I had just turned 21, and was traveling alone for the first time in my life. Vienna for three days, then was going to meet up with my family, and return to being in that in-between stage. At first, I was afraid I’d be bored by the lack of company. In fact, the experience was quite the opposite. I was at ease exploring the city on my own pace, doing *whatever* I wanted to do, *whenever* I wanted to do it. I was carried through Vienna that summer powered by nothing other than my own whimsy. To this day, it remains a crystallization of my favorite kind of freedom. On every street, a new place to explore, or a new person—and no one to tell you no.
My first night in Vienna, I bought a ticket to a concert in a church. Afterward, I strolled out of the church humming, trying to decide what to do next. I was wearing an outfit that made me feel like the definition of sophisticated: Long flare black linen pants, a crop tank top that showed a peek of my stomach. Bright red lipstick. Timeless, and feeling myself. Vienna, in the summer, is teeming with activity. There are outdoor concerts, festivals, and movies galore. All free, and all *right there* for the taking.