Learning to Rollerblade: Emily

Rollerblading

A LONG TIME AGO we watched a movie called Whip It. I highly recommend this movie if you just finished watching another series, or if you are just in need of a good movie. The movie was about a girl who lives in the heart of Texas in the early 2000's. Her mother was the classic 'Beauty Pageant' kind of lady, but her daughter wanted something more than fancy dresses and a good reputation. I don't want to spoil the movie, so if I were you, I would start watching right now. I got my inspiration to rollerblade from the movie Whip It, and 2 weeks later we ordered the rollerblades from Amazon. 

The rollerblades came in about a month later, and when my dad brought them home, I was jumping out of my seat in excitement. I finished my homework, which luckily and surprisingly, there wasn't that much of. Then, I invited my closest friend Camilla to be my ambulance in-case I had a serious fall. I put all of my gear on, and somehow made it down the elevator without falling. When we opened the door to the second hallway, which led outside, I fell. Very hard. Even though I was hurt, Camilla and I started laughing like crazy. Once I managed to get up, we went outside, where a brand new hobby began. 

Ever since the first day, I've been obsessed with rollerblading. A week or so ago, my family and I went for a 'stroll' to Turkenschanzpark. This ride was a little tough. First off, there were so many small, pocky objects in the ground that could throw me off track in an instant. Secondly, going downhill was a real obstacle for me, so my dad had to hold me. I had some really good practice, and got better at controlling myself on the rocky roads. I was able to go super fast when the roads were smooth and flat. I did five laps around the small part of Turkenschanzpark - while Owen and dad played basketball - (don't worry mom was with me taking pictures, and I got to show dad my improvement when they were done). Then, we ate ice cream at the small stand in the park which we had been waiting to open for six months. The ice cream was so good and really hit the spot after a long day of rollerblading.

Restaurant: Cucina Cipriano

For part of my many birthday festivities, Dave and I went out to lunch during the week.  I found a  place in the seventh district recently-opened by a young couple from Italy who wanted a restaurant focused on seafood dishes.  He had worked as a fisherman in southern Italy and she is from the Tuscany region.

When we first arrived, Caraola appeared startled and surprised to see a customer.  She handed us German language menu and said she does not speak English.  Fearing we made a mistake,  I whispered to Dave our options as I googled other restaurants in the area.  A few minutes later Andres presented us with a huge platter of raw fish and explained our options for the day.  I was sold.

We spent the next hour enjoying Italian "tortilla chips," grilled octopus, Sardinian pasta, and of course, an amazing caramel dessert.

Burgtheater Tour

The CLO organized a 6 euro a tour of Vienna's Burgtheater last Wednesday morning - a great opportunity to learn about one of the Habsburg's oldest theaters.  Prior to the 9:30 start, Cynthia invited me to see her apartment located in a beautiful old building in the first district and to enjoy fresh scones, croissants, coffee and fruit. 

We started the tour at the Prince's entrance and learned this building was the first in Austria to be lit by electricity. (Unfortunately, a huge fire which previously lit the stage decades earlier killed all the theater goers.)

The tour guide explained that during the first two centuries of this theater's life the actors would not bow for the audience. Because the seating area remained lit during performances, the actors could see the audience talk to their fellow theater-goers and therefore felt quite disrespected.  In response, they refused to thank the audience. Austrians like their traditions, so it was no until the 1990s that these professionals started taking their final bows.

She told us how the ceiling murals were some of Klimt's first paintings.  He even painted himself into Romeo and Juliet.  Romeo and Juliet ended happily in Austria as the Habsburgs did not like sad endings.

Although smoking is no longer allowed, this building is under UNESCO and cannot be altered.  The smoking trays still adorn the walls.

Fashion Tour

Since arriving in Vienna, I have followed a fashion blog Vienna Wedekind.  I love Carola's focus on simplicity and style.  I pushed myself out the door last fall to attend one of her events at Edited, a German store in the city and loved talking with her.  So I was very excited about the fashion tour she hosted this April.

The tour focused on stores in the 7th district, Neubau.  I immediately noticed the vibe of this neighborhood differed from the others I have visited.  Much more edgy, less formal, less stuffy.

We met Carola at Wolfgang Coffee, a shop co located with a store.  This concept allows shoppers to relax and have more of an experience instead of just errand running.  There are quite a few stores in this part of the city following this concept.

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This store focused on environmentally friendly products.

We stopped by a bakery.

Then a home goods store owned by a graphic designer.

Grabbed some juice for energy... as she showed us several clothing stores where we could get good quality basics.

And ended at another home goods place owned by graphic artists who design their own wrapping paper and sell Vienna based products.