Naschmarkt and Schatzkammer

Saturday, August 7

Today we spent the morning and most of the afternoon with our friend Reinefried and his wife Andreas.  We meant them through Diane's aunt and uncle who visited Vienna last winter.  It was really exciting to be shown around the city by a native!  The day began with them picking us up and taking us to Cafe Sperl for breakfast.  We followed Reinefried's lead and we each ordered an Einspanner.  This delicious drink consists of coffee toped with whipped cream.  It was so delicious!  I really appreciate the Viennese's love for whipped cream--it resembles my own!  After coffee to start the day, they took us out the the Nashmarkt.  The Nashmarkt is a combination farmers market and flea market.  We first tackled the flea market.  Reinefried stopped and many of the stands selling records, CDs, and DVDs of symphony music and operas, and shared with us his love of Viennese culture.  It was really great because he has such a wealth of knowledge.  


For lunch, they took us to a restaurant at the Naschmarkt that resembled a pub.  It was small and filled with smoke but had an amazing atmosphere and amazing food.  We all had goulash with the most delicious bread.  Reinfried explained that these style of restaurants were traditionally popular with the working classes.  They would come to have a delicious meal and discuss the hot topics of the day.  We also discussed topics of the day as Reinfried shared with us the dominant Viennese view on America and its politics.  They are very interested in what happens with American politics and closely follow its news.  He explained how the Viennese are very happy with the recent election of President Obama and how they feel the world is now a safer place.  He described the extreme dislike the Viennese have for President Bush and most often anything to do with the right wing of American politics.  Along this same left-leaning viewpoint, the Viennese tend to be pro-Palastinian when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  I really enjoyed this lesson in the modern Viennese viewpoint.  


After they dropped us back at home, Diane and I headed out to the Schatzkammer (Imperial Treasury.)  This was the first museum we've been to it took us a week to finally go and se one! Again the audio guide proved key to my comprehension of the collection.  It is amazing how extensive this collection is.  The Imperial Treasury represents the movable wealth of the the ruler.  It is used as a demonstration of power, and can be further used as gifts and cash.  There were a wide variety of objects from elaborately embroidered clothe used for both the religious and the secular purposes, to religious relics and Napoleon's son's baby cradle.  While I was looking at all the religious relics, the museum signaled that it was time for it to close.  This just means that I get to spend another day at the treasury tomorrow!