avatarAkemi Sagawa

Summary

The article recounts a personal experience of visiting the Christmas market in Vienna, Austria, as a means to combat jet lag and reconnect with an old friend after a long flight from Seattle.

Abstract

The author describes their journey from Seattle to Vienna, where despite the exhaustion from the flight and time difference, they decide to stay awake to adjust to the local time. Accompanied by a friend, they explore the Christmas market at the Vienna University campus on a pleasant afternoon. The market, bustling with local families, provides a warm and festive atmosphere, facilitating a quick reunion over cups of warm liquor and roasted chestnuts. The author reflects on the magic of the Christmas market in helping to bridge a decade-long gap between friends.

Opinions

  • The author believes the Christmas market in Vienna is an enchanting place that aids in overcoming jet lag and fosters meaningful connections with friends.
  • Staying awake and exploring the city is seen as an effective strategy to quickly adapt to a new time zone.
  • The market's ambiance, including the presence of families and children, contributes to a sense of community and nostalgia.
  • The act of simply walking around and enjoying the market's offerings, rather than shopping, is highlighted as a way to cherish the moment and the company of friends.
  • The article suggests that such experiences are a significant motivation for traveling, emphasizing the importance of nurturing friendships across long distances.

The Magic of Christmas Market in Vienna

It was the best place to catch up with our old friend

Photo by Author

In the flights from Seattle to Vienna (via Amsterdam), we seldom slept. Two o’clock in the afternoon in Vienna time was five in the morning in Seattle. We lost almost a day of sleep and we were pretty much exhausted.

“Would you like to rest in bed for a while?” Asked our friend. If we sleep now, we won’t be able to sleep at night. In order to get rid of jet lag as soon as possible, it’s best we keep awake until the night comes.

Fortunately, the weather on that day was accommodating for an afternoon walk. We didn’t see the sun, but it was not raining, snowing, nor windy. It was not too cold, either.

After unpacking and enjoying a cup of coffee and the apple pie our friend baked, we put on our shoes again and went out into the town.

A large campus of Vienna University was within a walking distance. The building used to be a hospital.

At a first glance, the building looked so huge that it encircled the whole block. Without our friend’s lead, we would never have crawled the entry way inside.

Inside the walls of intimidatingly long building was a nice courtyard-turned-to Christmas market and a little amusement park.

It was Sunday and there were many local families with little children.

Sorry, the market folks. We didn’t do any Christmas shopping. All we bought was a cup of warm liquor and a small bag of roasted chestnuts.

Over this drink and snack, and by strolling around the pathway under the twinkling illumination, we (especially my husband and my friend) were able to fill in the gap of over 10 years quickly.

The magic of Christmas market in Vienna.

Originally published at https://akemisagawa.com on December 2, 2022.

Monthly Challenge
Travel
Vienna
Essay
Friendship
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