Day 11- Ballett

No I didn't spell ballet, wrong, that is the German spelling, and that is where I went tonight at the Staatsoper. I got the cheapest tickets possible, in the standing section.(It felt very Shakespearen, although those who had to stand back then, were right up front, not in the nosebleeds). It was only 2€. The ballet itself was actually three seperate ones. I am not quite sure that I liked it, it was very unconventional. The first one was Kadettenball, Duke's Nuts, and the Die Puppenfee. I am going to go see the Nutcracker at the Volksoper (People's opera) in 2 days. I think I will enjoy more, I will see if I can't get cheap seats, but if I have to stand I will. Some of the tickets there go for as little as 1€. I met some people from London there, and as well as a couple originally from South Africa-which is not on my list of places to go. Anyways I learned that Britian doesn't use the €, they still have the pound. As well as the major museums etc are free. YAY! Oh before I forget to mention this again, in the cinemas here have assigned seats, like a theatre. Lisa tells me it's the same in Ireland.
There was a washroom attendent in the Oper bathroom, and she cleaned the seat after each person. Ugh What a job. Another way to get money out of you because you are expected to tip. That is one thing I don't like about Europe is the pay toliets! I am not about to pay almost 1$ to pee, thank you very much, no matter how posh they are. If I walk in some where and find it is a pay toliet I will walk right out again. This one I went into had a male attendent. A man I ask you! As if! (And no I hadn't accidently walked into a mans WC as they have on the door here). I have found that if you are patient, you can usually find a free toliet somewhere. One thing I do like about the bathrooms here, is that the doors are like proper doors, and it is like a little room. No cubicles! The toliets are also different. The hole is at the front not the back, and there is no water until you flush, . It's kinda hard to explain.
I bought a camera (After searching in vain for two days to find the shop where I had originally seen it). It was 19.95€, but it came with two film, plus I have three films with me, so I figure it's cheaper than buying disposable ones from 7 -15€ each. I will have to wait till I come back to get the pictures developed, it is like 20€ at least for one roll. I took a picture of this guy who stands outside the Stephandom dressed like golden statue of Strauß the composer. There are several people in coustume, his was the coolest.
I also checked out this one cafe that was in my guide book, Kleines Cafe (which means small- and boy is it ever). Apparently it was in the movie Before Sunrise or something like that. I also want to check out Cafe Sperl, where Hitler used to frequent. I am not a fan or anything, I am just curious. Anyways, so I had a glass of wine at Kleines, I sat down beside this nice family from the south of France. The Perriers have lived in New Orleans, for the past 14 years, and just moved back to France 6 months ago. Their son Antoine, is cute, but too young, 17. Although it's not jailbait over here. They have invited me to come visit them, when I am in France. We exchanged contact info etc. Antoine says that they find Austria very strict compared to France, whereas to me I have never seen anywhere so lax. I can't imagine what I will think of France. When Antoine finishes high school he is thinking of coming to Canada for University. Another culture difference I have found is that when people bump into they don't say excuse me or sorry.
Lisa has also helped me find the equivilent of Shoppers Drugmart over here Bipa. It is every where, and it is very pink. I don't think I have mention that although there are no Tim Hortons over here, there are Starbucks, though I haven't ventured in. Oh yeah, I actually got the wood stove working yesterday, with a fire and everything!