08/08 - 08/09
After sleeping in until almost noon on Thursday (08/08), I made myself a quick bite before leaving the apartment building with a couple other students. We passed the Austrian Parliament Building while walking through the city. As a dual-major History and Poly Sci student, it thrilled me (and probably only me) to be able to see and take a few pictures of this important government building. Despite my excitement, we decided not enter the Austrian Parliament Building as our primary goal of the day was to finally eat at Café Central—the most renowned cafe in Austria. However, with the unfortunate cancellation of the Eras concerts in Vienna (devastating myself and other ticket holders), many Taylor Swift fans apparently had the same idea, thereby flocking to Café Central.
With the line for Café Central extending well down the street, it took well over half an hour before we managed to acquire a table. However, it was well worth the wait. Taking my time to eat and drink what I ordered, everything—from the traditional Austrian dessert of Kaiserschmarrn sweetened pancakes with cooked plums to the alcoholic Amadeus double shot espresso—was delicious. Noting that I had bought only a handful of gifts for myself or to bring home to my family, I made sure to stop by the cafe's gift shop before leaving. Along with buying a few tea sets for some of the older members of my family, I also purchased a poster depicting the various famous regulars of the establishment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Leon Trotsky, Sigmund Freud, and Robert Musil were only a handful of the many intellectuals that patronized the cafe. Following this, we passed through a shopping center to purchase a few more gifts before returning back to the apartment building.
Nearing the end of the line at Café Central.
After stopping by a cafe for a late breakfast (08/09), I traveled in a group to the Art History Museum's parallel twin building: the Natural History Museum. While at this museum, we passed through many different exhibits, including the evolution of man, animals from around the world, and relics of Austria's past. What most caught my eye was the Venus of Willendorf, a 29,500-year-old statue that was discovered in Austria in the early twentieth century. Depicting a faceless woman with a plump stomach, this statue is theorized to be a self-portrait of a nude pregnant female. With no mirrors, the woman thus portrayed herself with a featureless face and a large belly. As the statue was given its own small room within the Natural History Museum, it is clear that the Venus of Willendorf is held in high regards by Austrian society—and justifiably so!
The famed Venus of Willendorf statue.
Before leaving the Natural History Museum, I stopped by the gift shop to buy a few postcards and a keychain of the Venus of Willendorf. We then passed by the Naschmarkt to buy some groceries and more things to take back home. My favorite shop was a Mediterranean market stand, which sold delicious falafel balls and baklava desserts. Though much of the Naschmarkt is a bit pricey, it was an enjoyable experience to end the day.
Our walk through the restaurants and shops of the Naschmarkt.
German Words of the Day: Später (Later) & Brief (Letter)
Provided by: Transparent Language