Some people call Vienna the magical city. If it weren't for the cars, there are views of this ancient city that makes you think you've stepped back in time. The city (with over 2,000,000 inhabitants) lies on the eastern edge of the Vienna Woods and northeastern edge of the Alps, and sits on the Danube River. It was home to many celebrated classical composers including Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, and of course, Mozart.
Vienna used to be surrounded by an ancient wall until the middle of the 19th century when it was knocked down and replaced with a circular boulevard--approximately three miles long--called the Ringstrasse. This is the cultural and historical center of Vienna and includes the Vienna State Opera House, the Imperial Palace (also known as the Hapsburg Palace):
the Kunsthistorisches Museum (containing the art treasures of the Hapsburgs), The Museum of Natural History (which houses the largest natural science collection in the world), Parliament constructed in the Greek style, and the National Theatre with ceilings painted by Gustav Klimt.
The views are breathtaking. The statues, the gold, the decorative motives on the buildings:
We are in awe. Theo is happy to be outside. After a quick tour by bus we slow down and walk on foot. This is Theo's favorite part. He can sniff his way around and as we ooh and ahh, he trots along--enjoying this romp through time or oblivious to it.
Sure, he gazes up (reluctantly) when I point out some of the more unusual or exotic sights: a lion statue wearing a cross and holding a shield
But, frankly, he's more interested in what's on the ground than what's on the buildings. He's being super cooperative because he knows that we plan to leave Vienna proper for the zoo. And Theo loves seeing other animals or what he thinks are animals.
This is when it happens. Suddenly, Theo takes off for a quick run down the sidewalk. Where is he going?
We hear music. The sound of an accordion playing. And Theo is headed straight towards a sneaker wearing musician playing on the streets of Vienna. But he's not just any musician, he's wearing a horse's head, the Viennese Horseman.
Emphasis on man. Wearing a horse's head. Minding his own business.
Does Theo think he's a horse that plays the violin? Is that why he's so interested and racing towards him? We have two pianos at home but no accordion. Has Theo ever even seen an accordion? Or a man wearing a horse's head?
We expect him to get close but no closer. Or will he jump on the horse's lap and take a good sniff?
We're wrong on both counts. Theo, who has never shown any interest in Mozart's music, suddenly transforms himself into a cat child prodigy who appreciates accordion music. He sits and listens. Respectfully.
We come up slowly behind Theo. And then drop a few bucks in the horseman's bucket. It's a tough and slightly eccentric way to make a living.
