Blogs from Vienna, Vienna, Austria, Europe - page 4

Aamulla sampyla leipomosta. Aamupalan jalkeen suihku ja kamat kasaan. Huone piti luovuttaa klo 10. Olin hostellin netissa liki tunnin. Kavin viela syömässä Bratislavassa, koska arvelin että se on paljon halvempaa kuin Wienissä. Kävelin asemalle. Junamatka kesti tunnin. Wienin päärautatieasemalta otin karttoja ja ostin 3 vuorokauden lipun joukkoliikenteeseen. Ajoin keskustaan metrolla, jotta voisin hakea lisää materiaalia pääturisti-infosta. No sieltä ei irronnut mitään merkittävää tietoa. Sen sijaan keskusta sinänsä teki vaikutuksen. Wien on valtava, runsaasti hienoja rakennuksia, ja toki paljon Slovakiaa kalliimpi. Kaupunki vaikutti sen verran vauraalta, että otin passin housuista ja pidin sitä etutaskussa. Ajelin sitten kehää ratikalla, kävin katsomassa missä illan bridgepelipaikka on. Hankkiuduin vielä ratikalla U6:n varteen. Eräällä ratikoiden päättärillä oli kaksi kehää päällekkä... read more

Geo: 48.22, 16.37The hotel we're staying at is great. We got stuck in a suite since we had to add an extra night but it was nice last night. Ya, $300 nice! We had another free breakfast this morning and then walked about 6 blocks down to the US Consulate to replace our stolen passports. Since my passport was the only thing of mine that was taken, I still had my ID, copy of our passports, wallet, etc. Mom has lost all of her stuff so it's harder for her. We had to stop first downstairs to get our passport pictures and spend 48€. Then to the 4th floor for our 9:30 appointment. We were early so we got in quickly. We had to fill out paperwork, submit our passport copies, police report and $270. By ... read more

Geo: 48.22, 16.37'The-Hungary-Special-Ultimate-Leave-Hotel-In-Budapest-Fun-Tax-for-Tourist' tax. Budapest wouldn't let us leave without one last subtle mugging. Once that unpleasantness was complete, we boarded a westbound train towards Budapest's Coach terminal. Here we would be boarding an 'Orangeways' bus bound for Vienna. Or so we thought we would depart from the coach station. Orangeways are too budget for that. Rather, their 'pickup spot' was across the road, denoted by a faded poster, blowing in the wind, before a construction site, as tumbleweeds blew by. The bus ride itself, was bearable enough. It was cosy, but air conditioned and 3 hours later we were to arrive in Vienna.On first glimpse, the city itself seemed somewhat underwhelming. We found the nearest U-Bahn station and made the short trip from the city centre to Langenfeldgasse in the so... read more

Magnificent is the word that comes to mind after walking around Vienna. So many beautiful buildings, palaces, churches, other big buildings. Spent a lot of time walking around but also done more visiting places than we have in other places. Trying to decide which museums/ palaces to visit was challenging, especially given that we decided to manage without a guide book. Spent a good part of one day at the Schönbrunn Palace and gardens on the outskirts of the city (once in the countryside). It’s not as beautiful as the Hofburg Palace here in the city but it was interesting going round the 40 or so rooms they have opened to the public, free audio guide helped). Lots of history of the Hapsburgs that we have kept coming across in Central Europe. The gardens were very ... read more

Geo: 48.22, 16.37We met Michael Dorsch as expected at Most. His girlfriend couldn't make it because she wasn't feeling well, but we had a great time nonetheless. It was an interesting study in degrees of separation as Michael is the son of Rich's college roommate (Tom Dorsch), cousin to Jim who Jake taught, and friend of Natasha, both Jake and Mandy's friend from high school.Dr. Dorsch is a newly appointed professor of economics at Central European University and is launching a new interdisciplinary program in public policy studies. The program will include experts in philosophy, economics, political science, history, and sociology.We had great conversations about a number of topics including the impact of economics on political decision making (for better or worse), the state of modern Hungary, and his excitement at launching the new degree program. ... read more