Blogs from Vienna, Austria, Europe - page 123

Its been a wonderful week in Vienna; especially since the predicted rain did not happen. Sunny and pleasantly warm each day. So we were able to have our boat trip on the Danube after all. It was like being in a fairy land as the boat passed by ancient little towns with their red roofed buildings and castles perched high on hills. Some hightlights of Vienna: the buildings, statues, monuments etc are very grandiose. Emperor Franz Josef had the Roman city walls taken down and replaced with huge Roman-Greco style architecture. The museums are fabulous--it would require a long time to go through them all! We tried for one a day. I think my favourite was in the Hofburg Castle: the display of historical musical instruments--from ancient mouth instruments to stringed instruments to almost modern day ... read more

We've had 2 wonderful and full days in Vienna. Although I was here before (in 1966!) I don't remember the scale of grandiose buildings and monuments. The city is arranged in concentric circles because the original city had a round fortified wall which Emperor Franz Joseph demolished and replaced with fabulous buildings, theatres, fountains, parks, and statues in the 19th century. Vienna is now rejuvenated as a centre of culture. I have to keep reminding myself to look up when walking to see all the ornamentation on the buildings. Domes and statues are everywhere. Yesterday we took advantage of the sunny day to walk in the gardens of Schonbrunn Palace, considered the "Versailles" of Austria. Our friend, Fritz, reminds us that, unlike the French Kings, the Austrian rulers did not bankrupt the country! In the 2 ... read more

I would like to welcome you to Vienna, the city I call home for the next year of my life as I try to improve my German, immerse myself in another history and culture, and study... marine biology. "But Austria is a landlocked country," you say, adding with a chuckle that I "should be studying in AustrALia!" I like Australia. I aspire to go there one day. And, you do have a valid point - the Austrians think coming here to study without an ocean is pretty hilarious too, but - surprise! - the UniWien has a small and dedicated department of Marine Biology. You can check it out yourself at http://www.univie.ac.at/marine-biology/ if you are interested in seeing the research that they are involved in. There are other distincly positive aspects to studying in Vienna as ... read more

'Eiskaffee' at Demel's in Vienna--after watching marching bands, we attended the 'Erntedankfest' (harvest festival) where sugar beet farmers erected large signs protesting the globalization that caused them to lose their livelihood to the Brazilians due to their lack of child labor laws. Displays of fruits and vegetables mounded and wreathed:cabbages, red and white, eggplant, carrots, onions and peppers; apples, plums, strawberries, blackberries and all sorts of berries we don't have, all in front of booths serving small meals, beer and coffee at long tables on the meadows behind the Hofburg, the imperial palace. Back in the smaller courtyard, the castle was just expelling the guests of a big society wedding. Remarkable, large brimmed hats in every color of the rainbow, Paris coutoure, men in morning coats kissing the hands of ladies shaded by the wide brims ... read more

Boarded the train to Upper Austria, which takes about 2 hrs from Vienna. And what a great train ride that is. You pretty much ride the train on the banks of the Danube River - very lush and green. Our destination: Linz. The Ars Electronica Festival to be precice. This electronic arts festival is an institution in Linz and invited people from all over the globe to participate. Really cool and very unexpected in this otherwise sleepy town. The only cafe around is called Cafe Traxlmayer...so make sure you go there sit on the terrace and enjoy your coffee. ... read more