Friday, November 2, 2018

PPF in Europe 2018 - Part Six: Two Cities in One Day

15 October 2018
10:34 p.m.
Vienna AirBnB


Dusk in Vienna

I was gazing out at the Opera House from the balcony of the Albertina when Branden asked if I was sad that we're leaving Vienna tomorrow. I didn't realize that I was giving off the impression that I was unhappy, but maybe I am. Perhaps it's not really unhappiness but more nostalgia; that bittersweet feeling of longing, regret and satisfaction all mixed together.

I explained that where I was standing was the exact same spot where Jesse and Celine also stood on one of their stops in their night-long walk around the city in Before Sunrise. Maybe I was just imagining myself in the movie. It's tough not to get carried away by your emotions when you're in a city as gorgeous as Vienna. To see it in a movie--in one of the great film romances of our time--and then experience it in real life just makes it all the more special.

Love took this photo of us from the balcony of Schonbrunn Palace


Even the streets and alleyways look graceful and charming


The inside of St. Stephen's Cathedral


Salzburg was intimate, charming and familiar. Vienna, meanwhile, is intimidating, beautiful and grand. It's tough to choose IF I had to choose, but while Salzburg has its strengths, Vienna will always have my heart because of Before Sunrise.

We also made a quick daytrip to Bratislava today, which was exactly what I did all those years ago. Most of the group liked the city, even though I downplayed it to manage their expectations.


Bratislava for the day. This was a performance arts place, if I'm not mistaken


This is Cumil the Sewer Worker, one of the most photographed attractions of Bratislava


Autumn in Bratislava ain't so bad

Tomorrow we go on to Prague, which is probably my favorite European city. I told everyone that but I'm still hoping I didn't hype it up too much.


Our farewell to Vienna


Next: Back to an Old Favorite


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