Vienna

We began our time in Vienna by paying homage to Beethoven. Along side were Shubert, Strauss and a monument to Mozart who is lost in time, his grave having been moved.

The Schönbrunn Palace, home to the Hapsburg dynasty since Maximilian II, until the palace passed to the ownership of the Republic of Austria at the end of the monarchy in 1918. It was magnificent and historic inside, but we like their grounds the best. The gardens and maze were beautiful.

The Gloriette was originally a banquet hall built for Fanz Josef I and is currently a cafe where we had a lovely lunch on the terrace. It was built in 1775, was destroyed in the second world war, and restored in 1947, and again in 1995.

It sits atop the hill at the far end of the gardens and makes for a spectacular focal point as well as destination.

The view of the palace from Gloriette.

Well, the grounds were almost our favorite. We attended a strudel making class and because Sterling correctly answered the chef's question, he was appointed assistant.

The question was," how to transfer the strudel from the cloth to the pan?" Two women had a go but got it wrong and Sterling then correctly answered that it would be best to use the cloth it was already on. Chef was impressed and a bit surprised that Sterling got it right! He credits his insight from years of playing Legos and having to clean them up!

Got to coat the pastry with butter and received a certificate. Who enjoyed it more, Sterling or parents?

Elliott enjoyed spending Easter morning at mass with the Vienna Boys' Choir! The choir was on the balcony above us and the voices were truly angelic.

Easter eggs in Austria are beautifully decorated real, empty eggshells. The are expensive and abundant, and come with spangles, hand paintings of every kind, animals, music, pottery designs, flowers, and maps, carved and with ribbons.

We spent Easter afternoon in Stadtpark, relaxing.

More beautiful gardens, music and wine in the sunshine.

Prague

Prague is a stunningly beutiful city. The Gothic Towers at town hall lit up at night and at dusk.
And the Charles Street Bridge.

A little fun in Prague! We found a summer luge which Elliott and Sterling enjoyed!

You can see the city in the background.

A little nosh at the Kafka Cafe. there were no bugs!

For our Passover lunch we dined at King Solomon's, a wonderful experience, lovely setting, good matzo balls and roast chicken. Best cucumber salad ever!

The Jewish history in Prague is rich, tragic and triumphant, and much of it has been preserved to bear witness to it all.

This is the Old – New Synagogue where, in 1389, 3000 citizens of the Jewish Quarter were killed, their homes destroyed. It was such a massacre, that the walls of the Synagogue went dark with blood. During nazi occupation, it stored and distainfully displayed Judaica. It is now one of the most cherished and visitited sightes in PragueThe ceremonial house to prepare the dead for burial.

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Josefov, the Jewish Quarter was created in the 15th century when Jews were forbidden to be buried outside the district. There was little space so the graves may be in as many as 12 layers, totalling perhpas 100,000 in all.

Prague with President Obama

"There is violence and injustice in our world that must be confronted. We must confront it not by splitting apart but by standing together as free nations, as free people. I know that a call to arms can stir the souls of men and women more than a call to lay them down. But that is why the voices for peace and progress must be raised together."

Photos by Sterling and Elliott

Paris for my birthday!

Elliott took me to Paris for my birthday! Upon arrival, we found spring had decided to come too!

We headed straight for the Eiffel tower, below, across from the Ecole Militaire, above, founded with the support of Madame de Pompadour to create an academic college for cadet officers from poor families. Can you spot E and Sterling?

Above is the classic Eiffel tower photo. Below is the one I have always wanted, unbeknownst even to me. I took it after a picnic on the lawn, lying on my back, looking up at the Tower. It was a moment I enjoyed very much!

On the top

After our descent, we took a little cruise on the Seine.

Notre Dame below and in the background above.
The Tower from the Seine

Back on land, a few artsy photos with E's terrific new camera.

A little spring garden at the base of the Tower.The next day we enjoyed the Louvre.

And the Musée d'Orsay

That night, we had my birthday dinner in an old Parisian restaurant near the Bastille Column of July, with Leoni and Françoise, friends we met near us in Divonne last summer. They had arranged everything, even the cake with flares and Joyeux Anniversaire a Vous! It was fantastic.

Very happy, we headed out for our last night in Paris.

In the morning, before heading home, we stopped by my favorite store to get my present, another copper pot. I love this place!

Au revoir, Paris! And thank you, Elliott and Sterling, for a fantastic weeked.