Playing Tourist

The past few months have been a crazy whirlwind of spending long days in various libraries and work spaces around town while still attempting to get in some travel and fun activities.  The last couple weeks seemed to be a concentrated version of that, first pushing myself to finish a full draft of my thesis to be submitted for feedback from my supervisor, and then having a friend come visit and running around doing all sorts of fun touristy things. 

The courtyard at the main University of Vienna campus.  While I always enjoy my time up on Kahlenberg, sometimes it is nice to enjoy a nice, quiet library space a bit closer to home.

We also had the Long Night of the Churches a couple weeks ago.  It turned out to be a beautiful evening, perfect for wandering into churches which we pass on a regular basis but may never have been inside.

Inside the Schottenstift

Votivkirche

And then last Sunday, Catherine arrived! She just finished her MBA back in Virginia, and had a break before moving to Atlanta to begin her new job, so she came to visit for a week.

The roses blooming in Volksgarten

The weather Sunday was picture perfect, so we started up at the top of Kahlenberg and walked down through the vineyards, stopping multiple places along the way all afternoon.  A very nice way to combat jet lag.

Catherine had never been to Prague either, so we decided to take a quick overnight trip up there as well.  We didn't luck out quite as much with the weather, although thankfully they were mostly just passing thunderstorms.  It did add a bit of drama to the whole experience.

Waiting out a rather strong wind and hailstorm, a bit of a bonding experience for all of us huddled under these outdoor umbrellas.

Looking out over Prague from the castle

Riding back through the Czech Republic and Austria

Thursday evening was the annual Sommernachtskonzert at Schönbrunn by the Vienna Philharmonic.  The weather was again a bit of a question mark, but the rain stopped just in time for the concert to begin and didn't start up again until we were on the way home!

Saturday we took the train to Salzburg for the day and finally got to see some blue skies again.  It was a quick day trip, but I really do always enjoy it there.  

Looking out from the fortress which still hosts some of my most favorite views anywhere, in all seasons.

And we did the official Sound of Music tour, although at this point if anyone just gives me a car I could gladly lead it as well.  But we enjoyed our bus full of Americans and our tour guide full of bad puns and sang along all afternoon.

One perk of the tour is that it does take you out into the lake district a bit which always looks as if you've jumped inside a painting or something, so gorgeous.

And then back in Vienna, spending another Sunday afternoon in a Heuriger, enjoying good food and good company.

Catherine left this morning, and now for me it's back to making these final thesis edits and getting things ready for some upcoming events, including our school's annual International Day this Thursday.  Time to get all of my red, white, and blue together and channel my American self!