map · about · f.a.q. · e-mail ··· français

Wien (Vienna)

"When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?" - Billy Joel

Vienna waited for me indeed. So much that when the Billy Joel song played on my iPod as I approached the city, I shed a few tears, amid businessmen in the middle of their paperwork. It was like a dream, considering I was not-so-awake in the first few hours, following a sleepless night on the train. Indeed, Vienna is as beautiful as everyone, especially Georg, told me. Even under the pounding rain, it is a great city in which to wander. Loads of museums to do (especially the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Technisches Museum), animals to see, gardens in which to get lost, cappucinos to sip, beautiful Viennese boys to watch and great performances from street musicians that have been more memorable than any Mozart concert would have been.

Schloß Schönbrunn - The name of this place litterally means "beautiful well." And even though it's not really a well, it's nevertheless beautiful, even in semi-cloudy weather. It was the residence of Empress Maria Theresia in the 18th century. Schönbrunn - The gardens surrounding the actual Schloß (palace) are very vast. In the distance you can see a monument called the Gloriette. But Solo is looking towards something else. Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Zoo) - A polar bear enjoying lunch, obviously not worried about the bird leeching nearby. Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Zoo) - Flamingos, ducks, and other birds enjoy what little sun is nearby. Solo is probably trying to compete with them, asking "Okay, who's pinkier than ME?" Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Zoo) - It seems that seals are in the mating season . They aren't kissing. They're hissing! They're fighting! Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Zoo) - Last but not least: the koala! It was the first time I saw one for real, even though it was through thick glass and, unlike so many places in Australia, I couldn't hold the sleepy-eyed, eucalyptus-eating lazy little teddy bear. Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle - A scale model of Terminal 2 at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris, at the Technisches Museum Wien (Technical Museum), during the Airworld exhibit. Solo in an airline seat - Another shot at the Airworld exhibit: an airline seat inside the new Boeing 787. Nice and comfy and with a beautiful view, just the way Solo likes it! Donauturm (Danube Tower) - This nice tower is unfortunately located in a park Northeast of downtown Vienna, following a long walk out of the bus stop. Donauturm (Danube Tower) - The view from the top was very nice, although very windy! Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) - It's one of the most important art collections in the world. A lot of busts are lining this beautiful hallway. Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) - Yes, I know. This statue has a nice butt. Mozart Statue - Yes, Salzburg is actually where Mozart was born and raised, but still, Vienna wants to have its share by putting statues like this one near the Stadtpark (City Park.) Staatsoper (Opera) - I took pictures and wandered carefully around the Opera because I would constantly be pestered by employees dressed as Mozart asking me if I wanted to attend one of their concerts. Stephansdom - Every city in my itinerary has its very busy central place. And in Vienna, it ended up being this one. Hords of tourists wandering around, stopping for pictures. Only trouble is: this church was hidden by unsightly scaffoldings. Kärntnerstraße - A major shopping street in downtown Vienna, lined also with cafes and Italian ice cream vendors. Still life at a cafe - Cappucino served with the glass of water on the side, Solo posing in the middle of a postcard I'm writing to my parents... It's just a dreamy still nature! Hotel-Pension Wild - For the low price of 45.00 EUR per night, I had this cozy private room with a shower and breakfast. The toilet was down the hall. As I looked at ratings for this hotel, I found out they are actually gay-friendly, but you couldn't tell once there. People of all walks of life were staying there. I recommend it to anyone.

Previous stop: Berlin/PotsdamMapNext stop: Salzburg



© 2006, Sergio Ortega. Last update: 2006/06/24.
This website is part of the airodyssey.net group.