Breweries, Parliament, & Abbeys

This week was a busy one but a lot of fun! On Monday the OK Program had us do a Scavenger Hunt to learn the school and city better. We had to find out how much a small piece of the original Sacher-Torte is, dress up in traditional Austrian clothes and take a funny picture, and find out the opening hours of a Billa grocery store. It was quite an interesting afternoon. Then of course, we went to Ride Club on Monday night, as its Erasmus night, it was fun as usual. They play good music and everyone was dancing.

Wednesday, after german class (which has been actual torture, but only a few more days left!), Louise, Elizabeth and I met up to get lunch. We ate at a delicious Italian Restaurant in the city center. We ate outside and I had pumpkin soup and a pizza with ham, mushrooms, and artichoke hearts. It was fantastic. But then when we got the check, there was a "set menu" charge of 2.50 euros per person, typical tourist rip off but we loved the food so we didn't complain too much. Then we went to the Sacher Hotel's Café to get the original Sacher-Torte, a chocolate cake with a thin layer of jam that is famous to Vienna, and a Apfelstruddel to share between the three of us. It was busy so we took it to go and sat on a bench in the city center and ate our delicious desserts. We tried to tour Stephansdom with Cori after that but the woman said it closed at 4:30, even though our guide book says it is open until 10, so we are going to try to go back on Monday a little earlier instead. We went to Loco on Wednesday night, which was fun but I definitely prefer Ride because Loco was so crowded and you can't really dance there.'

Louise and I with our Sacher-Torte & ApfelStruddel!

Thursday, the OK Program took us to the Ottakringer Brewery, one of Vienna's most popular beer companies and the only one with a brewery in Vienna. We toured the Brewery and our guide described how they make it and how the process works. I have toured a few wineries so it was interesting to see the difference between the process of making wine and beer. Then our guide took us to the cellars where the old huge barrels are that they used to make the beer in before the new technology. Some people actually went in the barrels! There was a tiny opening that if you went in sideways you could fit. It was quite funny, I didn't believe the guide when he told us that you could actually get in there! After the tour we were able to go upstairs and try some of the beers that they make. They had 8 beers on tap and I tried a few of them. They were all pretty good but they had one that has a blackberry lemonade mixed into it that was really delicious!

The barrels that people crawled into!

On Friday we toured Parliament in the afternoon. The building is very old and beautiful. Sadly some parts of it were destroyed during WWII when the Allies bombed it because Hitler had people working out of the building but a lot of it was still intact. It was interesting to learn a little bit about the Austrian political system. The public is able to go and watch during the sessions so maybe I will go check it out one day.

The old state room of Parliament.

Friday night, I went out to dinner with Louise, Xander, Julian, and Abe. We went to this restaurant I found in my guidebook called Gasthaus Ubl. The book said it was a traditional Austrian restaurant with friendly staff and delicious traditional food where many locals go. We had a fantastic austrian meal. Julian, who is from the Netherlands, helped us a little bit with the menu because they didn't have an English version of the specials. Everyone really enjoyed their food. I had a glass of their house red wine and Schweinbraten mit Semmelknödel und salat which is a roast pork with gravy, a big dumpling, and a salad. I really enjoyed it. Then we went to Zanoni & Zanoni, one of Vienna's best ice cream places to get some dessert. I had one scoop of kaffee (coffee) and one scoop of shokolade (chocolate). It was definitely one of the best ice creams I've ever had, it was so creamy and rich in flavor.

Yesterday, the OK program took us to Melk. First we went to see Adlerwarte Kreuzenstein, a castle near by Vienna. Then they put on an Eagle Air Show, which was quite frightening with the birds flying over your head but interesting. Although the guy spoke in only german so we didn't get as much out of it as those who knew what he was saying. Then we took a bus to Melk but stopped on the other side of the Danube River to eat at a traditional Austrian restraunt. I had the fish that came with vegetables and herb potatoes, it was really good. Then everyone got apfelstruddel which was also delicious. We all had sturm as well, which is only offered here in the fall because it is like the pre-version of Wine, its fermented grape juice, very sweet but alcoholic. Its almost like a mixture of wine, juice, and champagne. After lunch we went to Melk where we toured the beautiful Melk Abbey that has been around for over 600 years. It was gorgeous and it was a beautiful day for it. Then we got drinks in the town of Melk before heading back home to Vienna.

Adlerwarte Kreuzenstein castle.

Louise and I infront of Melk Abbey.

Hannele, Brianni, Me, and Louise with the beautiful view from Melk Abbey.

Today I am meeting up with Elizabeth and Cori to go to the Albertina Museum where there is a Picasso and Monet exhibit. Tonight we're going to a bar in the city center called 1516 where they have American food and play American Football on Sundays. I'll be rooting for my NY Giants to beat the Philadelphia Eagles!