Ich bin allein

So today, I have officially received news. I'm going to Europe alone.

Alone.

Alone.

Alone.

Solo.

Alone.

I don't have a problem with that, just a bit of an insecurity... That is also a problem, no?

Well, my best friend from New Jersey told me this sad news today. I'm definitely not disclosing more about that, just that I hope all goes well for her. So her guy friend isn't going, she isn't going, I will be going . . . alone. I have to pluck up a lot of courage for this, don't I?

I told my mom approximately an hour after. What did she say? "See? (I don't know what that was for, honestly) That's why papa worries about letting you go." My dad always jokes about me not going to Europe at all. I used to dislike that and he's stopped it . . . pretty much.

I've since done a lot of research on visiting Europe alone. I'm nervous, yes. Afraid, yes. Excited, YES! I'm not stopping. This is only going to make me work harder, become braver, and get more adventurous.

Now I'm alone, I've suddenly decided on going to visit Eastern Europe more since the last time, I had to consider two others (and decided to visit more common countries). Added to my list are more places in the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary. Also, I'll want to visit Poland, Bulgaria, and Croatia! I'd also extend my stays in France to delve deeper into it than just Paris and Bordeaux. I'm already exploring Germany for at least two weeks in early December so... I'm so excited!

Another place I'd most likely be adding is Ireland. I am very keen on visiting Dublin, Cork, and Kilkenny. If I have time, I could see Killarney and Galway. Ireland, as I've researched, is beyond my wildest dreams. The countryside is just... The culture is just... The... I'm speechless as it is.

I've added Eastern Europe and Ireland. I want to spend less in the UK, of course, because it's really expensive. So is Scandinavia which I'm skipping out on entirely, unfortunately. Possibly from London, I'll fly to Czech Republic.

I'll make more plans!

Kaiserball

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some wine and Wiener Schnitzel,
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me dance, dance, dance with the people,
If we don't go, it's a shame.
For it's only €60 for entry,
At the old ball game.

What ball?! The Kaiserball! I don't know what about it is so cool but the thought of attending a ball just sends (good) shivers down my spine. I accidentally chanced upon it while searching some Viennese travel site, I think, and since, I cannot stop imagining me at a ball. Isn't it lovely?

 

This is the Kaiserball, also known as the Imperial Ball that occurs annually on 31st December in the Viennese Hofburg Palace. This is the former Winter Residence of the Austrian Emperors. When you attend this ball, you are received in the house of the imperial couple. Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Josef will grace you with their presence among thousands of flowers and plants that create a charming setting reminiscent to the nostalgically scenic balls of old. Expect old tradition and warm hospitality mixed with a modern twist.

In the Grand Festival Hall, there will be renowned European orchestras and bands to put the rhythm in you as you grace the floor, one of the many including the exquisite Kaisergarten or Emperor's Garden. After all the food and dancing, at the stroke of midnight, St. Stephen's Cathedral will ring in the new year through the chiming of its bell called the Pummerin. Pun intended.

Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Josef will then wish you a "Happy and Prosperous New Year" and the Deutschmeister Band will march through the halls playing the Danube Waltz. Another fascinating part of the itinerary is the Viennese Operetta Gala which ensembles prominent performers fro the Staatsoper and the Volksoper.

This year, the Kaiserball's motto is "That's Entertainment" and what's entertainment when you're at the Kaiserball in the presence of Austrian royalty and hundreds of other beautiful dancers? It's the ball itself.

Ball ticket with gala dinner

The price includes a four-course gala dinner, welcome cocktail, white and red wine, mineral water, champagne at midnight, ball ticket and table reservation. Admission 7.30 p.m.

WAITING LIST - Ball ticket with gala dinner (Grosser Festsaal) - €570,00
Live orchestra music, dancing, k. k. New Year Gala.

Ball ticket with gala dinner (Kaisergarten, Zeremoniensaal) - €510,00
Live orchestra music, dancing, short performance before midnight.

