Vienna #4of5

One afternoon we went to the Schönbrunn Palace. Emmy liked the layout, but even though they had tried to build a copy, we saw little comparison with the Palace at Versailles, near Paris. I enjoyed the view of the palace from the Gloriette, an arcaded gallery, topped by a canopy and surmounted by the imperial eagle, high on the hill behind the Chateau.

While Maria Theresa reigned, this was her summer residence. Mozart, at the age of six, impressed the empress and her court, with his amazing talents. Maria Teresa had 16 children, and she arranged the marriages of her daughters. Maria Carolina became the Queen of Naples, Maria Amalia, the Duchess of Parma, Maria Christina became a Regent of the Netherlands. Marie Antoinette became Queen of France, and her longing for her native Austria resulted in the “Hameau” (Hamlet) being built on the grounds of the Palace at Versailles.

A few blocks from the Opera, one side of a wide street divided by a median strip, is called Linke (left) Wienzeile, and the other called Rechte (right) Wienzeile. Vienna is spelled Wien in Austria, and “zeile” means booth in German. There are several blocks of food and flea market booths. Excellent.

The main shopping center in Vienna is in the area bounded by St. Stephen’s, the Opera, and the Hofburg, with the busiest street being where the department stores are found. At a very nice dress store, Emmy purchased a dress to wear to Cousin Bärbel’s wedding in Merzig, Germany, the following month. A book store nearby had some very interesting “coffee-table” books for sale. One was printed in Austria, using the German language, and included about the best set of pictures of the US we have seen. Bought a copy to give to the cousins in Merzig.

When the Turks left in a hurry in 1683, they left large quantities of coffee beans, so coffee became a popular drink, and coffee shops continue to thrive. Every day customers spend hours, in an almost religious ambiance, with coffee of various hues and flavors, and with an extensive choice of pastries, from simple rolls to rich cakes. This Viennese atmosphere often includes a musical group, at least a violin and an accordion.

If you are still hungry, in addition to the famous Sacher-Torte (cost up to $30) at Hotel Sacher Vienna, tried and true McDonald’s are available for a quick snack, or a restroom break.