I took Em for a picnic at Belvedere Palace and we viewed the art collection – most famously Gustav Klimt’s largest display in the world. We then walked past the opera, shopped in some of my fave shops, walked around Stephansplatz and met up with a bunch of friends at the greatest schnitty joint in town – such a happy day.
Day 2 was of a gigantic scale – we went with all the funnest kids of exchange – Nikki (& lover), Matt (& sister), Shan, Heather and Sabrina, on a wine tasting bike tour in the Wachau Valley (a region protected as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, full of stunning baroque architecture, atmospheric towns, vineyards and orchards). Some would say it was a result of the wine that Matt and later Emma crashed into the road work barriers (they have denied the claim and continue to blame other contributing factors). We went from town to town sampling wines, liqueurs, chocolates, jams and spreads and had a fantastic Austrian BBQ lunch. We spent time by the Danube and climbed (more like trekked) to the top of the castle ruins in Dürnstein (this is where Richard the Lionhart, King of England – of the famous Robin Hood, was kept prisoner for years at a ransom of a ransom of 30 tons of silver and gold). The views = sensational, the hike up there = exhausting. It was such a lovely ‘last hurrah’ with everyone and the sad goodbyes began that night. I finally had to say goodbye to Nikki as we sat on the rooftop eating kebabs. I will miss my cooking buddy and neighbour greatly.
Em and I had our final day in Vienna checking out all the buildings we hadn’t yet seen, having dinner at my favourite restaurant in Vienna during the pm with a whole bunch of friends and finished the night at Ride Club. This was perhaps not what Em had expected but we happily danced the night away before the final goodbyes were said and done.
In some kind of attempt to summarise my time in Vienna, here’s a mention of some of those that made this semester a joy....Nikki – the sweet and perfect but really somewhat sarcastic and fun Canadian
Matt – my substitute brother and last minute coffee friend
Lydia – the crazy, beautiful, full of life American
Heather – my Spain companion and extraordinary cook
Shan – the inappropriate, yet hilarious girl from Perth
Robbie – the argument starter but the one who was always there for a genuine conversation
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