Ten Things You Notice When You Leave Jerusalem for Vienna
The recycling : In Vienna, stores do not give out plastic bags and drinking mugs at Christmas markets require deposits, so there is almost no garbage and few waste bins. The lack of street noise : In Jerusalem, car honking is ubiquitous. In Vienna, unnecessary honking is a ticketable offense, making for a quiet city of 2.6 million people. The cost: Is Vienna pricey? Yes. But are prices for everything listed and consistent? YES. The fashion: Parts of Jerusalem dress as they did in 1795. Vienna loves Mozart and Beethoven, but skips the powdered wigs. The holidays: According to Austrians, on New Year's Day and Sunday, "everything is closed". "Everything"? I beg to differ . The schnitzel: in Jerusalem, schnitzel is chicken, full stop. In Vienna a Wiener Schnitzel is veal or pork. The pork: Did I mention they serve pork in schnitzel? Also, bratwurst. Also bacon. Etc. The lack of fresh bread: Sure there are plenty of types of bread in Vienna,...