Vienna

We were only in Vienna for two days. It was delightful, but boring. The issue is not with the city, but with our lack of time. To become acquainted with cities you need SO .Much.Time. It was a few days lacking in heart to be sure.

The other issue is that we were staying in a hostel that resembled a hotel. We had our own private ensuite room which was great, but it also meant we didn't get to talk to anyone else.

The first day we walked around the old town (as usual for awhile) and Spencer and I came to two very obvious conclusions:
1. We are sick of old towns and the stereotypical culture imbued in it.
2. We are sick of capital cities, their pomp and blah.

I have been collecting, along the way, brochures for hostels in remote mountain areas, or smaller undiscovered towns. They're going in my wish box, with all of my other innumerable travel plans.
But to remedy this issue immediately, we've scrapped our travel itinerary for the time being. We're heading from Budapest (where we are currently) to Croatia for a lovely long time, and then to Sarajevo via smaller mountain towns and then to Belgrade where I fly out to meet Erin.

Anywho. Our first day we were bored within a couple of hours, so we took a tour of the Austrian Parliament buildings. They were really lovely, especially their two formal debating/deliberation/bill passing rooms. Very Greek. On our way out, we were pinned against the wall by security because the former prime minister of Iran was passing. He was short, and had a very kind face. That was exhilerating!

The next day we walked around a bit more. That night Spencer and I purchased tickets to the Vienna Opera House. Oddly enough, we were watching a ballet.
Before it started we milled about outside and ran into a Kurdish protest that was loud, well attended, and swimming in police security.
At the opera, we had the shittiest seats ever. So we moved after the first act, into the 21 euro seats. The ballet (Mayerling) was good, but the building it was in was stunning. Everyone was dressed to the nines (which made me feel like a poor traveler). If I lived there, I would buy season tickets, and nice dresses and take myself out, just to feel amazing walking up the red carpet on the marble staircases. That would be just perfect I think.