After touring Schonbrunn Palace and its grounds, we had a nice little picnic dinner by its park while we waited for the concert. Bored with staring at the trees, we moved to a bench at the front of the palace where we people watched after our picnic.People started showing up slowly along with the VIPs in dresses and suits. There were some police and undercover security hanging aound one of the front doors so we figured somebody big was showing up. Then, I remembered that the Austrian president was presiding over the ceremony. What are the odds of running into him twice in two days? We dicided too wander over there just as all of the cars came speeding toward the palace through the massive fron courtyard.
The cars pulled up right where we were standing, and in fact the President did get out. He shook a few hands and answered some questions from the press who magically appeared when he did. Then he went inside the Palace.
That was a fun, random moment or two. We were going to head back to the other side of the palace when we noticed a 20ish Austrian wearing Hillary Clinton stickers all over his shirt. That made us start to wonder if Bill and Hillary would be there. We started looking around a bit more and noticed a whole group of US Secret Service guys standing nearby and a couple of American brand cars. I don't think I've ever seen a Ford in Europe before.
Hanging out for what seemed like forever (although there was really little else to do other than people watch while waiting for the concert), the SS guys started moving around and talking about last minute logistics (white SUV and then the black SUV follow the police motorcycles).
Bill surprised us and the photographers by entering through a side door somewhere and appearing up on the front, center balcony waving with the Austrian president.
We tried taking a photo or two but he was too high up and was surrounded by people. He did look over towards us and saw the kid with all of the Hillary stickers. He motioned for him to come up the stairs to the balcony. He made his way up there. Clinton spoke with him for a moment, signed one of the kid's signs and then read the letter the guy had written to Hillary. When he was done, Clinton gave one last wave and disappeared inside.
Remembering earlier that the SS guys had started the SUVs but had not left yet, Mom suggested we hang out a bit longer. And it paid off. A few minutes later, Clinton came out through the side front door that we were standing near. There were four other Americans standing next to us and when Clinton walked out, they startd singing the US national anthem. One of his staff members pointed them out and Clinton came walking over. He talked to the boys for a minute and then came over to us. We shook his hands, said hello and then snapped some photos of him as he made his way back.
Several chances to meet the guy and I had to fly over to Europe to make it happen! Oh well. It was a great moment! It made my mom's day, well probably week actually. She was really excited about it.
Clinton got into the SS car and drove off. We made our way through the palace to the back courtyard for the concert and who was on the stage? Bill Clinton! He was receiving a check from the people of Austria for a charity fund. The man was everywhere!!
Not a bad way to end your last day in Vienna: meeting the President, picnicing in the royal park and hear the National Orchestra play at the palace. Not too shabby at all. Not at all.
