Blogs from Austria, Europe - page 6

I have uploaded photos that should have been included in earlier blogs about Budapest. There is one picture of a bathroom sign, that explains how different cultures can be. I can remember being in a bathroom, in between flights, tired from the 4 o'clock alarm, not quite sure what country/city I was in until I saw the sign that instructed people to put used toilet paper in the bin and not the toilet bowl, and I knew I was in Athen's airport. Travelling has a way of knocking you out of your comfort zone, which is a good thing. Perspectives change. Now my bathroom at home does not seem too small at all. I had one half its size in a hotel in Santorini, and could function well enough. Throughout Austria the signs for public bathrooms ... read more

This afternoon I went to Belevedere and paid to see their collection. Worth every penny, so much more enjoyable art then in earlier museums, I thought. Today is a hot sunny day and the streets and museums were crowded with tourists. It felt like a weekend, and I am glad I am leaving Vienna for a few days. I am even more glad that I spent the afternoon looking at such lovely paintings. I will post my favourites, with info tiles for some of them. After touring Belevedere, I went in search of St. Stephen cathedral in the centre of the city. I got lost two days ago trying to find it. For any travelers, take the wide pedestrian street in between the Bristol Hotel and the Opera house, it goes directly to the cathedral, passing ... read more

Spent the day downtown, visiting art galleries. But first I went to a butterflyhouse. Disappointing 5 euros, relatively small space with few butterflies and too many loud children. It took time to find the art gallery. At first, I went into the public archives because it said 'museum' but that was a papyrus museum which sounded intriquing but I had some Piccasos to find. I bought a combined ticket for two galleries, 24 euros. I will upload photos of interesting art and several info panels so you get the gist of the day. Most of the art was created to get you thinking, some raised current or historical political awareness. It was raining when I left the last museum. I took tram to internet cafe to create this blog. It is expensive and a bit tiring ... read more

It has been a long but successful day. Got up at four and flew to Athens, and then Vienna. That’s it for planes and airports until I fly home (unless I am tempted by another close destination). I am looking forward to the ease and comfort of trains. I went to the iPad store and they fixed it for free! It will be an early night tonight.... read more

I explored the streets that my friends showed me yesterday. I know where the tailor, shoemaker, chocolate maker, grocer, flower ladies shops are, plus a lot more. Scroll down to read the notes with the many photos that I have taken today. This neighborhood was once countryside where the Liechtenstein palace was built, and before that there were thousands of years of history that included the Roman Empire. When you walk along the streets you feel the layers of history, especially when you see mature trees. Can you imagine what a100 year old tree has witnessed in Vienna!! Can you imagine a thousand years of history here? For me, it is candy for my eyes, such artistic architecture, especially when you look up. There are so many cliches walking by….athletic young people who might have over ... read more