Vacation Photos from Austria

Back from vacation in Austria!  Here are a few of the photos and a little summary of my travels :)

Here we have the view from the road I attempted to walk every morning... (attempted = twice :p)

This is from the road winding back behind my grandparents farm that has been turned into a beautiful Guest House.
(That's the house my dad grew up in and in the background , smack in the middle of the pic is my cousin Karl's house)

Here is the view of green Vienna from my cousin Ernest's flat :)  I LOVED it!  We ate like I won't describe and then hit the subways to please my need to see Schonbrunn Palace where Marie Antoinette grew up. 

Me riding the subway in Vienna :)

Here we are on top of the subway system.  I loved how the subway was rushing away as we walked to the Palace

I'm here.  Finally.  Schonbrunn.  Marie Antoinette walked these paths and halls that my feet are now touching.
Beautiful.

I am standing where Marie Antoinette gazed upon the stars and Mozart played.
It was amazing.

Here is my dad.  I imagine in his mind he is gazing upon his kingdom.
Austria.

Goodbye Schonbrunn.  Little did I know I would be back to see you in just a few days with my fun filled guide Virginia.
She fears no man and no bus.  :)

We thought these were statues as we exited.  We debated quite a bit whether or not they were real.
It was upon noticing the wrinkles in his tights that we realized they were real and had painted their bodies silver.
Did we tip them?  Heck yeah!  They were amazing!

Next we hit Nashmarkt.  Vienna's biggest flea market.  I loved it.
So did my dad.  He had to stop at every sausage and cheese purveyor stand they offered.

Just because I thought it was cool.

On one of my two morning walks, I came across this sign.  I LOVED it!  I must find one for our Princess!
(No idea what it says)

Church down the road from my uncle's house.  I loved walking his town while my dad napped.

On occasion, I also was inclined to take a nap.  Here you see my sunny spot under the apple tree in my uncle's backyard.

It soon was upgraded to a cot, egg crate mattress and sheets courtesy my wonderful aunt who couldn't stand the thought of me sleeping on the grass.  (disregard the beer cans.  I couldn't drink the strong mineral water and it was the only other thing I knew how to request in German.... what's a girl to do??)

This is a small.  Really.

My very good friends Agnes (left of me) and Edith (right of me) and my uncle took me mushroom hunting!  I LOVE mushroom hunting.  Especially with friends that know what will and won't keel you over.
Please note that my uncle, the expert, has an empty bucket.

This was our haul.  They were DELICIOUS!!  My cousin Romana made the most wonderful dish from these.
Who could complain being in Austria, picking her own mushrooms and having them cooked up for her at the end of the day??
It was divine.

Then my cousin Virginia and Romana took me to the country! LOL>  and guess what??  As many times as they told me the word in German.. I still can't remember!!  But is was so much fun!

Me and a little calf.  He was such a sweetheart.  We even got to feed them. :)

My cousin Virginia, Romana and my new friend and our host, Theresa.
It was so much fun on her farm.
Austria is fabulous.  I made so many new friends and I will keep my adventures close in my heart and can't wait to go again.