Around EID, Tiffani and I, along with Oriwa who was briefly visiting from Riyadh threw out the idea of a girls trip on the beach one afternoon. This is not an uncommon conversation topic, the 'idea' is always lingering in the air. But a few weeks later, seemingly overnight, Tiff and I started working feverishly to make it a reality. We would go to Vienna, to the Christmas markets. Quick! Book your tickets before anyone (or anyone's husband) changes their mind! It was to be the dream girls trip!
The odds were against us from the start. Coordinating 6 husbands + 6 girls schedules, our Airbnb apt getting snatched up right before our eyes and our flight, getting canceled TWICE (holy anxiety) we forged on. We remained vigilant to our cause. We had come thus far, we weren't giving up now! Despite a scramble to re-book flights just 24 hours before we were scheduled to go, we boarded and were happily on our way to Austria, winter and Christmas!
We started at Schonbrunn Palace, a short 10 minute walk from our rented penthouse apartment (on whose stairs we burned every danish and weiner we ate). And as it says in 'The Sound of Music', it was a very good place to start. We reveled in the art and architecture of Austrian yesteryear and then warmed up over warm potatoes and Kinderpunch before we bought tickets to come back the next night for a Christmas concert and ballet in the concert hall.
We had ourselves a good ole 13 year old boy maturity level giggle over the mis-interpretation of translations. All week really.
Our desert hearts were cold, cold, cold, but our Christmas hearts were warm, warm, warm.
The markets at night with the twinkling lights were nothing short of magical. I can't remember the last time I was so giddy. Approaching the lights and the beautiful City Hall, we were remienscent of kids gaining access to Santa's workshop. The first night at Wiener Christkindlmarkt, we drooled over the toy booths, warmed ourselves over bratwurst and Kinderpunch (we were FREEZING) and bought the most beautiful glass bobbles. We were SO happy.
The next morning we walked to a nearby cafe for hot cocoa and strudels. This was the most hilarious moment...Anna hell bent with her German phrase book and the rest of us weighing like we were helpful. By some small miracle we ended up with scrambled eggs and danish's.
Next stop was the Belvedere Market. Highlights were the fried potatoes, our new Hungarian friend, who let us blow his horn and from whom we bought sheep horn cufflinks for the husbands.
On our walk home we stumbled unexpectadly upon the most charming Market on Karlsplatz. It was here where a great deal of our laughs and inside jokes from the trip originated. i.e. spiked hot chocolate, Anna's mitten, Anna's horse, Katelyn on the ground.
The placement of these markets in front of Vienna's historical and architectural masterpieces made it feel like you'd walked right into a story book. The happiest, liveliest, friendliest story book.
Schonbrunn at night. It was even better than during the day. Schonbrunn would go down as our favorite market of the trip. It was the least commercial, locally made and sourced handicrafts and the loveliest, friendliest little shopkeepers.
This one sang Sound of Music tunes for us while ignoring his other customers.
The ballet concert in the great hall didn't disappoint either. The lady in front of us throwing a hissy fit because Arthur made a tiny peep, did however.
The Mecca of the Christmas Markets...the nutcracker booth.
Daisie may never forgive me for this photo, but I had to include because it makes me laugh out loud and because it, combined with me on the ground, is perhaps the most accurate photographic representation of our trip.
Look at this little Arthur man. He was a little dream boat and bless him, heard and saw things no son should ever have to hear or see his mother and her friends do. But things of which we will probably happily remind him at his mission farewell.
The next morning we trained over into Slovakia. While racing through the Austrian countryside we ate croissants and talked and laughed and discussed what it is to be a mother, a wife, an expat. Expatriation is a rewarding challenge largely in part because of these friendships. We would leave a a piece of our Christmas hearts forever in Slovakia that morning, after solidifying our spots in one another's.
We wandered the city square, bought embroidered Slovakian art, nativities, and warm Slovak bread for our bellies.
After missing our bus...(lost in translation), Daisie and I ran back to grab a bell with a magical sound. Like a legitimate Polar Express magical sound. But while seeking a magical sound, we stumbled upon something even more magical. This most darling group of Slovaks in their native dress, singing, dancing and playing the accordion in this little inner courtyard. It's these little unplanned moments while traveling that keep me going back. The little surprises around the corner you're not anticipating. The peek into the local culture. The track off the beaten road.
Our last night was spent at St Stephan's Market before heading into the Cathedral. That night inside St Stephans would bring us all to tears. We had all cried a few times over our too short, long weekend. But mostly because we were on the ground laughing so hard we couldn't get up. But these tears were for a different reason entirely. HE is the reason for this blessed season. It is his light that makes the street lights sparkle, that makes our hearts fill with an increased goodwill. Once again, I found myself blessed beyond measure. Friendships that have and will endure the hardest of times, relationships that bring laughs during times of tears, and a Savior who turns the times of tears into blessings. Into moments of strength.
We enjoyed one last Wiener in Wien and Daisie brought one last boy to our yard. We may be middle aged women, with 14 children between us, but we've still got it. Never mind that they're also middle aged Hungarians who wanted to practice their English.
The last morning we cried into cups of delicious cups of cocoa and apple strudel. We kept our tears on the inside, but we were legitimately devastated our trip was over.
To say it was a good time, would be a gross understatement. We had the BEST time. Shopping, eating and laughing until our sides ached. Seeing the markets was a life long wish for many of us, doing so with our 6-some, made it all the better.
Christmas Markets round two are scheduled for December 2016!
