Some things in life you just can't be adequately prepared for, and it's probably best that way. When our wonderful neighbors, Gritt and Alfred, invited us to the Pharmacie Ball at the Imperial Palace, we knew there would be a room full of waltzers, but not much beyond that. Before we went, they assured us that they weren't great dancers, and we had nothing to be nervous about. Note for future reference: when Austrians say, "We're not great dancers", don't believe it for a second.
Little did we know that Gritt had been the "Belle of the New Year's Eve Ball" every year for 18 years, as she dressed up as "Empress Sisi". Alfred still works at several balls as crowd control, possibly the only place in the world where bouncers don 18th Century pink coats and knickers. So as their guests, we got "back stage" (free!) access to the ball, and any time anything exciting happened, Gritt and Alfred positioned us right in the middle of the action.
We witnessed the opening ceremonies where "guests of honor" are paraded through hundreds of young people dressed in tuxedos and what looked to us like white wedding dresses, then on to 10 ballet dancers from the State Opera House, to the midnight surprise with Vienna's version of the Spice Girls with mad violin skills, to the Quadrille (Viennese line dancing), many, many waltzes, plus tango, salsa, fox trot, boogie, Big Band, disco, jazz/blues, even PeeWee Herman's favorite "Tequila!" NO ONE, I repeat, NO ONE was faking it. They all know how to move.
Just to watch it all was supremely entertaining...and humbling. The couple of times we braved the dance floor, we just kept laughing at how inept we are. I'm sure in our own way we were entertaining to watch. Our sweet hosts kept assuring us, "It doesn't matter how you look, just that you have fun."
At 3:30am we arrived home, and we told each other that we have to remember this night when difficult days come, that this amazing city is full of both brokenness and beauty. We thanked God for the beauty we saw last night, and we pray for His redemption in the midst of the brokenness.
Final observation: When Brad and Stacey tell their Austrian friends, "We're not great dancers", oh! for the sake of Pete, believe us.
5 comments:
You look lovely! How fun. I had to laugh about the dancing as I was thinking oh that would be an amazing experience until I remembered I also can't dance. Glad you enjoyed your wonderful evening together!
You guys look great! What a neat experience. Maybe we should start taping Dancing With the Stars for you so you can get ready for the next one. haha! At least you had fun and tried. I would have been a wallflower. teehee love,kim
Wow...the pictures are incredible...and I'm sure it was even more so in person!! I'm glad we got to talk a bit today...looking forward to having a longer talk soon!! You made James' day by singing to him!
Missing ya!
Amy
great post! glad that it went well, and what a GREAT experience to add into your collection of Austrian culture!
Wow. Those Austrians know how to party! Looks like it was a night to remember!
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