TravelStream™ news feed for member rodine.isfeld on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/rodine.isfeld en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:37:02 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219392600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219392600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219392600/tpod.html Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:37:02 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Pernitz, Austria

Our trip into the mountains was spectacular!!!   The Autobahn wasn't all that impressive and I found it interesting that I used to think we traveled so fast on it, but I drive like that when I head out to the lake!  I guess the difference is that, here, it's legal!!!  LOL  Once we got onto the regular roads, I was like a dog.... hanging my head out the window and snapping pictures... I did not, however, stick my tongue out, drool or bark at other cars!  We went up into the mountain range known as The Semmering, which is south-west from Guntramsdorf.  This is one of the places that hosts World Cup racing and this year they're hosting at the end of December.  I would love to come back at Christmas and go skiing!  The pictures I got of the one slope make it look so innocent and harmless, but my Aunt told me it's considered a Black Diamond run and she wouldn't ski it!  The little villages and alpine cottages (homes) scattered here and there are like little elves playing hide-and-seek!.  With some, you only catch a glimpse... some hang off the sides of the mountains while others are nestled amidst the pines... and each turn in the road revealed another surprise!  I've never lived in the mountains and I can't remember the last time I was even near real mountains, so my point of reference is pretty limited, but WOW!!!!   Those roads we drove on were so narrow, it was insane!  There really is barely enough room for one car, never mind two... passing each other!  Truly, only idiots would drive like Mario Andretti up there!  We stopped at two Gasthauses... one for lunch and one for beer!  At one, they were delivering beer and Hannes joked around about it being an ambulance.... I thought that was pretty funny!  I also had my first Schnitzel of the trip.... followed by another that night for supper!  They are sooooo yummy!!!  The best part is that someone else makes them!!!  :-) Getting a cup of coffee with cream was an impossibility, though!  Who knew that something as simple as that would be difficult?  It's like trying to get vinegar for your fries... not a guaranteed thing at all!We topped off the day by going to local 'community club' for an Irish night!  Barb's friends met us there and we had a blast... followed up by more wine and song at Cookie and Peter's place.  Super nice people and a very enjoyable evening.Ahhhhh... here's the highlight of my day... I can now drive here!  Got my driving papers which now means that I can tour the countryside... and get lost.... just like I do at home!!!  This should be a blast and I'm thinking that if the other people on the road knew I was a novice, they'd be sure to stay out of my way!  Hannes has a GPS in the car (that speaks English) and all I hope is that it's pre-programmed for shoe stores!!!  LOLSo, now I have to go and pick up my Oma.... she's been waiting for a few hours (we had to go shopping first) and she will be madder than you-know-what!   She and I are driving out to Neuseidl Am See... well I'm driving and I'm sure she'll be yelling and having heart attacks beside me.  When it comes to giving directions, there is only one tone... screaming!  A tad distracting, but I guess I'll get used to it!  Later, Everyone!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219043460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219043460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219043460/tpod.html Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:34:22 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Guntramsdorf, Austria

Ahhhhh... Airports!  The first step in any adventure!  I happen to love them and for this trip, I walked through all the checkpoints with this huge grin on my face the whole time!  I even had security guards and customs agents smiling and joking around!  Can you believe it?  Most importantly, my shoes got raves from one of the guards and she and I both agreed that Winners is THE best place to shop!  LOLMade friends with a couple from Puerto Rico in the ticket line in WPG and now have an invite to go stay with them!  They were so nice and they were happy to 'look out' for me!  Was 'displaced' from my seat heading to Chicago and did a bit of a 'musical seat' thing that eventually had half the plane laughing like crazy!  I'd try to sit, and then have to move for the rightful owner.  There were a bunch of businessmen on the plane (some of whom I briefly sat beside) and the jokes that started flying were hilarious!  When I finally ended up in a seat (after everyone had boarded) one guy commented that I must be happy to not feel like a salmon anymore, I said yes and then another guy pipes up with "Just you wait... halfway through the flight, they're going to call 'snowball' ... and then you'll be in trouble!"  I looked at him and said " Wait a minute... it didn't tell me that on my ticket!"  Everyone laughed... even the folks at the back of the plane were laughing by this time!  The transfers went smoothly, the flights were fine, the wine was free (YAHOO) but I still CANNOT sleep on planes!  I was only awake for 30 hours straight this time... better than last time!  So, everyone.... I am here, I am safe and I'm off to get my Oma and go shopping!  Tune in later for updates on stinky cheese, stinky feet and toilets!  I'm not kidding!  Really!   Come back... You'll love it!Ciao,R
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219783740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219783740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219783740/tpod.html Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:10:17 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Vienna, Austria

