Another reason why we travel
Photo by Author
Do you plan ahead thoroughly before you travel? Or do you explore things without researching much?
I haven’t decided which is a better way to travel, but today I would like share with you how I enjoy unexpected encounters.
The First Visit
My first trip to Europe was a 5-week backpack journey 33 years ago. I got an open jaw ticket (landing Madrid and leaving London) and a Eurail pass. No plan in between.
After getting lost in Florence for three days, I chose Vienna as my next destination. Why? Because that was the east most city I could visit without much hustle. The Iron Curtain was still hanging heavy.
I followed the crowd. There was a line forming in front of a beautiful palace, I didn’t even know the name. I asked the person at the last in the que. “What is in there?” “Kiss,” was the only word I could comprehend from that person.
I lined up behind him, got a ticket and walked in. I saw that painting and almost cried because the woman looked so happy being kissed by a man. I was still heartbroken from a breakup.
Later I learned about the paint and the artist: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt
Yesterday I visited the same museum with my husband. The painting was just as beautiful as before, but I didn’t cry this time.
What will find me this time? I walked around, paying equal attention to everything in front of me.
Bouquet of Flowers by Unknown Woman Artist… It was not even a painting. A framed decoration, made by hair, maybe by her own?
Among all the famous artists, this unknown woman artist spoke to me. And that satisfied my second visit to The Belvedere.
What was your experience of visiting a museum the second time?