Our First Weekend in Vienna

Woke up Saturday morning to another beautiful day. (Sorry to you folks who are still digging out!) So we went walking again.

We are still figuring out the wonderful transportation system here. So far, when we didn"t want to walk someplace we have taken the subway- very easy, comes often and is quiet and clean. Takes us about 1-15 minutes to walk to a stop. So today we walked in the other direction (only about 2 blocks) and found a bus that took us directly to Rich's school- the Technical University. Later we took a tram back, so the options are really many.

We first went to the Secession, which is right near the school. There are two small exhibits- one pretty conceptual that left us cold, and the other downstairs where the artist created a "swinger's club" that one can actually patronize in the evenings, to go along with the suggestive "Beethoven's Frieze" in the basement. (Not sure that Rich and I will be there when it is operative, but you never know!) So it turns out that the advertizing banners on the front are part of one of the exhibits, but I am not really sure how!

Anyway, the building is better than what was inside! It is really amazing and between the golden leaves on top and the ornament on the walls, it truly stands out!

Then I had to show Rich the Nacshmarket. On Saturday there is also a flea market that goes on forever- more junk per square inch than you can believe. We had a great falafel and had to buy some bread, cheese, spices and veggies. It's all so tempting, with lots of fresh stuff and organics.After that, we took the tram around the Ringstrasse, for a self guided tour. So we are beginning to learn the trams and busses too, which is all really convenient.

Got home late afternoon to find this beautiful view out the window of our apartment. Notice the full moon over the stadium in the distance.

In the foreground is our neighboring church tower, and beyond that is the soccer field.

More tomorrow.

Another day of walking the city

So here it is Thursday night and I must have had a successful day because my feet are killing me! Mostly I wandered around, looking at buildings and continuing to get my bearings. Walked through various neighborhoods, including Leopoldstadt, which is the Jewish quarter and the Naschmarkt. It is called the Naschmarkt because you can spend your whole time noshing! (I don't know that much Yiddish, but there are some times that the little I do know comes in handy!) Lots of fruit and vegetable stands, bakeries, small stands of various types and especially lots of sellers of Middle Eastern food- cheeses, humous and tzaziki, nuts and spices- mostly folks from Turkey and Balkan countries, as far as I can tell.

Went by the Secession and was fairly shocked to see two large advertizing banners on its front facade! Much more variety of architectural styles than in Paris, but the same sort of feeling since the inner city seems to have a similar height limit. But of course, many more new buildings constructed after the war.

Rich spent the day with the Fulbright folks and is enjoying how nicely they treat him! They really take care of their folks! He likes being called professor all the time- I think I even have to do that! I get to join him tomorrow for more lessons on history and politics in Austria and a short tour of the Ringstrasse.

Guess that is it for today. Have to watch the hockey game!

settling in

Well, we are definitely here! Hard to believe after so much preparation.

Trip was ok except for missing our connection in London. Luckily we were able to get on the next flight in spite of various strikes that made Heathrow more of a mess than usual. Our bags did not arrive until the following day- but at least they did arrive, so I am not complaining.

Rich's graduate students met us at the airport and brought us to our apartment- really nice folks and very helpful since we were pretty tired by then. They were also able to translate for our landlord whose English is pretty limited. Rich has been good about trying his German, but really most folks do speak at least some English. I plan to check out some language courses pretty soon so I can try more.

After a good night's sleep, we felt great and Vienna put on its best face for us yesterday as we walked around and tried to get our bearings. Weather is beautiful- high 40's temperature and sunny. (sorry folks on the east coast! I hear you are being inundated again!)

Our apartment is really lovely -bright and roomy, so we can accommodate visitors! We are on the 8th floor and overlook the Prater, which is a big city park with a soccer field where there seem to be games every night. At the far end is a large amusement park with a big ferris wheel- a virtual Vienna landmark. Lots of really interesting new buildings on the horizon - objects for further inspection when I can actually find them!

Of course we found a cafe on our first day for cafe mit schlag and sacher torte! Cafe Kafka- how appropriate is that! We decided to keep a log of how many and which are best! Will report as time goes by (actually I have to find something other that cafe mit schlag! too strong.)

So today (Thursday) Rich goes off to meet people at his school and then has a Fullbright orientation, leaving me on my own all day- should be interesting!