I've decided that from now on I will call every city just as the locals do, i.e. Vienna will be now Wien, Turin Torino, Milan Milano, Genoa Genova and Venice Venezia.. just sounds sexier.. it's a good thing that the French - or at least the Monegasaques in Monaco - and Italians don't call Munich by the same name, i.e. Monaco coz that would be v confusing..
Wien's beauty has captured me.. it may not be the same city that it was 2 centuries ago with the Hapsburgs and when it was the capital of the Austro-Hungary Empire (Holy Roman Empire) and it owned places like Prague, Budapest, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Venezia, Warsaw - a bit disappointed with the music scene, was expecting to find at least a few violin shops in Wien but haven't even found one.. the people at EMI Music on the Greben didn't even know any which I actually gasp at considering this was the city where the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Haydn, etc. flourished.. at least they still have concerts in the churches and even the Orangery of the Schonnbrunn Castle - definitely a highlight for me seeing the royal room, have kinda become a bit of a palace buff seeing all these royal rooms once lived in by the Tuscans and the Hapsburgs..
actually went to the Orangery of the Schonnbrunn on Friday night to see the Schonnbrunn Ensemble play Mozart's and Johann Strauss' most famous pieces.. it may not be the greatest orchestral performance ever - was never going to be coz the Blue Danube and Figaro are so internationally known, that I myself can play them off without paper music - but i thought the pitch and synchronisation by the ensemble team was perfect and the baritone and soprano were both brilliant - v relaxed whilst always hitting their notes - and the ballet, well it was actually the first time i'd seen a ballet so it was great.. all in all a memorable night and one i thoroughly enjoyed.. it was my first classical orchestra concert in many years and it's kinda awaken the sleeping giant in me.. anyway off to Salzburg tomorrow, the home of Mozart and a bit of a smaller city than Wien so might have a bit more luck finding a violin shop where I will pretend to say I'm looking for a violin and try take it for a test run..
have to say now my favourite cities atm are in the order of Paris, London and then Barcelona and Wien jostling it out.. they are actually both v similar cities - heck their metro signs are exactly of the same style and FC Barcelona was founded by an Austrian! i'd have to say Barca wins out on the Latin factor and that the weather is a lot better.. the sun has struggled to come out at times in Wien but even when it does, it's still quite cold, as u'd expect of the city at this time of the year.. and of course Wien is a German/Austrian city so everything is bound to be efficient.. and it has wonderful museums too.. but Wien is cold at night and the shops are closed at night bar the Nike one on the main shopping throughfare.. still quite a lot of people walking on it though oogling at the fine silver spoons that would do Sissi v proud.. but what can ya really do when the shops are closed.. after walking through Wien at night - still a v beautiful city at night as all cities are when the lights are on - prob have to say Barcelona might pass Wien on this.. but still two wonderful cities..
highlights - the Hofsburg and the Schonnbrunn palaces.. i´ve realised that i´m actually quite the palace buff and quite looking at the rooms and beds - a bit Spartan u´ll be surprised when u see the bed that the Emperor Franz Joseph used to sleep on, makes my bed look quite flash actually, both the one in Dunedin and Wellington.. the dining rooms always catch my eve coz i reckon they are always the msot beautiful although so was the main gala room at Schonnbrunn.. the Schonnbrunn is also famous for its garden which is modelled on the Versailles at least if not as big as it - at Versailles the end of it could be in Rouen and u still wouldn´t know if u reached the end! the Leopold which i rate highly.. one of the great art galleries in the world and a must see in Wien.. which must make the Kunsthistories and Belvedre like the best in the world.. will prob see them soon as will i see that other art gallery i forgot which starts with A in town.. the one that Bill Bryson be-rated ages ago in his book..
oh yeah not forgetting had lunch like the Kaiser himself at this really flash looking cafe called Cafe Central near the Palais Festre.. it´s interior is styled like a Baroque Palace with chandeliers and arches.. shame the service isn´t quite as good as it should be.. although it´s the same with every other German/Austrian place that i´ve been to so far bar the local diner which i think might be owned by non-German/Austrians.. whatever it is, the French and Italians show the rest of the world how to serve people food and drink..
anyway tomorrow Salzburg and Mozart and Sound of Music country.. plus i hear the countryside is beautiful - well did see it in Band of Brothers and thought have to see that place.. weather doesn´t look promising although it rarely is at this time of the year.. ciao! will write more then and post a few more photos!
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