European Vacation--The Wurstelprater, Vienna. And Yes, I'm Scared of Heights

Tonight, I feel the need to post more of the over one thousand of photos I took in Europe. Oh how I miss you, Vienna!On our last night in Vienna we made our way to the Prater to take a gander at the giant Ferris Wheel. The Prater is a huge park in Vienna and within it is the Wurstelprater, an amusement park.

We arrived when it was just getting dark, so we didn't get to visit the park but we did wander around the Wurstelprater for quite some time.

The park has been described on a couple of Austrian websites as being "seedy" "scruffy" or "filthy". I didn't see that at all. The place was most assuredly neat and tidy and I never felt unsafe or that I was in some seedy part of town.

At the Prater is one Vienna's landmarks and one of the destinations I was most excited about, the giant ferris wheel. As I mentioned it was growing dark as we approached, making my photos a bit on the dark side, but here's a link to a daytime photo.The ferris wheel, or Wiener Riesenrad as it's known in Austria, was originally built in 1896 and is one of the oldest(that's still running) in the world. During WWII it was bombed but rebuilt between 1945-1947. There is a small museum at the entrance which houses several of the gondolas and has historical information about the ferris wheel. Here's the official site for the Riensenrad. It's in German, but there's a link for English....and some more photos from around the park...
Because it is not a Vienna landmark, has no history behind it and is too freakin' tall, I had no desire to ride THIS ferris wheel. But it did make a purty picture.After all my wanting to see it and ride, I almost didn't get on the Riesenrad. I have a slight problem w/heights as in I am scared. of. heights. but I realized I would probably never have the chance again and it was either Jackie or Scott who told me I'd regret not riding. SO I rode.

It wasn't bad, really! See, I'm smiling! Note the absense of my sister? She's even more afraid of heights than I am. The views were amazing! Well worth the fear.

Ah, Vienna...

While I enjoyed and was blown away by every place we visited in Central Europe, I must say that if I could only visit one of those cities again, it would be Vienna. Both old and new, quaint and metropolitan, relaxing and exciting, it is truly an incredible city.

Here are some random impressions a month later. Why did I not keep a journal while I was traveling??? Anyways...

• The city was extremely clean and neat and orderly.
• We were out fairly late and rode on the subway quite often and I never once got a creepy or unsafe feeling. I get those feeling in the parking lot at WalMart here at home.
• I did a lot of people watching on the subways and I think(or perhaps want to think) I was pretty good at distinguishing folks from Vienna vs. the German folk and tourists. Austrian people are pretty people y'all.
• GREAT food!
  
• Expensive. Expensive. Expensive.
• Cultural experiences are literally around every corner.
• Some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen was in Vienna.
  
• A day and a half is not nearly enough time to experience this marvelous city.

Despite the fact that ours was a whirlwind tour and we saw only a fraction of the city, I was completely taken in by Vienna and if I could, I'd be back there tomorrow.

Now, for some photos. Waaaay too many to photoshop and straighten. Just tilt your head slightly if they look a little crooked.

This is one of my favorite photos...I have no idea what this building is, it looks like a hotel to me...we were waiting to catch the bus that goes around the Ringstrasse when I snapped it.A film festival was going on while we were there. We meant to go back and catch a least a bit of it but got completely distracted by the Wurstelprater. Which was AWESOME. Photos to come...
Parliament building. Absolutely gorgeous.


Taking a break from sightseeing on the Parliament stairs.

One of Vienna's most famous residents. When I make it back to Vienna, I'd love to visit the home of Mozart.Speaking of Mozart...Jackie and I had a full body shiver inducing conversation w/a creepy man who was most likely NOT Viennese(dark skin, dark hair, dark eyes) in a Mozart costume outside the Vienna Opera House. His wife(also dressed as Mozart) was equally creepy. I won't go into details but let's just say this guy was into "open marriage". Blech...there I go full body shivering again. Let's get that whole scenario out of our mind w/a nice photo of the four of us as we approached a palace, shall we...OK. That's enough for one post. I have a ton more photos from Vienna, but I'll save those for another day.