By Ty Malcolm
Today (Sunday, 2. October) is my last day before the semester starts! Since my mid-August arrival in Vienna, I've had a month and a half to figure out how I like spending my free time in the city. Here are some of my favorites:
Cafés and Coffeehouses
Vienna is famous for its traditions with coffee, since the 17th century trading and fighting with the Ottoman Empire. The people of Vienna have always viewed these coffeehouses as their extended living rooms, which give them a place to meet friends or read the newspaper. Throughout history, they have also doubled as black markets and art studios. For the price of a cup of coffee (probably €5 or so) you can sit and relax for as long as you want. No one will rush you or wonder why you are there so long. The waiters are some of the best in the city, and always seem to know when to be available and when to make themselves scarce. It's the perfect place to meet friends, grab breakfast, or get some work done. (We are still students, after all.) The Kaffeehaus closest to my apartment is Café Westend, which is over 100 years old!
Art Exhibitions
Although most people think of Paris when they think of art or fashion in Europe, the Viennese are quite proud of their own history as a cultural center. That legacy lives on today in modern Vienna, where every weekend there are countless art shows, free concerts, and street festivals. People of all ages come out to these events, some in T-shirts and others in designer suits, but they are all ready to discuss the art with whoever is around! It really is a nice atmosphere, and there are almost always food and drinks served. Now modernized, the former cattle market at Marx Halle has a constant rotation of art, music, and food.
Naschmarkt
This historical market area near the center of Vienna is a long strip with restaurants and food stalls where you can buy almost anything. You can buy buy fresh fruit and vegetables from around the world, exotic herbs, wine, cheese, tea, and baked goods. There are also stalls for clothes and accessories. Every Saturday, the market extends even farther, to accommodate a flea market that has anywhere from 20 to 100 sellers with their wares laid out on blankets. It is much, much larger than Eastern Market in Washington DC. If you enjoy cooking, the Naschmarkt is a great place to find ingredients and utensils that might otherwise be difficult to find.
Museumsquartier
Museumsquartier is a central square in Vienna, surrounded by museums. The city has placed large blue plastic shapes around the square for people to climb/sit/lounge on while they talk to their friends. There are sand courts for Pétanque, a French game where you throw shot-put balls and try to get them close to another target ball. In the evening especially, the people of Vienna come out to enjoy a drink, eat some food, and hang out with friends. As with most public places in Vienna, you can bring whatever you want and enjoy it, picnic style. Without spending a euro on the surrounding museums, you can still enjoy an entire afternoon with friends in the Museumsquartier.
