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, but none as delicious as a Jerusalem pita or sharaq. 
  • The lack of fresh fruit: Produce in Vienna comes from far away. And the hotel juices are very much concentrated. So uncivilized. 
  • The airport security: Somehow, the Viennese agents were far more thorough on our departure than their legendary Israeli counterparts. Auf wiedersehen, habibi!
Location: Vienna, Austria

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