Suitcases and Happy Christmas!

Back from my trip! A quick Vienna summary:
Vienna was fabulous: Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere, the KLIMTS!, Hofburg Palace complex, National Library, the Imperial State Opera, who could complain?

I learned that its very difficult to travel to other places solo where you don't speak the language - I felt a little vulnerable hearing men yell things in German and not only not understanding, but also not knowing what the appropriate response was.

Night train is the best way to travel. Go to sleep, wake up in another country, and no liquid restriction!

The art inspired me, and needless to say, I had a blast with myself :)

Words don't do Mozart's opera, Don Giovanni, justice, so I'll just tell you the following: I went to the opera in Vienna. And loved every moment.

I made it home in time for Christmas with my Jewish friends! On Christmas, I arrived back in Paris, raced home to shower (trains make you need them) and picked up LOTS of pastries to bring over to my friend Kate's. Kate's twin Emma is visiting now before she continues on to spend her spring semester studying at NYU in London. We feasted on croissants, brioches, viennoiseries, this list goes on.

Later that day, Liz, the twins, and I, trekked out in the freezing cold. We though it would be fun to visit the Eiffel Tower, not knowing we'd wait on line in the below-zero cold for 2 hours. When we finally got to the top, we took a moment (literally a moment - it was freezing) to take in a breathtaking view that only was lacking the Tower itself. It was dark so the whole city was magical and lit up. Knowing the end of the semester is near, anticipating a return home, fearing drastic culture shock, wondering if the new-me will last in the United States, nostalgia, and a desperate desire and need to stay in this wonderful city quickly led to a small emotional explosion on top. No where like the top of the Eiffel Tower to bring the truth out in someone.

As Jews, no matter where you might be in the world, you have an obligation to eat Chinese food on Christmas. Unfortunately, all of the Chinese places were closed, so Japanese sufficed. The four of us met up with two of my friends from Israel at a restaurant and had a very merry Christmas!

Unfortunately, I believe I am sick so I've been keeping it cool and resting a lot. Suitcases presently adorn my living room, and I am about to finish packing. Kate and Emma and I have been galavanting around Paris, trying to see everything I haven't seen yet, and saying goodbye to all my favorite places.  Tonight we are going to Paris' international film theater and seeing Breakfast at Tiffany's...in French!

Tomorrow we'll go check out a hotel for Aunt Donna when she comes in the spring, and splurge on Angelina's hot chocolate for lunch one last time. I think we are going to show Emma the Saint Germain de Pres region. Tomorrow night, I just want to stand under the Eiffel Tower while it twinkles. We're going to have dinner at our favorite near-tower café complete with my favorite dessert - chocolate moulleux (aka chocolate fondant cake). Maybe we'll convince the very good-looking waiters there to give it to us for free...they usually do try to get our numbers! Hopefully I'll stay up all night so I'll sleep on the flight home. It makes sense I have one last Nuit Blanche, the cab is coming at 5:30am after all.

Oh, how I dread what's coming...