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Published: February 3rd 2013
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After a great deal of traveling for work in San Francisco and Malta, and more airport layovers than I'd like to remember, I finally have reached the "urlaub" (vacation) portion of my travels: Vienna. I've wanted to visit the city for many years, partially for my love of the city's most successful pop star, Falco, partially because speaking German is ganz spaβ (very fun) for me, and my general love of seeing new places, new cultures and having new experiences.
After arriving at the airport, I wanted to make sure to get to the hotel as soon as possible, as I had a concert at Musikverein to attend early that evening. I took the CAT, which advertises that it can take you from the airport to the city center in 16 minutes. It was quite comfortable, and the conductor helped me map out my Ubahn (subway) travels after arriving at Wien Mitte. I navigated the subway well, feeling quite New York confident. I have to say, Vienna is a tourist-friendly city. I felt like mechanisms were in place to help me get to and fro, without ever feeling like I was getting the run-around or getting ripped off. New York
My hotel
in Josefstadt could learn a thing or two.
While I was awesome on trekking around the Ubahn (including making a transfer), I got a bit lost once reaching above-ground. A kind German-speaking woman from Virginia led me in the right direction, and I found the Hotel Pension Wild. This is the first and only gay-owned hotel in Vienna. I was greeted by the owner, Peter Wild, who made me feel quite at home! He also upgraded my room to one that generally costs about 40 euro more per night, so that was a very good way to begin my travels!
He is assisted by Dimitris, the house dog! He is three pounds of awesome!
The room is quite spacious and comfortable, although since this is a "guesthouse", it does not have some of the amenities a regular hotel might. All the same, I'm quite happy I chose this hotel; the personal friendly service and advice goes a long way when you are traveling alone in a foreign country.
I had to rush a bit to get ready, and was, in vain, trying to find somewhere fast to eat that also would accept credit cards. Vienna is seemingly anti-credit
card, so I finally found an ATM and got some euros for a rice, veggie and tofu dish. Yes, my first meal in Vienna contained tofu. Nicht schlecht!
The Musikverein is quite a beautiful and historic place. The staff working there are the height of snobbery, as I was trying to figure out the norms of the place while still kind of in high gear from trying to find the venue, eat, and so forth. After checking my bag (they seemed disgusted that I would bring a backpack to the venue!) I got to my seat and realized quickly what a 17 euro ticket gets you: A seat on the balcony, set off in a corner so that the only view you have is of the audience members that paid more for their tickets! Literally, if I strained my neck I could see a few of the concert chairs on stage. This was absurd. I was feeling really angry and depressed: I traveled thousands of miles, and this is what you give me? Without any warning that this seat is not even a partial-view seat, but a NO-VIEW seat?
Once the concert began, there were several untaken seats
Musikverein
The view from a GOOD seat... on the side balcony. So the other shunned patrons and I moved over. We now had a partial-view seat, but at least I actually felt like I was AT the concert and not listening to an mp3! During the opening number, I was still pretty pissed, but by the time the Beethoven section n began, I could enjoy the concert.
During intermission, I made my way downstairs and managed to snag a 60 euro seat in the orchestra. Being able to see and hear the symphony in full was a great and exciting experience. The acoustics in the hall are amazing, and I really enjoyed the second-act selection by Nikolia Rimski-Korsakow (The performance was by the Pomorska Philharmonie, from somewhere in eastern Europe I'm guessing!). You could really notice the individual work of each performer, even the triangle guy - he rocked that shit. Who could imagine that you can have a stellar career as the triangle guy?
After the concert, I opted for a Vegetarian Döner kebap, which consisted of this yummy bread, a thick feta-like cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato, chilis and tzatziki sauce. I was in heaven!
I slept in today (much needed!) and soon
Musikverein
The view from my original seat. I'll be off for some Falco-related adventures. Tschüss!
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Lynda
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The View
Great start to the blog! When I was pretty small...maybe 7 or so, my folks to me to the ballet...and I guess my father didn\'t realize we had \"partial view\" seats. We were literally behind a pillar ( for a ballet!). I guess I started to cry. My father went to the managerand reported that I was in tears and they gave us center orchestra seats! Muuuuch better. Glad you moved your seat and that you are having fun. Is the 3 pounder a Pom? Cute! love you, Mom