I leaned over to look at the wall clock and saw that it was approaching 15.00 hours--"tea time" here. I stood up and sort of shuffled off in the direction of the kitchen and said, "What do you think...."? "Yes, what a good idea. I'm ready for some". The bride was busy playing "Word Feud" on her tablet and completely ensconced in her chair over by the heater. When the tea water had boiled and was steeping on the tea light, I started cutting a piece of kerststol to serve with our tea--it's that time of year. I then took the tea and stol into the living room, served it and plopped down in a chair across from her, picked up my cup and sort of held it close to my mouth and cupped the hot glass with squinted eyes. The steam curling up off the tea's surface. I thought about sipping after blowing across the glass. Ummm, but it was way too hot of course. I looked over at my partner and asked if she had any idea what would be good for supper. We talked about the various possibilities and combinations. A decision was not resolved, so we talked about other things as we nibbled on the lovely stol. Our second cat had just passed away and we still talked about her and things that she would do. I stood up and went over to the sterio and slid a cd in. It was a nice one featuring a Mozart concert for horns. As the first notes were blown, I went back over and sat down with a smile of contentment-- tea, stole and nice, calming music. It was all so romantic and cosy on such a cold and wintry day. I sat silently thinking about several subjects such as the music, the spring bloomers in the lottie, the neighbour lady that had just rebounded from a particularly rough chemo Rx....those sorts of things. My bride remarks upon occasion that she can't imagine how I can just sit and contemplate...for extended periods, punctuating with the words, " I can't just sit and do nothing, I always have to be doing SOMETHING". Tis a pity that she does not see contemplation as doing SOMETHING. chortle. Ach, but that's just me and I like to make a ceremony out of drinking tea and contemplating--it is a chance for me to sit with my mental feet up on the coffer table, so to speak...and I relish it. Just then, she piped-up, "How would you like schnitzel, then"? "A Wiener schnizel"?, I innocently inquired. She looked over the top of her tablet, one eyebrow arched. "Wot"?, I inquired pursuing the innocent path. "Tch! Then she said, "There is a deal here that you can pay for three days in Vienna and get four". "Mmm Hmm". "Four days, you travel by train and only one change-over". The price was sweet. I had a look, but didn't need long to deliberate. An enthousiastic "Yes!", was my almost instant reply. "You want a Wiener schnitzel, so you go to Wien (Vienna). How cool is that"! She began the background info gathering and so did I. We looked up all the possibilities of hotel location, underground trajects, important sites as well as music, restaurants and history. Neither of us had ever been to Vienna, so this was a great time to do it. Christmas is a good time to go because there are many interesting things to do and see. The city is alight with Christmas lighting and Christmas markets. We ordered the tickets and packed our bags right away. It all had to be done quickly as the places were filling up so close to Christmas. Ahhh--just the thought of delicious food, beautiful and interesting sites and of course, the music for which Vienna is so well known. Within a couple of days the ticket packet arrived and we could leave. Sadly there were a couple of planning details that the company fell down on, but being travellers, we sorted that out. Naturally, this mouse would have a tail, as we say. The trip was almost twelve hours long and we arrived in Vienna late at night. It was dark and not being familiar with the city it could have been a bit of a problem, as the "How to get to the hotel instructions" supplied by the booking company would have had us taking a tram to another train station and then walking 1½ kilometres through the streets to the hotel. It is noteworthy to note here that there are streets in the centrum where no traffic of any sort is allowed. I had already searched out an alternative and we took the subway from the train station where we arrived to the central plaza, St. Stephan's Platz, where we went above ground and our hotel was only 100 meters. Voilà! Well, I guess by now you are saying, "Ja,ja--it's all very nice, the story and all...but where's the pics. Show me the pics"! Right then, foto's--I have divided them into groups to make viewing them quicker. Street Scenes: A palace gate from 1552 A sign warning of fines if you do not gather up your pet's poop Memorial trees planted for loved ones in a park. How old-fashioned is this! A statue in the park that appears on so many CD's of music by this composer, Johann Strauss We stumbled upon this small church just in time for a wonderful concert inside. St. Peter's Church The entire city was bedecked with special Christmas lighting, I will show only a few. Schloss Schönbrunn: There are too many things to photograph here, most of which were inside the palace and photography was prohibited there. Still, I took a few pics of the palace from the outside. I can just imagine how pretty the grounds would be in the summer with blooming plants on the lawn. A green house An old timepiece. The time shown here by the vertical shadow was precise. Animals that I saw on the grounds of Schönbrunn: This corbid was almost as large as a crow This bushy-eared squirrel was totally used to tourists and came right up to us begging for food. This thing was so large, it looked like a small rabbit, in a manner of speaking. The Christmas Markets: Therer are Christmas markets over the whole city. Every small plaza and every large plaza. Each market has their own mug that you can drink hot chocolate or glühwein. You pay a deposit for the mug which you get back when you return it...or if you want to keep it that's oké too. One can buy food, drink and various other baubles and trinkets to decorate one's tree or house with. I was pleases to note that although an enormous amount of glühwein was consumed, there was no disorderly conduct. A very nice market was the one in front of the Rathaus This one is at Am Hof This one at Schöenbrunn You can buy a number of Christmas things at the markets ....and then there was the variety of street food This one is of large buns that have hollowed out and filled with soup or goulash Then there is the sort of food that one does not buy on the street Sachertorte, brownie and a choc and almond paste bon-bon: Here is a sachertorte, choco-bom and hot chocolate with whipped cream A nice waffel with custard, banana, whipped cream and chocolate syrup The most famous schnitzel place in Vienna (where it all begun), Figlmüller ...and then the Wiener schnitzel itself It was an all too short vacation; and on the train ride back home, I thought that I could detect a slight waistline increase.
