Sarah does Wien

Grusse Got, homies!

So I am leaving to Salzburg in the morning, thought I would update you all on my last day in Prague, and my quick trip to Vienna, Austria! So I did end up going to Kutna Hora to see the Bone Ossuary. It was a great experience....really creepy to think that 40,000 humans were all in that room with me, just in pieces. They were all arranged in chandeliers made out of hip bones and caves made out of leg bones and a crest with ribs. That's a creative solution to no cemetary space, I suppose. The evening was great as well, I saw a concert of the best of Mozart and Strauss, with singing and ballet. Everyone was in costume and we got a really great price for it, so I was happy. Woke up early the next morning to head to Austria. Train to Vienna was nice, I find that is the time when I can really reflect on what's happening and realize that I am heading to a new city, new country, new group of people. It's so amazing to realize that most of the people I meet, I will NEVER see again. It makes it so that you don't really want to say goodbye for that reason. When I got to Vienna, I had no money and no place to stay hahaha. I went to this hostel that I heard was good called Hostel Ruthensteiner and they had availability. On my first afternoon in Vienna I headed down to the Museum Quarter (Vienna is BRIMMING with them!) and wandered around the gardens there. Then I headed to Stephansdom, the tiled church with the huge gothic spire that everyone thinks of when they see Vienna. Walked back to the Wien Staatsoper, and bought tickets to the opera there (EEEEEEEEK!). Now, regular tickets to the opera can set you back anywhere between 40-235 Euros. I paid 3.50 muaahahahah. They sell a certain number of standing room tickets, and if you get there in time, you can buy one. The area where you stand has railings to lean on, and they all still have the little screens on the railings that translate it from Italian to German/English. I saw the comedy Falstaff. It was hilarious, and completely worth the 3 hours I stood with another girl from the hostel. Today I got up and had a croissant, did a little shopping (finally!) and walked to the Hofsburg Palace. I felt like an Austrian Princess today! Oh my goodness it was decadent. Just walking through the palace, through the gardens, with the ponds and fountains, imagining yourself as all sorts of nobility. Could you imagine what that would be like? I felt very regal and giggled the whole day. Not only did I visit the palace, but I visited the Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek (Austrian National Library) AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGHH
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It was INCREDIBLE. I was GIDDY the moment I realized where I was. Emperor Charles VI had this library built over 300 years ago. With it's marble statues and nutwood bookcases, I felt in another world in this Baroque Library. Around 200,000 books from the 1500s to the 1800s are stored in the library. I wandered around in COMPLETE awe. I wanted to sneak up to the second level and cuddle with some old manuscripts, or ride around on one of those old wooden moving staircase things. There were huge globes as big as me everywhere, some of them didn't even have maps (I think I saw one with constellations only on it) and every inch of the ceiling was painted. It was just....beyond what I can explain right now. I have alot of pictures, but this internet is insufferable and I can't get it to work. It will have to be in Salzburg or whereabouts when I upload more pictures. Sorry about the sideways-ness of the ones today, but couldn't figure that one out here too. After the library I went to the Leopold Museum to see a collection of Klimt paintings. I discovered a pretty incredible artist by the name of Egon Schiele, I am in awe of his work. He died so young but his work was intense and beautiful, especially given controversy around art in that time. He was part of the secession with Klimt and was mentored by him. Oh, I'm in love with Vienna. It is beautiful and interesting and I got lost quite a bit but was pleased overall. Thing is, 2 days was enough :) Like I said....feeeeeeeeling antsy. I'm skipping Munich altogether (sorry Germany) but still going to Neuschwanstein in the next couple of days. Cutting Salzburg and Bad Gastein short, but may now head to switzerland to Interlacken (I want to do some extreme sports and that is the place!) OR! The next time I post I may be in italy. I REALLY want to make it to Dubrovnik, but that cuts into my Greece time. Who knows, I'm FREE to do as I please! What a glorious feeling.

Anyways, no one worry about me because all is well. The cold is lifting (but not lifted) and I am taking care of myself. I really needed that long phone call home, I love you guys so much and wish I could give you kisses and hugs. I miss everyone so much now, and I will be home sooner than I know I will realize.