Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Alphabeat, Balls, and Christkindlmarkts

Gröss Gott!

A few interesting things have happened since I posted last.

First, I'll tell you about my ball experience. Polly, Natalie, and I had grand plans to curl our hair, which were quickly thwarted once we realized how expensive curlers are. So we did our hair in our own way, did our makeup, and put on our fancy dresses. It took us about 4 hours to get ready, though to be fair most of that time was spent dancing around the apartment to Alphabeat (click here), Rihanna, and other pop music. Classic. Anyway, then a couple of other friends came over, we each had a glass of our 2 Euro champagne (classy, I know), and headed off. I think we may be the only people in Vienna who would take the tram to a ball. But hey! we're poor college kids. The ball was located in the Imperial Palace of the Hapsburg Empire. Needless to say, it was absolutely beautiful. And everyone was in their ball gowns and tuxedos. And apparently, everyone in Vienna is born knowing how to waltz. I can't really describe the experience, it's one of those things you just have to experience. If you ever make it to Vienna, go during the ball season (Jan-March) and bring your dancing shoes!

In other news, my three year anniversary with Stephen was on the 13th. Too bad we were too poor to be able to travel to see each other! Oh well.

I also go to go to my first Christkindlmarkt (Literal translation: Christ child market). I went to the one at the Rathaus (translation: city hall) and it was really, really neat. There were little wooden huts set up all over, decorated with light and ornaments and selling everything Christmas-y: ornaments, roasted chestnuts, advent calendars, candles, and their famous nativity scenes. They also sell Glühwein, a delicious hot, spiced wine. The one at the Rathaus is the most commercial of them all, so I look forward to visiting some of the other dozens of more authentic Christkindlmarkts throughout the city. Note: I think most of people's gifts will be coming from these markts.

I'm going to Zürich this weekend to visit Ben. Should be a lot of fun! The weekend after that, Polly, Natalie, and I are going to go on a "Grand Tour of Austria". This is a replacement for Istanbul, because I couldn't afford it. Anyway, we're going to be going to Linz, Salzburg (location of the Sound of Music), and Innsbruck. I'm really, really excited about it!

I had a realization this morning as I was getting on the U Bahn. Vienna is finally feeling like my third home. I could actually imagine myself living here for an extended period of time and really enjoying it. Funny how I start to feel that way a month before I have to leave.

I am way super poor right now. To blame: 1) Me. 2) The Euro. 3) My loan giving me $2000 less than requested. Everyone should hope/pray that I can make it to December 20th on PB&Js! :)

I am missing you all more than you know. I am really looking forward to seeing people again. If you have a couple of extra minutes, shoot me an e-mail letting me know how you are! My e-mail address is owens.bethany@gmail.com.

Bis Später!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Imperial Palace of the Hapsburg Empire... AWESOME...

Congrats on 3 years... pretty freaking impressive...

I love your reasons for being poor. How much does it suck being surrounded by rich kids?

Sorry about the trip changes, but hell, the sound of music was pretty bitch'n'

Gary said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gary said...

Say what you will, but I miss Istanbul. :-)

(BTW, I'm the one who removed the above post - typos. Sorry, I had no idea that the blogger.com police would bust me, and in such a "look at this" way).

Anonymous said...

HURRAH FOR ANOTHER GREAT POSTING, BETHANY. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD A BALL AT THE BALL (OOPS). HAPPY JOURNEY TO ZURICH, TELL BEN HI FOR US OLD FOLKS. ALSO HAPPY TOURING OF AUSTRIA WITH FRIENDS. ALSO HAPPY HOMECOMING SOON AND ON THE SUBJECT OF BUDGET SHORTFALL, THIS AUTHOR IS WELL EXPERIENCED (BEEN THERE DONE THAT), AND IN THOSE TIMES I AM REMINDED OF THE PART OF AN OLD DEPRESSION ERA SONG THAT GOES LIKE THIS, " IF YOU HAVEN'T ANY MONEY YOU CAN STILL BE BRIGHT AND SUNNY SINGING POLLY WOLLY DOODLE ALL THE DAY" HA, ENOUGH OF THAT BALONEY!!!. IT WILL BE GOOD TO SEE YOU AND ERIN HOME AGAIN. LOVE FROM G AND G O.