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Tuesday 20th was our last full day in Vienna, so we were determined to spend it as fully as we could.That meant up early, full breakfast :o) and into the city.
We wanted to get a few presents before we left, maybe even a few things for ourselves!That wish began as we passed a children's shop and we saw these lovely T-shirts that said, "When Mum and Dad say no, I just ask Grandma and Grandpa." We smiled at this - and even more so when we saw exactly the same T-shirt written in Russian!In we went, and out we came with both of them for Bella.We also smiled at a notice that advertised a maternity website called anita.com as we thought that our good friend would heartily approve.
A little along the Garden Ring (really! - except in German it's called Kartner Straβe) and we came to the Steffl, Vienna's main in-city shopping centre.We went in for a browse around and amongst other things, found a large selection of Barbour clothing!It felt very strange seeing it there, thousands of miles away from South Shields. There were no jackets like mine, though.I found a Moleskine day-by-day diary for next year: helpful as I keep getting more and more information to deal with.
We continued walking along the Kartner Straβe and then went into a shop selling traditional Austrian jackets.Nataly was keen to come away with one.She tried a variety on before coming away with one she liked.What amused both of us were the very middle-to-upper class English ladies, probably in their 60s or 70s, who were trying jackets on and giving a running commentary about what they were thinking or doing.Everything was 'lovely'.It made me think of Grandma Barnes, who could speak in a similar way.
One of the joys of working in an international school is that you see your children and families everywhere: more often than not, in an airport.However, I had another 'first' in Vienna.We went into a gentlemen's clothes shop and as we were walking towards the door I suddenly heard, "Hello, Mr. Barnes!"It was Ksenia, one of our Year 6s.She was on holiday with her dad.There were two other children from school who were also on holiday in Vienna at the same time, but we didn't see them.
We continued walking and I finally found a tie!I had wanted a good tie to bring back from Vienna and I found it.Those of you who have worked with me or who have known me for a while will be very aware of my love of 'interesting' ties.Shortly afterwards we booked tickets for another concert: our last one of the holiday.This time, at the famous 'Kursalon', a hall where both Strauss and Mozart had performed.After purchasing a few more items and having lunch at the Chattanooga restaurant, we returned to our hotel to leave our day's purchases and then walked back through Vienna to the concert hall.
As we were a little bit early we were able to find a small coffee shop across the road from the Kursalon to have coffee and a dessert before the performance.What is referred to as 'Viennese coffee' in the rest of the world is termed 'melange' here.I can't say that I particularly took to it - partly because I'm a tea drinker, partly because it's just too bitter - but I did try it (BMA, if you're reading this, yes, I did have a coffee!)
As our finale in terms of concerts, it didn't disappoint.The method of performance was that espoused by Strauss, i.e. no conductor, but a 'leader' within the orchestra.The orchestra as a whole should listen to each other.The leader of the orchestra introduced each piece in German and English: once again, there were some pieces that we had heard from earlier in the week but we didn't mind that.They are so familiar anyway that their enjoyment surpasses their familiarity.For example, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik; the Marriage of Figaro; the Magic Flute- etc.The concert consisted of music by Mozart, Strauss and - in commemoration of 200 years since his death - Joseph Haydn.
There was a mixture of arias, ballet and pure music, similar to the second concert that we saw.It was great to see musicians enjoying themselves.The drummer in particular was a character - he donned an Egyptian headdress for the Egyptian Waltz, and likewise put on a train driver's hat and blew a whistle for another piece.
At the interval, I bought some CDs and another tie - spotted a good one.After the concert had finished we went outside and took photographs of the statue of Johann Strauss, the "Waltz King." The orchestra had played 'The Blue Danube' as one of their closing pieces.It is (unsurprisingly) one of the national songs of Austria.
None of the concerts finished particularly late - Austrians don't seem to like late nights - so we walked back to our hotel and finished our packing ready for the morning, and our return to 'the city that never sleeps'.I think that Moscow stole this moniker from New York a long time ago.
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