In Vienna

Tim and I have been in Vienna for 2 days now, and we'll be leaving for Istanbul tomorrow.

Today we went to a *very* *heavy* Wagnerian opera. The opera house, like much of old Vienna is opulant and we felt somewhat out of place. We got 'standing room' standing spots for 3.5 euro each (standing about 4 hours - whew!). It was worth it for the experience, but we will be heading out for a beer to recover. Think themes of sin, redemption, guilt, suffering, more suffering, more sin, temptation, more suffering (you get the picture) accommpanied by heavy (but sometimes very beautiful) stringed instrument dominated music and most guests dressed up to the 9's. Yup, my kinda thing. ;^) I think we're getting the picture as to why supposedly Vienna has a high suicide rate.

Yesterday we strolled around the historic buildings, shelling out a few euros to go inside the palace library (State Hall). The library was amazing with statues, vaulted ceilings, old manuscripts - just the kind of place to make you go wow. Actually, a lot of the buildings in this area do that for you - Vienna is definitely a classy place. We went to a Haydn (sp?) concert at St. Peter's church for 10 euro (violins) and the music and acoustics were awesome in a beautiful cathedral! We liked it better than than the St. Stephensdom (sp?) cathedral were every book tells you to go.

Austrians seem to be very serious. If these guys are lighter and more friendly than the Germans as some have said, then.... hmmmm.

Forgot to say... Vıenna ıs amazıngly clean and safe. The hostel (Womats) ıs A++ for cleanlıness and safety and quıetness, ıt has a very very good bar wıth very good musıc, and also provıdes a good breakıe wıth great coffee.

Time for beer!