I met up with Oma and Opa for a trip to something they thought might interest me – honestly, I think they just wanted to get me out of the house. Keeping in mind their warning about a bit of walking in the sun (knowing my affinity for heels and the shade), I chose something nice and light and low and jumped onto the U6 to meet them at Westbahnhof Station where we transferred to the U2 to exit in the First District.
Ready to head out with Oma & Opa to the Herbstfest (Fall Festival)
The First District is absolutely beautiful, filled with ancient buildings; tiny cobblestone streets; tiny, shiny and expensive shops; and tiny, shiny, and expensive-looking people. Strolling along I saw many things I reminded myself I’d have to come back to buy (does that really ever work?). Then the street opened up and we came upon the Imperial Apartments.
The Imperial Apartments and Silver Collection of Emperess Cici
It must have been nice to be the king, everywhere there are sculptures and gold gilding and this is just the outside!
A view of the ceiling of the carriage way to the apartments; now a museum housing their silver collection.
Inside the courtyard of the royal apartments which houses a huge park, fountains, and walkways as well as stables which are currently used to house Spanish dressage horses.
Amazing to think of the life before that existed in Vienna, view of a excavation of a Roman city under the royal apartments in the 1st district.
After strolling through and admiring the architecture and history of the apartments/museum, we wandered into the courtyard’s park and toward the stalls of the festival. Everything was produced by the farmers/woodsmen of Austria and each was more exciting than the next – artisanal cheeses, breads, meats, traditional meals, and craftwork. Maybe it was because I was with Oma and Opa who seem to know everyone or because they wanted to show off their Austrian food to a new palate or because they just thought I need fattening-up but at each stall I was asked to try and give my opinion of their wares. I must admit that I was too busy sampling to remember to take pictures. But one stall stood out which I did manage to get a quick snap.
Like all fall festivals, there's lots of food and drinks but its never really a party unless there's a roasted pig.
This stall really stood out; here they produce and sell products made of Hanf (Hemp) - everything from cakes and teas to lotions and facial products to cloth.
For dinner that night, we had an informal living room picnic, all bought at HerbstFest.
After the festival we decided to sample our goodies; bread, cheeses, wild boar, schinken (ham), and tomatoes from our garden.
Strum, a early wine that is still fermenting (it can not be sealed or it will explode, note the bubbles), is produced and drank in late summer/early fall and is available everywhere. This is the white version and it is absolutely delicious!
A Bahamian In Austria 
Bittersweet reading about your escapades with your Oma & Opa. My father as you may or may not know was German. Not only do I miss both my parents, but also the breads, sausages & cheeses from Europe. The closest I get to purchasing same, is a polish store I usually visit when I go to New York.
No, I wasn’t aware of your German heritage and I can only imagine how much you miss your parents. As his grandparents are getting up there, we try to spend as much time with them as possible before they’re gone. All of mine have passed so I truly understand how important time with loved ones is.
There’s a little Hungarian place on Lexington avenue between 88th and 83rd streets (can’t remember exactly) in Manhattan that makes really good strudels – my favorite was the cherry and cheese. If you’re in the mood for authentic Bavarian cuisine, I would seriously suggest Edi and the Wolf on Avenue C and 7th Ave – its got that hueriger feel and the food is awesome!