Auf wiedersehen, Vienna

At first we were intimidated by this grand old city, the home of such fearsome monoliths as the Habsburg Empire, Sigmund Freud, and wienerschnitzel. But we grew to love the place, enjoying its imposing beauty, its rich culture, and its warm and welcoming people.

We were strangers in this vast place, so we lost our way more than once. But we were always given helpful directions by the solicitous locals, who, contrary to their reputation for being cold,

stiff,

and pompous,

were instead warm and welcoming and eager to give directions.

And so, thus guided, we visited such treasures as the Leopold Museum with its Schieles and Klimts and glimpses of a giant building shaped like a loaf of grey bread.

and the Belvedere with its Last Year at Marienbad landscaping

and cutting edge art.

And no visit to Vienna is complete without seeing the Lippizaners, who were between shows when we dropped by but were happy to let us visit them backstage in their dressing rooms.

And you can't leave town without taking a table at the world famous Sacher coffee shop, and a sampling the legendary Sacher Torte

which, as YH remarked, noting the inflated prices, the Cheers-like ambiance of the café, and the less than fabulous pastry itself, might be re-named "Sucker" torte.

But who's complaining.

So it's auf wiedersehen, Vienna! We'll see you in our dreams!