Random

Today is Halloween.

I will add taking piano lessons and learning a language (maybe Spanish or French) to my bucket list.

Tomorrow we leave for Prague.

I come home Saturday, and I realize I am not ready to come back. The three days I took off to be local now seem like a waste, as I could be doing something but alas I feel like that the down time was needed.

I also learned more about Roma gypsies. I had always thought they came from  Romania, but they come from the area around India and Pakistan and migrated years ago. The name Roma is from an area of I want to say Turkey they lived in for years before becoming wanderers. The gypsy part comes because people thought they were from Egypt.

Will run spell check as soon as possible.

Vienna

When we returned to Vienna, I went for a walk along the canal.

Then I cut over and went to the Royal Treasury. There were some amazing pieces! Looking at how the Hapsburg's lived, I wonder how their people fared. It's one thing to see their lavish palaces and another thing to be a common person during those times.

After that, I went to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. There were pieces from Raphael, Holbein, Rubin, Rembrandt, and others. There were a lot of pieces. The ones that stood out were of people I knew like Jane Seymour (Henry VIII's third wife), Mary Tudor (his sister not daughter), Charles V. There were also some paintings involving Jupiter seducing various women.

There was a section I ignored because the paintings disturbed me and not in a good way. I don't want to see decapitated heads. Call me old fashion!

Then a final stroll around Vienna for this trip!

Bratislava

This morning we drove to Slovakia to visit Bratislava. I so loved it!

We started with a tour by a local guide who is also a writer and photographer. Then free time.

I basically stayed in the old town area. Went to St. Martin's Cathedral, which was quite nice. It reminded me of St. Colman's in Cobn because not only was it beautiful but it was also quite peaceful as it is not on folk's radar.

I thought the place was charming and understated. Rick Steves said to give it two hours but I could see myself coming for a few days. Like Wales a great place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city life.

There were also some pretty funny statues. The Promenade area was nice to walk through.

Mozart and Beethoven both spent time there so those buildings were pointed out.

I was bummed because a museum I wanted to go to was closed. It holds a series of six royal English tapestries (apparently the only intact set in the world).

It's one of my favorite spots so far!

Vienna - Random

The computer here is kind of weird. Every word shows as wrong so will run spell check at home. Also the y and z are in the wrong spots so bare with me. Actually the keyboard is pretty funky. I always forget!

Some of the lovely food I have had includes beef stew with potatoes, wiener schnitzel (veal), Wurstelstand hot dogs for a fast, cheap lunch, and apfelstrudel. I thought I would lose weight, but alas, negative! The hotel also makes yummy Belgian waffles for breakfast. Cannot resist!

I forgot to mention that in Budapest, we went to the observation deck at St. Stephen's Basilica. The views were decent.

And not to confuse you but yesterday I also went to St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.

Vienna

Today I slept in and skipped breakfast.

We started the morning at the Schronbrunn Palace, which was the summer home of the Hapsburg emperors. The rooms we saw were quite nice and the garden behind the castle was nice even though it was fall.

We also walked around the grounds of the Hofborg Palace courtyards, which was their main home. Vienna is pretty impressive, and I am counting the city as a museum in itself.

I wanted to go to the Royal Treasury but it was closed so I will need to go tomorrow afternoon after Slovakia.

I did go into the Imperial Rooms and they too were impressive.

I walked around the area of the Opera House, City Hall, Votive Church, and Parliament.

I will be heading in pretty soon.

Tomorrow Slovakia and then the Royal Treasury and perhaps more walking.

My vacation is winding down. Today is Tuesday and I come back Saturday!

Vienna Night One - You Must Leave by Seven

We arrived in Vienna yesterday afternoon. After I got settled in, I joined the couple from Qatar, Lisa and Brooks, for dinner.

I need to remember the name of the dish I had, but it was good. Brooks had some boiled beef, which was by far the best dish.

When we asked for a table a little before six, the restaurant was almost empty but there were a lot of seven o' clock reservations.

So the host was like I can sit you but you must leave be seven. It wasn't rude it was just very matter of fact. We laughed about that for the rest of the night. You must leave by seven. Yes, still on the floor!

We then went to the concert. It was good. There was a live orchestra and also some singers and some dancers. Good way to spend an evening. I was so tired when we got home and was ready to crash!

Goodbye Budapest!

My prior hotels had free Internet, but alas, this one does not. I have been waiting to find an Internet Cafe.

When I woke up yesterday morning, it was snowing! Then it turned to rain mixed with snow. Very cold and losing my gloves that much more irksome.

I have officially been invited to visit Addy and David in Belize up to two weeks plus one! Who wants to go with me?!

This will be short. We started off at the Parliament. The entire time we were flanked by two men who escorted us the whole time. I'm not sure if it's to employ people or to listen to the words said by the guide. They were two big dudes. Our guide also pointed out some of the politicians who were in the building.

We then went to see St. Stephen's and were even able to see the relic of his hand. It was kind of gross. When I first heard of St. Stephen's Basilica, I thought it was the apostle, but it's actually after the king who converted he and his pagan nation to become Christians.

Then we went to the Great Market. I was actually walking in that area the day before. Pretty cool market with fruit, veggies, meats, wines, and tons of people. This guy was squeezing fresh orange juice, and it smelled so good.

I also discovered that this interesting building I saw the day before was called Cave Church.

Then we were off to Vienna!