Vienna Days 1 & 2

The pictures are all from Day 2, as I arrived on Friday, but didn't break out the camera until Saturday. (Too many photos for just one day, though!) I was tired from traveling, and was just happy to spend time with Gustl and Valerie.

On the way from the CAT (City Airport Train) to their house, Gustl took me most of the way around the Ringstraße, or "the ring," the street around the inner, historical part of Vienna. He pointed out most of the noteworthy buildings and had thoughtfully picked up a map inside the CAT station for me so I could follow along. We stopped to get some veggies and popped into a tabak shop to pick up some metro/train tickets for me.

Gustl and I arrived at the apartment to find Valerie on the phone. Eventually we exchanged greetings and I got settled in. The guest room is Gusti's former bedroom, apparently, and is quite comfy (sorry, no pics; didn't break out the camera until I'd already mussed the covers, lol).

We went out for sushi then walked down the block for some dessert. They are not really dessert types, but were indulging me. Armelle had taunted me with tales of roasted chestnuts in Bordeaux and I wanted some! We didn’t find a chestnut vendor that day, but we had some delicious chestnut-based pastries, mmm!

Valerie's cousin is the head rabbi in Vienna. There was a family dinner that night and Gustl was the only goy invited. And that only because of the long association with Valerie (I guess after 40 something years, they've figured they aren't getting rid of him) -- and because he will wear a yarmulke, hahaha! So I stayed home and watched The Librarian on DVD and to take a look through my tourist books to plan some outings.

As for Saturday the 11th, we started out by attending an exhibition outside city hall, the "Rathaus," appropriately enough. ;) The exhibition was about technology and how Austrians had contributed to its advance. It was all set up in an expo tent outside. There was also a large stage with a big screen, speakers, and lots of television cameras. Surprise, surprise, Michael Häupl, the mayor of Vienna, was outside glad handing people. Valerie, in a move that seemed out of character, said she was too shy to introduce herself, but volunteered Gustl instead, hahaha! After some moments of observation, however, she said the mayor only appeared to be shaking the hands of people he knew, not random citizens. Oh well! I got a few good snaps of him.

We were chatting at a table outside waiting for the next wave of people to be allowed inside the exhibit when Valerie shushed me because the mayor had gotten up onstage. He was discussing the recent death of another politician, Jörg Haider. Apparently, Mr. Haider was killed in a car accident the previous evening. The news had not made it to the morning newspapers, so it was the first Gustl and Valerie had heard of it. He was a pretty controversial figure, I hear, as he was known to have Nazi sympathies and be anti-semitic. He was also very handsome and charismatic, and managed to become quite popular. The mayor, who is quite left leaning and socialist, I understand, said he did not wish him dead, but rather wished he was alive so they could fight.

Eventually, we entered the exhibition. A bit smaller than expected, but still fun. Valerie and Gustl knew one of the exhibitors, Deborah Sengl, the only artist who had a spot, which is why we went.

Afterwards, we drove to the edge of the city on one of the sides that is surrounded by forest, and had a very nice lunch. The Weinerwald, or the Vienna Woods, are lovely, especially at this time of year as the leaves begin to turn. We went to a Styrian restaurant and sat outside in the garden. Styria is a state ("Bundesland") in southern Austria. It is known for its pumpkins and pumpkin oil.

Valerie allayed my fears of animal cruelty when it comes to weiner schnitzel. It can be made of pork or veal, you see. I don't eat veal in the US because of the way the young calves are often kept in little boxes and not allowed to move. Apparently this is an American conceit; Austrians don't do that. Also, the owners of the restaurant raise their own farm animals in Styria, feed them organic ("bio," in Europe) food, and then ship the meat up to the restaurant. So I ordered the schnitzel! Valerie cautioned me that it was not typical Viennese schnitzel, as the restaurant made it in their own special way -- in this case, it included having roasted pumpkin seeds as part of the bread coating.

Still later, we went to a friend's gallery. She imports lots of north African jewelry and textiles. Every now and then she has an open house. So we went!

We had dinner back at the apartment while watching German cop shows, lol. I am putting those pictures, and most likely many of the other apartment pictures, on a separate page.