Thank you, I feel that I had a vacation in Vienna with a great guide! THAT is a greenhouse? Oh, my stars . . . .
Oh my. I am soooo jealous. What a wonderful spur of the moment trip. The memories will last a lifetime. I would love to see all the Christmas decorations that they have in many of the European cities. Thank you for taking us along.
That does it!! After seeing your wonderful photographs Ian and I have decided we MUST go on a Christmas break - maybe next year. The Viennese decorations, the food, the markets and the architecture are all fabulous but my favourite is that HUGE greenhouse. I'm now sitting contemplating (with a cuppa) all the different plants I could fit into it. Oh boy would I go to town stuffing it with exotics, fruit trees and so much more.
Thank you for taking us with you to Vienna! It looks like a beautiful city. Drinking tea is the perfect time to ponder,I agree . There is no problem too great that cannot be cured by a decent cuppa
Oh I so wish I could just pack up and go like that! What a wonderful trip, so many things there remind me of my German heritage. I would love to see the Schloss Schönbrunn in the gardening season, and that greenhouse left me stunned too! Oh the food looks delicious! It is my family tradition to eat Schnitzel on Christmas Eve, as well as some other German traditional food ... rotkohl, bratkartoffeln, Grünkohl ... YUM! Our Schnitzel never looks like the one you have shown though ... it's HUGE!
A trip to Vienna, fantastic!! Pictures too!! Thank you Sjoerd. Hmmm... all that food now I'm hungry. Jerry
Thank you for showing us Vienna....everything was so beautiful and now you made me hungry... with all the interesting food...
MAGA--Yes, that is a greenhouse...but the ones in KEW Gardens in England are much larger still. I am glad that you liked the trip. Thanks 2T-- I'm pleased that you liked the posting. I like doing "spur-of-the-moment". EILEEN-- That is a good decision that you and Ian made. The week before christmas is a good time as most folks want to go during christmas itself for the concert and other things. WE bookesd just at the last minute because the day after we booked the deal was closed because all the vacancies had been filled. BTW if you really are serious about going next christmas, I would advise you to book earlier than we did and I can give you some tips about hotels, restaurants sites and their costs and inner city transportation. Whatever trip you choose, be sure that your hotelk is in the dead centre of town--that way almost everything will be within walking distance. Thanks KK--I quite enjoyed myself. You are welcome, KIA--Ja, me and tea are inseparatable chums. You know NETTY--I thought about you a lot whilst I was in Vienna because I recalled your german heritage. It is good to see that you keep to the tradition of eating those foods. They really ARE good. I had some things that I had never had before. I can't say that there was anything that I tried there that I didn't like. heh heh heh Their bratwürstel were done on a grill, not in bubbling oil, which I especially appreciated. If you have heard of the woman called Sisi...the wife of Emp. Franz Josef. There are places all over the city that you can visit as well as seeing some of her things at Schöenbrunn. Very happy that you enjoyed the posting, JERRY. It was delightful. You are welcome, SHERRY--I am getting hungry myself just looking over the story again.
What a beautiful vacation! Thank you for taking us along with you. I think I've gained a pound or two just from looking at your pictures!
A very festive trip Sjoerd. It's like something out of a movie. Your writings are always entertaining!
hahahaha....,Oh, 2OF-- you just won´t do. I do know what you mean though. FRANK--It really WAS festive. I would recommend that for anyone. The relaxed and festive atmosphere there was not something that I often experience. It is the christmas time, but the festivities are not per se religious...more social. It was just great!
Sjoerd, I loved your account of the holiday trip. Vienna is a place I can only dream of and see in photos, like these. This is one of the reasons why Garden Stew is such a special place. We can experience these places around the world with each other. Yea, I can see why your waistline might be a bit bigger! That food looks scrumptious.
