Time is passing quickly in Vienna as we have finally fallen into spring. I can’t believe it, but my time here is almost up. In less than a week’s time I will be leaving Vienna and beginning a new adventure.
In the meantime, I have been doing my best to soak up Vienna and take in the sights and sounds I don’t want to miss. Life has been full with preparation for my impending departure as well as exploring Vienna and beyond. Here are some of the highlights!
Donauturm (Danube Tower)
We visited the Donauturm as part of the celebration of the fair Anne Marie’s 7th birthday. In addition to a meal in a slowly rotating tower with panoramic views of the city, we got an unexpected bonus. It turns out they have bungee jumping from the tower. No… we didn’t go bungee jumping. Just watching people lean backwards and fall off the tower was enough excitement for me. Unbelievable. If you look closely at the photo on the right you can see a faint black line to the left of the tower. That is a bungee jumper dangling in mid-air after their descent. After completing their jump they were slowly lowered down to the ground.
Wiener-Symphoniker Konzert
Upon the advice of my hostess, I headed to the Musikverein to see a classical Vienna concert, something not to be missed in Vienna. As tickets sold out quickly, I was only able to purchase a general admission ticket. I arrived a bit early to see if I could buy a better ticket informally outside of the concert house. Lucky for me a kind older man had an extra ticket as his wife couldn’t attend. He was an Austrian man who was generous with introducing me to the culture and tradition of the Musikverein. Our seats were quite good even though we were a bit clumsily arranged in a tiny space, shuffling our seats this way and that way to fit comfortably. My “ticket salesman” and host for the evening said, “Austrians may not be the most organized but we have a lot of heart.” And indeed they do. We continued to watch the passionate concert featuring the music of Richard Strauss and Franz Schubert.
Art of Silence Course, Bad Antogast, Germany
It was almost ten years ago that I discovered the Art of Living. An international spiritual and humanitarian organization, they made their way to New Orleans not long after Hurricane Katrina. Their intent, led by Indian guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is to teach practical techniques to assist with managing stress and emotion. Over the years I have found their techniques helpful and the organization and leader filled with nothing but integrity. I simply couldn’t pass up an opportunity to attend one of their pillar courses, the Art of Silence, held at their European Center in Bad Antogast, Germany.
Getting there (and back) was a windy tour through many of Germany’s train stations. The lengthy but leisurely train journey was certainly worth the while. Nestled in the hills of the Black Forest, the Art of Living Ashram was the perfect location for my 5 day dive into the Art of Silence Retreat which included a 2.5 day period of silence. With 25 other participants from an international array of countries, it was indeed a juicy journey. The experience has left me altered in a deep way and connected with something within me that is unexpected and cannot be replaced. It was one of the most profound, insightful and healing experiences I have ever had. I have a renewed spirit for my daily spiritual practices and a new set of tools to assist me on this continued journey of being human.
The founder of the Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, made a one day appearance at the Ashram during the course. An internationally respected spiritual leader who attracts audiences of 1000s, it was quite an opportunity to connect in a more private and intimate setting. Just being in his presence felt like a gift and celebrating in a community with him was nothing less than pure joy.
Madame Butterfly, Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera)
I didn’t want to leave Vienna without going to the Opera. I have never been before and it was an experience in Vienna I didn’t want to miss. And now I have seen an Opera… well, mostly seen one. It was the Friday night performance of Madame Butterfly and all tickets were sold out. I went to the Opera House on the chance that I could buy a ticket on the street before the performance. I found an eager if not slightly crafty group of gentlemen selling tickets outside the entrance. I took a leap and bought a ticket from them and found my way in. I was relieved at least the ticket got me in the door without anyone batting an eye. I was disappointed in part when I was led to my seat. The location was great, the second level not far from the stage. The problem lie in the position of my seat. I was in one of the small rooms that encircled the opera house. It was filled with 6 seats, all quiet good except, unfortunately… my seat. From sitting relaxed in my chair I could only see 3/4 of the stage at best. How frustrating! But in truth I took a risk in buying the ticket and the costs was not that expensive. So, all in all, I was happy to be inside watching instead of not.
Throughout the performance, if I leaned to the left… and on occasion stood up and leaned far to the right I could catch most of what was going on. Not quite the relaxing trip to the opera I was hoping for. But still the beauty of the opera, the music and the opera house itself were well worth the visit. Unforgettable.
What’s Next?
And so, for now, I remain in Vienna grateful for a few more days here, but earnestly preparing for my next stop. And while I am not yet going to share my next destination, it won’t be long before you will be hearing from me from my new location.
Bye for now from the warm spring days in Vienna as I prepare for a new adventure.
Gypsy Woman 