No Reservations

 Though I have no idea how to break into the business, it has always been my dream to become the next Anthony Bourdain. Perhaps with less of an attitude problem, and a greater desire to push my boundaries and keep snarky comments to myself.

 Alright, so maybe I'm not that eager to jump in front of a camera, but hey, what a sweet gig! If you've never heard of him, Anthony Bourdain hosts a travel-the-world-one-plate-at-a-time show called No Reservations, the title of which has become one of my personal mantras. While the phrase could be taken many ways, I like to think of it as having nothing to lose, and everything to gain. I'll go into a situation with no reservations.

Latelly this has led me to tour the Catacombs beneath St. Stephens, drink copious amounts of sweet Austrian wine, spontaneously travel to Croatia, and hear Carmina Burana performed at the Musikverein.

In Lieu of chronicling every last detail here are some photos:

After watching Bourdain's Vienna episode Holly and I set out to track down the perfect Sausage and tour the city.

April Fools!

Meredith and I at the Easter Market in true Hapsburg style.

Unfortunately the Easter season has passed, thus marking an end to the Milka Egg era of my stay. Alas, I'll be filling my suitcase with other chocolately confections and shall continue to live every moment here as if my stay is coming to a close.

Oh, well, it sort of is.

Prost, to Spring and new adventures.

-Austrian Muffin, and my Husky friends

Surprise!

Bike Fest at the Rathaus! This was such a wonderful surprise, as I had no idea this was happening. There were these guys flipping and tumbling through the air, a chamois-clad accapella group, DJs playing our favorite 80s tunes (if you've ever been in Europe you have absolutely had that moment, or moments, in which you are standing in a most epic location whilst "Dancing Queen," something by Celine Dion, or a 90s song you never knew existed floats through the air), and a bike parade rounded out the morning.

Here are some of my favorite happenings:

Unicorn Bike

The beginning of the Parade



This Guy.



...A Little Help from My Friends

 Time. Flys. I don't know how I feel about this..


 The past two months have been truly incredible. Vienna has began its transition, though a bit spastically, into Spring and I've ventured to distant places, celebrated holidays, and made the most of my time here. I have been lucky enough to have quite a few visitors, with two Ithacans in Vienna as of late.

 Christie O'Shea is currently spending her last few precious days in Paris, France, where she is working as an Au Pair. Fortunately she took a trip through Germany and ended up here with me. During her stay I had to spend a great deal of time at school, but she discovered the city by running nearly every day. I'm not entirely sure where she went myself, but feel confident that she saw all there is to see. It was SO nice to spend time with someone I went to college with. I found myself singing our favorite songs while at school, and laughing out loud on the train back home. I was filled with memories of our summer as Orientation Leaders, and the ridiculous moments we shared. Christie and I walked the city, shopped a bit, caught up on life, enjoyed the Grinzing wine and traditional food experience, skated in the winter wonderland that is the Wiener Eistraum at the Rathaus, drank beer, and reminisced. This was so needed.

I still need Christie's pics of her visit. So here is me excited about beer on one of our jaunts.

In a few short months Christie will be retuning to France to get her Masters. So proud!

Shortly after Frau Katie Schnieder made the journey across the Atlantic to spend some time in Wien. After waiting nearly an hour for her in the airport, she cleared passport control, customs, and baggage and we were together at last. You see, Katie and I have known each other since Freshmen year of college, and this is the longest we've been apart since.

A bit windy at Schoenbrunn

Time seemed to stand still, yet time flew as always. We took a day trip to drizzly yet every gorgeous Salzburg for some mountain air. We ate and did traditional things like no one's business. I'm not sure I could have handled anymore chocolate, and that's saying something.

Katie above Salzburg

We climbed the to the castle in Salzburg, walked the city, enjoyed the Naschmarkt, did some medical anthropology (more on that later), drank some wine, and caught up. I was so excited to have her here that I was trying desperately to show her everything. I think I was successful, as we were both exhausted by the end of every day. I hated having to go to school and leave her behind, though clearly Katie was able to discover things on her own. I just wanted to be there!

Intricate Easter Egg in the Christmas Shop turned EasterChristmas Shop

Katie is now back in Syracuse working towards her masters in nutrition. I am so excited to see her, and Christie, once I return.
Simply put, my friends are awesome, they rock my socks, make my world go round, and I don't know what I would do without them.

Much Love,
Austrian Muffin