i have a mental bucket list.i never really put this list into writing.i really do not know why as this is one of the main things that the secret is advocating, right? one of these days i will make that list, says the procrastinator in me and the universe will be happy and grant me all my dreams and wishes, says the believer in me.oh yes it will, adds the eternal optimist in me.schizo much? hahaha.
but i know for sure that i've always wanted to spend christmas in vienna.
why?
because "vienna is christmas: white with snow, adorned with traditional decorations, and beautifully noncommercial.there's midnight mass at st stephen's, and at city hall's huge christkindlmarkt, hundreds of festive outdoor stands sell everything that smells and tastes of holidays." (1000 places to see before you die, patricia schultz)
so you can just imagine the excitement from the t family on the train from munich to vienna:
a german speaker - check.that's mr t
a sucker for anything christmas-y - check.that's moi
a sponge who absorbs everything with a gung-ho attitude - check.that's baby for you
we were only armed with a list of christmas markets and must-see's.mr t insisted that we did have a lonely planet guide book for vienna, but i scoofed at him and said we did not.turned out we did.i have no idea why i have completely forgotten about it! it was like in tokyo once again, but at least this time one of us can speak the language and can read maps.
we stayed in a hotel apartment. i think that's the norm for us eversince we had baby.as much as possible we prefer to stay in hotel apartments because they have a kitchen which is very important with young children.
this was the view from the the balcony.
interiors.
we were smitten with this apartment! it was newly renovated so everything felt modern and new although it was housed in an historical building. it was a five-minute walk to the subway and there were nearby bakeries, grocery shops and drugstores.the staff were friendly and helpful.when we arrived we realized that the crib they put for baby was already too small for her so they immediately brought a bigger one to accommodate madam, este, baby.
since we stayed for a week there was also daily cleaning service.the place was perfect for families. i also love it that you exit the apartment using a very old and heavy wooden door.
there was a band playing christmas songs, and we stood there for a while, listening to "oh holy night." i closed my eyes and whispered a prayer of thanks as this was one of those moments which you just want to capture in a jar and take home with you.i was with my husband and daughter, in the middle of the festive season when people are jolly and in good spirits.the air was cold and crisp and smelling of chestnuts and apple.it was a christmas postcard.
and this one, this one, just loomed.this is the gothic masterpiece st stephan's cathedral. it stood proud with its beauty.the tiled roof is amazing.i have never seen anything like it.
already drunk with christmas giddiness just by the sights, we decided to go to our first christmas market in vienna in front of karlskirche. this is the finest baroque church in vienna.
it was very atmospheric with its authentic handicrafts made by local artists. there were workshops for leatherwork, glassblowing and so much more.what i love about it was the stables and mini-farms that they had! baby was able to play in the hay and see farm animals like pigs for the first time!
baby was desperate to ride the horses, but she was too young to try it.sorry baby, we will wait until you get older!
we had our first gluhwein for the year, and boy did it taste good! baby had the non-alcoholic version of it.
next...more christmas markets!
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