Slow Down, You Crazy Child

Remember that time we took the struggle train to Poland and every possible thing that went awry actually went horribly wrong? This weekend, the universe repented in a real and major way. These three amigos forgive it wholeheartedly.

Maybe it was the sunshine that welcomed us warmly at 5am when we hopped off the night bus. Or maybe it was the many, many decadent Eiskaffes and Viennese coffees that we sipped while basking in that sunshine. Maybe it was because people smiled at us on the streets and trams. Oh Vienna. It was all of these things and so many, many more.

Of course you can tell from my copious pictures and posts on various social media platforms that I am in love with Prague in spite of the perpetual precipitation and chilly weather/people. But sometimes folks need a small hiatus from the things they love.

We hopped on the night bus Friday after work and arrived in Vienna early Saturday morning. Outside the bus stop, we saw a weird light on a building yonder. We shook the sleep off a little bit and realized this city has something we haven’t seen in a long, long time. THE SUN. Kirstie, Andi and I realized simultaneously that the sun was rising. We looked at one another and practically took off running in that direction, and quickly arrived at the bank of the Danube. Depravation or delirium? I’m not sure. But if you’d been up at dawn on the banks of that great river, you’d have seen three friends dancing and laughing like the lifeblood had just been poured back into their bodies.

Even at that early hour, one thing we noticed quite quickly is that people acknowledge one another in Vienna. At first we wondered why people were smiling at us and looking us in the eyes. We felt a little uncomfortable until we realized that the Czechs have conditioned us to their blank stares and chilly exteriors, but that it’s actually quite nice to meet friendly faces. Humanity is good.

We spent the weekend meandering the streets of the most beautiful city in Europe (perhaps a matter of opinion), soaking up the best things in life at outdoor cafes, wandering through palaces and rose gardens and river bend concerts.

I love that cities have personalities and that you can glean some meaning from the feeling they exude. Vienna was just so warm. My faith in humanity was so fully restored by the people who offered us directions and history and suggestions and pastries and coffee for nothing in return. It was a good reminder to be that person, that offerer, in Prague or wherever possible.

Kirstie and Andi left Sunday night, but since I had a meeting on Monday I got to stick around a little longer. I went to mass and a concert and got to bask in the glorious twilight for just a little longer. What a city. I was pretty reluctant to board that bus home on Monday, even after I changed my trip to a later time.

Climbing out of the bus in Prague, I was surprised to hear someone laugh, “can I offer you an umbrella?” My friend Vaclav just happened to be coming out of the metro at the same time—he walked me to my stop and chatted for a few minutes. It was a gentle reminder that the Czechs are wonderful, too. You just have to get to know them first. This week, the sun is shining and Prague is a magical fairy tale city. Life is good. People are good. The world is a good place.