Today was a fantastic day!!!  We picked up my Oma and drove up into the mountains by Vienna... and the views were spectacular!  I may have given myself whiplash from frantically trying to see everything around me!  I'd jump from one side of the car to the óther trying to get pictures of as much as I could.  I'd admire something on the right side, only to then have something on the left side catch my eye!  It was crazy but so much fun.  I think my Oma really enjoyed herself, too!  We drove back home through Vienna and I set the camera to the 'action' setting and snapped away like a fool!  I did get some nice shots and I've become darn good at taking pictures out of windows of moving vehicles!  I'm sure this newly acquired talent that will serve me well!  It impresses me, that's for sure!  LOLThen it was off to IKEA for gravy.... yes, you read right... gravy!  It's awesome and I know a few people who love it and are probably out if it, so I should be able to hawk it to them for outrageous amounts of money!  LOL  I think the coolest part about that stop was that I ended up as the new cover girl for their new catalogue!  Don't ask me how that happened, but it certainly thrilled me!  Don't believe me?  Check out the pic!  Now Oma and Hannes are resting and I'm updating all of you!  I believe we're going to the Danube Tower tonight so I can see all of Vienna dressed up it's lights and finery!  I'm sure that will be as stunning as everything else has been.  Considering it's my last night, I think it's a great way for me to say good bye to a part of this world that holds so many of my favourite people, incredible views, beautiful architecture and continues to be a place where I get to create so many wonderful memories!  I'm going to miss it..... all of it!  Sniff!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219675380/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219675380/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219675380/tpod.html Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:56:15 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Vienna, Austria

Last night, we went and met up with my cousin Wolfgang, his wife Ushi and his Mom and Dad, my Tante Christl und Onkle Peperl.  We went to the heurigen that Rebecca (their daughter) wor at.  It was nice to get to see her, even though it was only for short stints as she was serving us.  My Aunt and Uncle look amazing for their ages... in their 80's... and they're quite a comical couple.  I didn't always understand what was being said, but I got the gist of most things and they're pretty witty!  Today, I'm going to cook dinner... I figure it's the least I can do for all my Aunt and Uncle's fantastic hospitality!  I think they chose pasta with home-made Alfredo sauce, salad and garlic bread!  One of my favourites!  I'll have to run to the store and see if I can get everything I need... I can't see a problem, but who knows!  Hannes' father and brother are coming for a visit, as well, so that will be nice.  We'll also have Oma here, which she will like because she won't have to worry about cooking!  I just hope she likes what I'm going to cook!  Yikes!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219603680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219603680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219603680/tpod.html Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:00:49 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Vienna, Austria

