It’s Friday now, and the wedding party is starting to gather from around the world. On Thursday night, those who were already in town came together at our apartment for hellos, beers, and a dinner Christine and Liz created called Refrigerator Surprise. Magically, it’s enough for everyone.

On Friday morning, we decide we have time to fit in one more museum. After a quick stop for lunch with Maya and her friend Mai, we grab an Uber and head for the Belvedere. We drop the young ladies in prime shopping territory, and head off for art-viewing.

Prince Eugene puts one over on       everybody

The Belvedere is two palaces, the Upper and Lower, built in the 18th century as the summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, who is apparently known for being too short and ugly to amount to anything, which didn’t stop him from becoming immensely rich and powerful. (Remember, these two palaces are just his summer cabin). From the Belvedere, there is a spectacular view of the city of Vienna.

We focus our efforts on the Upper Belvedere, which houses Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Our real focus is the Gustav Klimt collection, including The Kiss, but we also enjoy French Impressionists, Viennese Biedermeier paintings, and the rooms of the castle itself. There is also a weird, lumpy rug made out of poly foam and spices and a video of a cougar sitting in a fireplace. We all love the Messerschmidt face sculptures, which explore the full range of extreme emotion from rage to hilarity. Rick Steves says Messerschmidt pinched himself to see the expressions he molded. The museum says he watched people who were being treated for mental illness as they sat in a magnetized tub holding a rope. You’ll have to decide.

 

Fun at The Bettelstudent (Begging Student)

Earlier in the day, Christine and Mike had reserved a room at a local eatery, but by the time we get there, we decide we’d rather sit outside. The wedding party enjoys beer, wine, great food, and a superior waiter, who definitely earns his pay. Liz reads a few palms while Grayden and his best man challenge each other to unwinnable bets, like “get someone to disco dance with you without asking” and “get someone over the age of 50, man or woman, to kiss you on the cheek.”

 

Side note

In Vienna, Vienna is not called Vienna. It’s called Wien. So, when referring to things “of Vienna,” or “of “Wien,” the usage becomes “Weiner.” As a result, there are “weiners” everywhere. Some people think this is very funny.

 

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