A Canadian in Schönbrunn Garden

This is one of the Viennese’s most celebrated castles and green space. It is a haven for tourists that desire to clamor about spectacular castle and marvel at the finely kept garden. The castle in quite impressive and I’d consider living there if I didn’t have to deal with the thousands of people that would visit each day. It’s not that I’m a bad host or a particularly shy person, I just get attached to people very quickly and couldn’t bear to experience the loss of a thousand potential lifelong friends over the course of a single day.

The pathways are wide enough to drive an army tank down which, though possible, is strictly prohibited.  No matter which direction you chose to walk in, you are bound to encounter a beautiful monument of statue exalting the triumphs of the republic. One such monument pictured below on the right is symbolic of the strength of the foundation the Austrian republic is built upon. It is represented by the tower built on the backs of turtles. Though I’m not sure how the Austrians chose the turtle to carry their country into the future, the country appears to be doing quite well.  There are many tall trees that surround the park as if to suggest that the palace and its garden are a part of it’s own divine ecosystem. Again, I’d love to live here but I fear I’d come up a bit short for paying the grounds keeping staff each month.

Up the hill and past the cement laden turtles is a sort of ornate gate (pictured below), of the variety you can dine in and photograph extensively. This gate overlooks the castle and it’s pristine garden. Down below you must resist the urge to run through the garden singing songs from the sound of music. Of the Austrians I’ve met, they neither know much about the movie or care to talk about it so don’t do it. Off to the right side of the garden is a labrinyth that you can run through if you enjoy the feeling of being lost and a zoo if you enjoy the sight of wild animals in captivity.

On the way back before crossing the road I noticed that a horse and carriage could possibly block my jaywalking attempt. It turns out that the leisurely pace meant that I had ample time to do my deed. Somehow I feel more safe crossing blindly in front of a horse and carriage than a one-ton piece of motorized steel. Must be one of those Good Ole Days type moments.

Afterwards I made my way to the bus to take me home and was greeted with an amusing spectacle of a visibly perturbed young man stress about waiting for the bus. His method of dealing with it consisted of pacing back and forth and talking to himself. I’ve never understood the anxiousness of the people of public transit.

All in all, a good day out!