Entschuldigen Sie bitte!

Greetings Herrs and Fraus (and Fraulines too I suppose!)


Yesterday Todd and I spent some time exploring this beautiful city of Vienna. Having now mostly recovered from the flight, we were keen to get an early start on some tourist-y activities. Of course, early start meant breakfast at 9.30, leaving the hotel at about 11, stopping for 3-4 coffees along the way... you get the idea.





The architecture is simply beautiful here.



We walked around the city admiring the beautiful architecture. There is certainly lots of it. Vienna is famous for several things; it's beautiful buildings, the food and of course the culture! There are lots of museums and concert halls throughout the city and we spent some time in the Museum of Fine Art.



Of course, in usual Danny fashion, it took us about 20 minutes to find the entrance to what we thought was the Museum. This was further punctuated by the fact that when we DID find the entrance, I asked an official looking girl where the Museum of Fine Art was, she said "it's not here". Todd and I later discussed that possession of a walkie-talkie does not make someone "official". When I said we were looking to see some paintings from famous artists, such as Caravaggio, she did tell me that there were some in the the giant building... strange that.



We then sat down in the garden to consult our map. The quality of the map is such that it is literally falling to pieces within days of our arrival in Vienna. As Todd was checking the details a young woman approached us with a rose in her outstretched hands.



This was really lovely, I thought. This kind young woman obviously wanting to promote Vienna as a welcoming city, wandering the gardens of a tourist attraction offering roses to tourists. I gladly took the rose and this is where it turned ugly. You see, faithful followers, one would think I was accustomed to the beggers in Europe, (refer to earlier chapters where I was duped by a 'deaf' man selling French flag pins) but no. This woman had me hook line and sinker! She held up a photo of a clearly unhappy child and proceeded to ask for money. Of course, Todd had already politiely declined the rose, however, clearly, since I had taken it, we were up for some cash here. I was speechless!

 

Todd gave me a "look" and then basically gave her ALL of the coin he had. I had thought she would be pleased with this (as I was really dis-pleased!) however her face was actually quite scowlish! Afterwards Todd told me that it really amounted to about €2($3.50AUD) so clearly this was why she was unhappy!

Anyway.. it turned out that the building that was "not it" was actually "it" and we went inside. The art work is stunning and there was a lot to get through. After a couple of hours, Todd and I made our way back to the hotel room.

We had earlier booked tickets for an orchestral performance, so we had to quickly get ready and made our way over to the Konserthaus. It was a really beautiful performance, punctuated with some humour and operatic performances. We were in the second row and had a fantastic view. Unfortunately, the older gentleman next to Todd obviously thought he should be on stage as he was "conducting" in his seat and humming along to the music. This wouldn't have been so bad, but it really sounded like he was off key...!

All around a fanstastic evening. The one thing we forgot was to have dinner! I still haven't tried a Viennese schnitzel. (For those who know me, I understand the incredulity you are now experiencing due to my almost obsession around the chicken schnitty, however the "Schnitzel Centre" on the corner across from the hotel that sells schnitties for €2 seems a little dodgy to me!) So I think that should be my top priority for my next meal! I'll let you know how it goes!

Auf wiedersehn!