December. Its a tightly knit community and we got to see the children of Maria's school perform some Christmas music.

A lot of the stands are run by local families for example the butcher stand was run by a family who has their kids in Maria's school.

Schloss Belvedere

This is another place were you can find a neat little Christmas Market.

Side Note:I like all of the historical sites not only for the history but because you can actually run (literally) threw them. I went running through Schönbrunn and got jealous when I saw a group running through Schloss Belvedere.

Feature: The museum here houses Klimt's "The Kiss"

Karls Kirche

Christmas Markets are a tradition in Austrian and in Germany. In Vienna there are multiple. (hopefully later I will compile a larger entry with various ones side by side). The markets are known for selling little trinkets and Punch (Pooo-nch). Its warm fruit tea with rum or gluewein (warm wine).

Clothing to School

I normally run hot, but after biking to school from Purkersdorf to the train station I have had to add a couple of layers.

Bed of Contents:

Top Row: gloves, long johns, jeans, skiing socks

Bottom Row: marino wool sweatshirt, light jacket, windproof jacket, rain jacket

Spain vs. Vienna Soccer

Rapid is the better team in Vienna but Spain was playing Vienna not Rapid (yes Vienna has two teams). Spain is ranked among the best (i have heard im not a huge soccer fan but it was fun to watch). But as it turned out the spanking Spain delivered to Vienna was to my benefit I got to yell Goal 7 times.

The Vienna Mall

This is the main mall in Vienna. In the center downstairs they have a grocery store. Its hard to imagine the Oaks Mall with a grocery store right in the center.

The Movies with Karin and Dilo

We took a sightseeing tour of Stephansplatz and then went to 1 of 2 English speaking cinemas (movie theaters) in Vienna.

All of Vienna is decorated for the Holidays especially Stephansplatz.

Movie Theater:

There isn't much space in a city like Vienna so they have to get

creative when they put a theater somewhere. The one I went to

was underground and had boulders sticking out on all sides. I

went to see 2012 (which was hilarious horrible plot) just as the

street was cracking inhalf or something intense (i could tell only

because of the strained violins trying to be scary) the movie cut

out and the theater went black, it was for a Pause. I have never

experienced this before only in theaters with real actors on stage.

Fasching

I enjoyed Fasching in Purkersdorf. Walter was all dressed up. During this time the community provides free Krampfen which is like a jelly filled doughnut. It is also tradition to have warm cider with rum or Punch (a warm fruit drink also with rum or schnapps).

The duration of the Fasching period varies according to national and local traditions. Fasching in Austria begins on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the moment the new (Heuriger) wine becomes old (alt), 'Heurige' wine, is the most recent vintage normally offered for consumption by the grower in his/her wine bar and is officially released on this day. (www.virtualvienna.net)

Downtown Vienna

This is the Votive Church

The weather in Vienna is constantly changing and you can start your day with

sunshine only ending with hail and rain.

Something I had to get used to coming from California where we only have

one season all year long.

Kaiser San Josef Volkshule

This school is over 100 years old and they had their anniversary celebration last year. Maria took me on a tour of the historical school and I got to watch a performance from the students of St. Martin's day.

Fasulrukshin

I went to a celebration that took place in an underground wine cellar. In my hand I have a Schnitzel Sandwich.

Wien Konzerthaus

After the concert Walter and Maria always meet at a nearby restaurant to have some dinner and visit with friends. Its common to have the performers visit a restaurant and eat with guests.

FOOD:

This Sandwich here was with dark bread, goat cheese, spinach, and more cheese

melted on top with some chives sprinkled on top.

So good I'm going to try to make it in the U.S.

Importance: The Konzerthaus has the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Wiener Kammerorchester (wikipedia). Since it was founded it has always tried to emphasise both tradition and innovative musical styles.

Porsche 964 RS Joy Ride with Dilo

Dilo has a passion for Porsches and this one here is 964 RS. That day I got a ride back to Purkersdorf in something a little nicer than my pink bike.

Karin's Birthday

Celebrating my cousins birthday with her fiancee Dilo

Eggs Benedict

Musikverein

I went here with Walter and Maria to watch a 3 person Violin Concert.

This hall was a smaller one underground and the fancy one is on the first floor.

Importance:

This is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna New Year's Concert is held here.

University of Vienna Student Protest

While the college students of California protest the hikes in admission fees that soar above 20k a year the Austrian student body is protesting against being charged for their education. As it stands their education is free and their government wants to charge them a small fee (nothing over 1000eu a year).

Their protest (the one i walked though there more more than one throughout the week) took place around the ring and inside part of Stephansplatz.

I found it hilarious but entertaining to walk the ring.