Blogs from Vienna, Austria, Europe - page 113

Back when I was planning this trip to Europe in April, I had planned to spend atleast a month in Vienna. I had this great plan to somehow find a job, or a way to make money while I was there. This was all before my plans to spend two weeks in Russia came into being, and then once I made plans to coach baseball in France for two weeks the month in Vienna had been widdled down to under two weeks. This threw me off a bit, and for the first few days in Vienna I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I felt very out of place; what am I doing here? I had dinner with Ed Bergman, a friend of Bill Schweke who was a co-worker/boss at CFED, the nonprofit where ... read more

My second day in Vienna I came across an African restaurant, called ‘Makossa: Brendas African Restaurant.’ I went in just to see what it was like, and after exchanging a few words with the bartender I learned that it was a Cameroonian restaurant. I was so excited. The following evening Tommy and I ate there—it was a restaurant full of Cameroonians, and then Tommy and I. It was wild because, naturally, it felt like we weren’t in Vienna anymore. The food, the music, the customers, the television playing music videos, everything was from Cameroon. Except for the beer; they served only German and Belgian beer. I was told that France is the only place you can get Cameroonian beer, anywhere else in France it is too expensive to ship it there. I am sad to say ... read more

Well Vienna is a lovely city once you have a good look around! First impressions wernt that great, especially since we were talking to other backpackers who said 4 nights was way too long to stay in this city... but we were in a great hostel, called WOMBATS, which had a great atmosphere! Met some more Aussies from Melbourne (theyre everywhere!!!) and our dorm buddies were 2 guys from the US. had a fun night out in the ˝WOMBAR˝ with them all and some crazy italians! So on our 1st full day in Vienna (Wed 9th) we went to the Schloss Schoenbrunn, which was absolutely beautiful, esp the gardens! and the sun had finally decided to come out for us so it was a really nice day! Thurs we wnet to the Belvedier Museum and ... read more

It´s over. The backpacks, margarita pizzas, and Italian bus systems are far behind, as I travel by train from Pisa to Vienna. I shared a car with an Italian, so-stereotypically-named-Antonio, and couple from the States(her), and Mexico(him). He had de best accent, by the way! For all you out there who remember the story about the hombres who fixed my car, you can understand why I had to hold back laughing everytime he spoke!! AND............... it just made me laugh again! We shared a bottle of vino, exchanged music and travel stories as well as what we planned to do in the future. It was a unanticipatted good time! I arrived in Vienna where Isabella- a friend of Kefa´s met me at the train station and took me to her super-cute flat. From there, we went ... read more

My Mom and I are here in Vienna! It is incredible, more beautiful than I had expected it to be. Everywhere you look there are buildings, doorways, architectural details worth a photo or two, and I've already taken far more than is necessary here! This morning we walked through the city, stopping at St. Stephen's Cathedral to climb the 343 stairs to the top of the north tower, which has a remarkable view of the city surround. Then we went over to the Hofburg Imperial Palace, which is a giant, overwhelming, beautiful complex of buildings and gardens. In the gateway entrance to the palace complex we stopped to listen to a violinist, who had hooked his instrument up to speakers, amplifying his sound to fill the domed gateway. Then a horse-drawn carraige passed through... It is ... read more