My favorite day of the week is Sunday. Friends back home and I have created a tradition of “Sunday Funday”, and I intended to keep that tradition alive even while abroad. This past Sunday, the Prater seemed like the perfect destination—despite ominous cloudy skies—and it did not disappoint.
The Prater is an amusement park in the Leopoldstadt or 2nd District of Vienna. It’s officially open from March 15th until October 31st and although entry to the park is free, individual rides cost anywhere from € 1 to € 10. The Prater is also home to the famous Ferris wheel, Riesenrad, which literally means “giant wheel”.
The Riesenrad was built in 1897 by a British engineer and is one of the earliest ferris wheels. However, it is probably most famous for its appearance in the post-war classic film “The Third Man”.
The Prater feels more like one of those traveling carnivals that set up shop wherever and then suddenly are gone. It's the kind of amusement park where you wonder where they found the person operating the terrifying “Black Mamba” ride and hope you don’t vomit. It's pretty much the exact opposite of Disneyworld.
Perhaps the highlight of the day was when I got to go on a surprise date with a stranger. Of course while waiting to go on a ride, the line was cut off just as my two friends got on. There I am, stranded at the front of the line, a solo rider. While the attendant shouted out for other single riders, a young guy volunteered to be my forced date. We both posed for the other to take a picture commemorating our short-lived coupledom.
Last, but certainly not least: the people watching. I am a people watcher. Some may call it voyeurism, but I like to think of it more as keen interest in fellow humanity. From tourists, to families, to everyday Viennese, it’s all here at Prater. While I was there, I counted three mullets, a small child walking around with a piece of garlic bread that was essentially his same size, a couple wearing completely matching outfits, and countless teen couples holding hands. Though eventually those ominous clouds did break, nothing could rain on this Sunday Funday parade.