Ball ticket with gala dinner (Geheime Ratstube, Marmorsaal) - €430,00
Reserved seating in one of the smaller historic salons.

Ball ticket with table reservation
The price includes admission to the ball, table reservation, a welcome glass of sparkling wine and a light snack at the buffet. Admission 9.45 p.m.

Ball ticket with table reservation (Grosser Festsaal) - €320,00

Live orchestra music, dancing, k. k. New Year Gala.
 Ball ticket with table reservation (Seitengalerie, Vorsaal, Wintergarten) - €230,00

Seat in a centrally located hall.
Ball ticket with table reservation (Künstlerzimmer, Radetzky Apt., Rittersaal) - €190,00

Ball ticket without table reservation

The price includes entry to all ballrooms and a welcome glass of sparkling wine. Seating reservation is not included. Seat in a smaller side hall. Admission 9.45 p.m.
Ball ticket (without table reservation) - €140,00

Student ticket

Reduced price ticket without table reservation, including a welcome glass of sparkling wine.  Seat in a smaller side hall. Admission 10.00 p.m.
Student ticket (without table reservation) - €60,00

 

When I said €60, I hope you believed me. ;) If you're worried about dancing, don't worry. The Elmayer Dancing School will be offering a waltz lesson on 31 December 2010 at 2.00 p.m. in the Hofburg, hours prior to the ball itself so get your dancing shoes ready!

Now, who will take me to the ball?

Motion Sickness!

Greetings, humanoids! I hope your holidays have been a blast. It's finally 2010. It's they year. THE year! I cannot wait. I remember I used to tell myself, "I will go to Europe when I'm nineteen!" I was seventeen, maybe. I waited. I turned eighteen. I waited. Now, I'm finally nineteen! I was so on 2nd January. Pretty cool, no?

Just before the new year, I went to Macau and Hong Kong and even visited Disneyland there! Go here to see the pictures. :)

I've been thinking... I want so badly to be able to tweet around Europe. This obviously makes it easier than reading a whole lump of words and some pictures, right? Then lately, it occurred to me it would be almost impossible. At least, it will be tough. I suffer from an unfortunate problem called motion sickness. I get dizzy really easily after a few minutes of concentrating on words or photographs for too long. Even when I text or tweet, I will get nauseous. So far, I'm fine with movies. I'm also fine on the airplane because apparently on planes it is pretty still, so not much of shaking about.

"Motion sickness is generally thought to be caused by a mismatch of what your eyes are telling you and what your inner ear (balance sensor) is saying. For many people, the effects of motion sickness can be lessened by finding a place where there is a clear view forward—in the front of a bus or car, or topside on a ship with a clear view of the horizon. If you're on board a plane or a ship, try to find a place near the middle of the craft where the up-and-down motion tends to be less pronounced. Although eating is probably the last thing that you will feel like doing, keeping something in your stomach can help considerably. You'll have to experiment to find something that you can manage, but often, bland foods like rice or bread work. Avoid drinking or eating anything acidic if possible—if it does come up, it can be rather uncomfortable. Studies have shown that dairy products, and foods high in protein and salt can make the situation worse. Being relaxed and as well rested as possible also seems to lessen the effects." — Verge Magazine

So that's motion sickness. I just can't see words for too long while on the move. Reading maps and walking is another thing. ;) So bottom line is it would be pointless for me to tweet while I am on trains or buses or on ships, right? Right. Although I predict at least 80% of the time I would tweet from museums, towers, buildings and parks. It's okay. Data roaming is one hell of a monthly bill, anyway. If only someone nice in this world would sponsor me. That would be a dream.

By the end of the month, I would have purchased my British Airways ticket to London and back. I'm still deciding if I should go to America. Mom says one minute we are and another, we aren't. I'd still go to New York. And from there on, I'll live off my friends. Or live off what I earn. Or just live around like a hobo and write on paper with pens and try and sell my book. Hopefully, that will make my parents realize how much they miss me and they'd fly over! ;)