One of the reasons I immigrated to the Netherlands was to see more of the world. Thus far, I've been making good on that promise. Over the course of my first nine months here, I've seen various parts of the Netherlands itself. I've also traveled to Antwerp, Belgium; Düsseldorf, Germany; Monschau, Germany; and Mallorca, Spain. This month, I traveled to Vienna, Austria, and here's what I thought.
The architecture is awe-inspiring, truly. The churches and castles are major attractions, but just walking through the city is an experience in itself. The best way I've heard it described is, "Every building looks like it's trying to be better than the last." The attention to detail and the scale can numb your senses after a while. It reminded me of Paris, but even though there were many tourists, it didn't feel overcrowded. It felt clean.
Much like Paris, the sense of history you get from the place is remarkable. I particularly loved that so many historically significant sites, like the castles, were open to the public. We didn't have to pay entrance fees to walk through the castle grounds. This allowed locals to walk or run through the grounds as well, giving a true sense that history was being embraced, not just put on display. These monuments, built through tyranny and oppression, are now accessible to everyone. I found that to be beautiful.
To me, personally, the food was good, but it's not what I'll remember. The people were nice enough, but I didn't feel the kind of warmth that leaves a lasting impression. I enjoyed the natural sights that begin to envelop the city's outskirts. In contrast to the super-urbanized and flat Netherlands where I currently reside, the forests and mountains gave me a sweet sense of home in South Africa. This feeling was enhanced by the loving hospitality I received from lifelong friends from the same country. I couldn't help but compare these vastly different countries and the lifestyles they offer.
Of course, a week in a city leaves much more to be discovered. Maybe one day I'll return. But for now, I'll look fondly back at Vienna, a stunning place that encompasses extraordinary feats of human endeavor, packaged so conveniently for our collective appreciation. Perhaps its scale is too great for me to feel truly settled. Onto the next adventure.
Cheers.
"From Paris we took the Orient Express to Vienna. I must say I was terribly disappointed; nobody was murdered on the train."
- George Burns