Vienna Boys Choir & Christmas Market

We got up at 5:30 am to go to a Church Service today.

OK - Now that you're over that shock....

At the end of Mass, they perform @ floor level.

We went to Vienna to meet the Boy Scout Troop and the Girl Scout Troop for the morning Mass at the Hofburg Palace Chapel.  This is the home chapel to the Vienna Boys Choir.  For 5 euros each, we all got to sit in the tourist areas on either side of the chapel.  The seats are up high and the rooms are connected to the open windows of the chapel.  If you were lucky enough to get a window seat, you could look down and see the whole service, but the majority of the seating for tourists are not at the windows (we were 1 row back).  So, they broadcast the whole service on TVs in each viewing area - there is no sound on the TVs because you can hear everything live.  Our seats were on the same level as the Boys Choir, so we could see them through our window.  This week, it was an even more special service because joining the Boys Choir, were members from the National Phil Harmonic and the National Opera.

So, how did it go?  It was actually ok.  Hayden napped (so I had to cover up some snoring) and Owen and Brian kept the fidgeting to a minimum.  It was extra hard because it wasn't in English (it was German and Latin) and you really couldn't see much.  But it was nice to get to see the chapel and also hear the choir.  There was some "shush-ing" going on in our box area, but it was among the ADULT tourists - my kids were good!

After our chapel experience, we made our way with Jeannine and her 3 girls to one of the many Vienna Christmas Markets.  It was extremely cold and windy!  But, the sun did come out a little.

Brian and Owen got some roasted Chestnuts.  I tried them, but I have decided that I like the song better than the actual food.

For lunch, we had a variety of Market Food.  Hayden and I shared a fried thing that was like Ham & Cheese.  Owen and Brian had Curry-Wurst.  After walking around some more, we had a large flaky pastry that was pudding filled, chocolate drizzled, and in the shape of a giant pretzel.  Then we let the kids all each get a piece of candy - Hayden chose chocolate covered strawberries which he nicely shared with Mommy & Daddy.

Since we all had numb toes and fingers, we decided to head home.  But, we'll definitely go back to see all of the lights in Vienna.  Even if it is too cold and we just drive around to see them!  All of the parks are full of lights and even buildings and Hotels all have large lighted decorations.  Maybe we'll have dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant there and then see the lights on Friday since we'll need to pick up Brian at the airport.

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