Vienna, Austria's main city, is home to several colorful and fantastic Christmas markets. This one again on the main square of the city in front of City Hall, shown in the background of this photo.
This picture was taken after we left the market area in search of an ATM. We walked to a main street in downtown Vienna because someone told us we could find banks on that street. We got to the street, saw no banks but saw a couple of guys walking our direction on the sidewalk. Melanie called over to them to see if they could direct us to an ATM. As they approached, I noticed the tale-tale badge recognized around the world. Yes, it was a couple of LDS missionaries. Being missionaries, they did not know where a bank was either, but we had a nice visit. They were surprised to find someone so friendly to them. One elder was from Chicago and the other from the eastern part of Germany. They were on their way to an Institute Class at the University across the street. We also went the Christmas Market at the Schoenbrunn Palace, a remarkable palace, one of the homes of the Habsburg Dynasty, who ruled for over 600 years in Austria and surrounding countries as far away as Spain. Toward the end of the Dynasty, Maximilian, Emperor of Mexico was part of the family. Tradition says that Mozart first performed for Empress Maria Theresa and her daughter Marie Antoinette at the Palace when he was 5 years old. After his performance, he jumped onto Marie Antoinette's lap, kissed her, and said "Will you marry me !"
The spirit of Christmas was even evident in the commercial part of the city as seen on the modern high-rise building in downtown Vienna. Melanie snapped this photo from the car as we were stopped at a stop-light.
Vienna was also the home to Sigmund Freud. You know his famous saying . . .
"I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met."
This view at Belvedere Palace is looking at the lower buildings. Housed in both the upper and lower courts of Belvedere are important art works of Austrian artists, including Gustav Klimpt, famous for his work "The Kiss", which is on display at the Belvedere along with many other works from Austrian artists. At the end of this walkway, which appears great for wheelchair access, is a staircase of about 30 steps. We made it down the stairs but had to return by leaving the palace grounds and walking around on the city sidewalks. It was all interesting. Speaking of access, at Schroenbrunn Palace, we were able to access the second and third floors via a small elevator which was actually installed the 1700's for Maria Theresa who had "bad knees". When she needed to go to those floors, a group of servants would pull on ropes attached to pulleys to raise the elevator cab. (Servants have been replaced by electric motors)
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