Wien, Vienna, Klimt, Schiele

Wow, how to start with an update about my time in Vienna. Here I sit in the overly nice hostel that Sara found for us (were talking LOCKERS in the rooms, free WiFi and computer, its indescribable). The woman who owns the hostel is a sweet and funny British woman who was confused by our use of "bathroom" and "to be down with." And after three days of endless walking, museum visits, plats, churches and the underground..I have seen so much and really grown a fondness for Vienna in all its beauty. What I can tell you about visiting Vienna: don't be fooled, EVERY BUILDING LOOKS IMPORTANT, alas it is just a facade..and a building that looks like an amazing art museum is most likely some government building with a small placard near the door written in indecipherable German. An adjustment with coming from Prague (where most sights are fairly concentrated) to Vienna is that a lot more things are spread out and require the use of the underground (and thus I have rekindled my love for underground transportation).
Our first day we were literally (but not really) thrown off of our 5 hour bus ride into Vienna with absolutely no idea where we were or how to navigate the city..which lead 5 of us to stand in front of an underground map for about ten minutes trying to figure out where to go. After an underground trip and twenty minutes of walking we finally found our lovely little hostel situated on the 4th floor of a building. We then walked towards the center of town and visited a couple of beautiful churches (Im not usually one for church visits but considering I havent visited one in almost 2 years, I found it necessary). I love churches when looking at it from an artistic and historic point of view, rather than religious. I love the stained glass, the arches, the paintings and high ceilings; sometimes you can't help but feel a little something when visiting certain churches.
Our second day was when the real tourist-y activites commenced, with much enthusiasm as well as an early wake up call. Our first stop: Shonbrun Palace where we took an audio tour, I hate to say that once you´ve seen one palace you've kind of seen them all but the gardens behind the palace were unbelievable. Not only was there a long stretch of green grass with various colored flowers planted in certains patterns, but also there was a large, dramatic fountain at the end. Breathtaking is the only word to describe it. After, Amy, Sara and myself went to Upper Belevdere Museum which had advertised the largest Gustav Klimt collection. In high school when I was taking an art class, I used Klimt's intricate backgrounds as inspiration for my pieces..so it felt absolutelz necessary to go see it. And man, was it worth every step and Euro I paid. I've seen Monet, Picasso, DaVinci among many other talented artists, but no other artists has given me the chills and almost made me cry..especially when I saw "The Kiss," which was illuminated showing the most beautiful of gold. Not to mention I was also introduced to an artist who I believe was friends with Klimt: Egon Schiele..his work is dark and extremely beautiful. Our last stop on our very long day yesterday was Sigmund Freud's house and study which was filled to the brim with diplomas, books, pictures, and original furniture. Despite the fact that the buidling was very poorly ventilated, seeing Freud's house was really great.

And this long, indescribable journey of condensed descriptions ends today. Sara and I decided to wake up early this morning to shower, so we both woke up at 6:45 a.m. to start battling the demon that is the water heater that has been known to cause many problems and break many hygiene hearts. We fuss around with it for about 15 minutes before we both decide that we wouldn't be able to stand for a freezing cold shower and I decide to just stick my head under the faucet and wash my hair. I kid you not, I have never felt water so cold in my life. After a failed attempt at an early morning shower we set out for the Roman Museum and yet another audio tour. It was a really amazing museum, once again filled to the brim with many artifacts and information..so much so that it becomes even more difficult to grasp the idea that Vienna once looked like that. Next, Sara and I visited the MUMOK (some modern art museum) where we discussed our views on minimalistic art..which is always an interesting conversation topic. Hearing that the Leopold Museum housed even more Klimt and Schiele, that was our next stop and I found myself incredibly overwhelmed (but at the same time very happy) with all of the visual stimulation. And our last stop of the day was a Mozart Museum that is in a building that he also had previously lived in. I ended up with mixed feelings about the museum..I don't understand the desire to make every sort of exhibit modern, with screens and installations. Hell, I'd be happy as a clam reading a ton of blurbs on the wall. The audio tour was incredibly hard to follow, jumping from topic to person to topic to person..leading us to often skip over certain rooms when their accomodating audio clip lasted for longer than five minutes with a man speaking in a British accent. Seeing his actual apartment was probably the best part (not because there was actually anything in there, of course) but just to know that he had lived there and our feet were standing on the same ground.
All in all, in two days, we visited 7 museums..my feet ache and I have been nothing but exhausted at the end of each day but I wouldn't take back a single day of my trip to Prague and Vienna. Both cities are indescribable in their beauty and have so much to offer to anyone who comes to see them. And by around 4 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday), I will be back in my little raincloud also known as Lund, Sweden..ready to start school on Monday. Au revoir Vienna!