The Herbst Family: Vienna, Austria

The view of Vienna from the top of the ride

After we had our little treat and rested for a bit (I couldn't resist taking a quick shower), we went for a walk around Vienna. I was in awe of the massive buildings and churches that are hundreds of years old, mixed with little shops and clusters of markets. We took a rail car that looped the "Ringstrasse" which is the main areas of the city and lined with showcase government buildings, museums, the shopping district. We then stopped at this unique park. It now is used as an amusement park, but in 1873, the Austrian-Hungarian capital of Wieen, (Vienna) hosted the World's Fair. The fair was also held in this capital city to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of
Emperor Franz Josef.

Farris Wheel

The view going up!

Admiring the city

There were almost 26,000 exhibitors housed in different buildings that were erected, including this Farris Wheel. It is still one of the largest Farris Wheel today and is unique because you step into a small rectangle wooden box with windows all around each side. It moves very slow and each "car"fits 10-12 people. It was an unforgettable experience and gave us wonderful views of the city. It was built over a hundred years ago and has been updated on several occasions. During World War Two it was almost completely destroyed. The Viennese call the wheel the 'Riesenrad' and hold it in such esteem that it was one of the first structures/buildings to be rebuilt after its destruction during the war.

The view coming down

This is the phone you call while in the park to order your tickets to ride the Riesenrad

After a walk around the park, we headed to this building...just in time to hear the bells chime. It is a city full of cathedrals, churches, and mosques. Everywhere you walk, on the hour, something is chiming. It's a beautiful and magical sound.

Wall art in the subway

St. Charles church along the Ringstrasse. We came right at 6pm to hear the bells chime. My dad told us a story that when he was a younger missionary here in Vienna, he used to ride his bike past this everyday. It always made him smile as he past it, because it reminded him that he was certainly not at home, but loved the look of this beautiful building. Love this example Broque architecture!

For dinner, I wanted an "authentic" Austrian Meal. This is a very typical and common meal that they would fix at home and at a lot at restaurants. They don't usually serve many variety of vegetables I am told...and mostly always eat potatoes with every dinner. The most common way potatoes made is boiled and seasoned, as shown here. The main meat is Schnitzel. is a boneless meat, usually pork, chicken, or veal that is thinned with a hammer, coated with four, beaten eggs and spacial bread crumbs, and then fried. Usually it is doused with fresh lemon juice. It was very flavorful, tender and moist. Two thumbs up! It's was delicious.