2.

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A spirited walk around the MuseumsQuartier today. We had to navigate our way back to the apartment on our own, which was a daunting task. (Postscript after the fact: But we made it! It's so funny, that particular route, the #49 became a home base of sorts. I think I must have rode it a hundred times during the course of the month. Thank god for the bus pass!)  I'm very excited to get my museum pass on Monday and explore the Natural History museum! This has been recommended to me by many.

The Heldenplatz.

Extremely baroque statue of Michael casting Lucifer into Hell.

Statue of Maria Theresa. 


We stood in the Heldenplatz, a wide open space nestled between Hofburg Palace and the OSCE building. A stunning juxtaposition of decorative architecture, modern, neo-gothic, and baroque. Walking through one portal, arriving in another. It was mentioned that Hitler once gave a speech in this square, to a rally of millions of impassioned Austrians. Here was yet another point where I was struck with the sheer difference between the USA and Europe - I had never before stood on the same grounds that Hitler did. A strange feeling, the grass and pathways now covered in tourists, taking selfies and carrying bags from shops on the Ringstrasse.




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