Vienna, Austria.

Exploring Vienna, Austria:

My beautiful mother.

 Cuisine:

Pumpkin stuffed ravioli with fresh parmesan and brown butter.

Italian spaghetti & artichoke pizza.

Cigarretes on the dinner menu, this really is Europe ;)

Best bakery ever.

Schönbrunn Palace

  The land had been in the possession of the Habsburgs since 1569, when the wife of Emperor Ferdinand II. had a summer residence built there in 1642, which she called "Schönbrunn".  The palace and garden complex built here from 1696, after the Turkish occupation, was redesigned from the ground up by Maria Theresia after 1743.  In 1772, six-year-old child Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gave a concert in the Hall of Mirrors.  The palace has over 1,400 rooms.

A Japanesse family had their wedding in the gardens of the palace!

 Vienna State Opera House:

My fabulous Mama before the opera!  And elderly woman stopped my mom on the way to the opera and put ten euros in her hand-- told her she was an extremely beautiful woman :)

Glass of wine at intermission :)

The cast.  Encore!  Encore!

Mom, changing out of her four-inch heels immediately after the opera.

..however, a funny thing happened on the way to the opera.  My mom and I were rushing

to the entrance in our high heels.  While hurrying in, I notice my mom is missing.  I look back

and her heel was stuck in the gutter cover.  It was seriously right out of a movie.  My savior instinct came on and I hurried over and wiggled her shoe out.  But, not without struggle and almost falling over.  I slipped it back on her foot and exclaimed "lets go, lets go!"  We looked at each other and thought REALLY?  At least we provided entertainment for the people outside :)

"La Traviata"

  Tuesday, 10.18.11 my mother and I attended the opera.  La Traviata (which translates as “the fallen woman”) is a tragic love story.  This opera was performed on the same stage 100 years ago.  The female character Violetta,  played by a 46 old woman (who looks maybe 30,) is from a prestigious family.  One night at an evening party, thrown to  celebrate Violetta's improved health, she met a man named Alfredo.  Alfredo declared that he had visited her everyday for one year while she was ill and was deeply in love with her.  Violetta resisted and told Alfredo she was incapable of love.  The next act opens with the new couple, months later, intoxicated with their love for one another.  It was such a beautiful act, they were staring deeply into one another’s eyes and pronouncing their undying love.  One day, while Alfredo was away, his father Giorgio payed a visit to Violetta.  Giorgio declared that Alfredo’s sister's fiancé would not marry his sister if Alfredo did not return to the family.  After much convincing Violetta realized her love for Alfredo was so profound that she would sacrifice anything for him—including her own happiness.  Violetta leaves Alfredo with merely a note saying “by the time you read this..”  Alfredo becomes histarical, incredibly heart broken, and at the same time angry.  Days later, Alfredo catches word that Violetta is attending a dance; he shows up to the event intoxicated by substance rather than love.  Alfredo sees Violetta with another man and becomes enraged.  Alfredo calls her a whore and throws money at her.  The next act opens at the Violetta's house, where she has become victim to her illness and is fading quickly.  Finally, Alfredo learns of the woman’s sacrifice and immediately comes to see her.  Alfredo and Violetta declare their love for one another, announcing they cannot live without each other, that their love is all consuming.  As her illness is clearly taking her with each moment, she tells Alfredo that she wants him to marry again & show his wife her photograph.  Alfredo refuses saying he could never love anyone besides herself.  

[Alfredo:]
Love is a heartbeat throughout the universe,
 mysterious,  altering,
 the torment and delight of my heart

[Violetta:]
Oh! Oh! Love!
Madness! Euphoria

---Moments later, Violetta dies in Alfredo’s arms.

  The opera was the most powerful thing I have ever seen.  The emotion, vocal skills, string quartet, and the story of all consuming love had me teary eyed the whole performance.  I have heard that people either love or hate the opera.  I am officially all consumed with my love of the opera and am eagerly awaiting my next chance to experience the magic, that is the opera.