I am happy to report that I took that annoying, little beast named Whiskey for a speed walk and I must say, I feel sooooo much better!  I was walking at a breakneck pace and jogging for little stretches and the poor, wee creature had to run to keep up!  She's used to doing one loop around, so when I started on the second, she gave me a quizzical look and then took off after me!  I think I might have tired her out just a bit... right now she's sleeping at my feet!  There are these little snails that line the walking path in the morning and evenings, and they are the weirdest looking critters!  They're called "naked" snails because they don't have any shells... but they are snails!  I had no idea what they were because they look like.... well.... animal poo!  I certainly didn't know that these things were alive, I just thought that people let their dogs go all over the place and then didn't bother to clean it up!  lol  My Aunt was the one who pointed them out and explained what they were!  I'm going to have to get some pictures because they are quite neat... although I still wouldn't want any of them on the bottom of my shoe!After that, I did the mundane things that, in my opinion, should rightfully be forgotten but cannot be avoided if you are a good guest.  Dishes, sweeping, washing floors, cleaning up dog poo (my all time, personal favourite) laundry (mine) and waiting patiently for my hosts to arrive home from their conference!I've just come in from the gazebo where I was reading my newest Conde Naste Traveller magazine (a little ritual I have when I travel....it's the only time I ever buy them) which happens to have an article on the Amalfi Coast!  Does that surprise anyone????  It won't if you know me well.... actually it'll make you roll your eyes and laugh!  I haven't even left Austira and I'm already in Italy!!!  I guess I'd better practice being carb "friendly" or I'm going to die! Everytime I look around, I am truly stunned by the views.  I do find it odd that, even though I know we have the same type of scenery in Canada, what I've seen never seems to be as stunning as it is here!  It might simply be that I haven't seen enough of Canada to have any previous images compete with the vistas I'm seeing now.  I know I'd be hard pressed to find identical, physical structures, but we must have countryside that easily rivals what they have here!  I guess I'll have to add Canadian destination to my upcoming, travel itinerary.  It's actually pretty sad to be as ignorant of what my own homeland offers, hmmm?  Bay of Fundy, anyone???I've had my "German ears" back for several days now, but I'm still not speaking as much as I'm capable of.  I'm surprised at how much I still understand, but far to affraid of becoming known as the local 'butcher' to do much speaking.  I know that's the best way to learn, but I'm shy that way!  Most of my German has been learned by ear but I also want to know how the word is spelled, not just enuciated, so that when I come across it elsewhere, I'll know what it is.  When I'm speaking or listening, I'm not just focussing on the sound but also on what it looks like!  My Aunt said if she spoke German like that, she wouldn't speak much, either... she'd be too exhausted!  I'm like a closet-German-speaker........ the dog knows how well I can do it!  :-)Now that I have made such a big stink about this eating thing.... I'm craving schnitzel.... nothing else..... just schnitzel!  Too funny!  Barb and Hannes are home, Whiskey is happy, Gregor left and I've just been told that we're going to a heurigen and that means I can have............ SCHNITZEL!  My prayers have been answered!  (I know what y'all thought, but my prayers have gotten pretty simple, lately!)  Later, Gaters!!!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219582440/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219582440/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219582440/tpod.html Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:02:44 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Vienna, Austria

The day began at Oma's wating for our relatives to pick us up.  Oma has a very nice, little appartment, and she has the cutest cat!  Sheila is her name, and as you can see by the pictures, she looks like one of those little furballs form the toliet paper add!  She has the sweetest littel face and you just want to pick her up and cuddle her... but DO NOT BE FOOLED!!!!  Behind that facade lies the personality of demon staight from hell with some serious PMS!  That thing will rip you to pieces if you get within 10 inches of her!  Hissing, spitting, growling... Hannes had to use a broom handle, once, to get her off the back of the tiolet so I could use it!!!  Can you imagine?  Poke, poke, poke...Ok she`s on the move....quick!!!!!!  Get out of the way!!!!!  RUN!!!!!!!So, today, she started a love-in with my purse... when I went to get my camera out (thinking she was far enough away and I was safe), she went to attack my hand!  She's nuts!  Then again, who am I to talk... I have a cat that attacks the mailman, so....We needed to change our travel plans from Hungary to Neusiedler See, which is the lake that boarders Austria and Hungary.  Neudiedler See is only 36Kms long and 12KMs at it's widest point.  It's also a shallow lake, like Lake Winnipeg, so the water is pretty brown because the sediment and sand are always disturbed.  There is a tall grass that grows on the shore and driving in, it reminded me of a cross the prairies, with wheat blowing in the wind, and the marsh!  Very neat!  This grass is actually used to make the thatched roofs on some of the buildings.  I used to think it was so cool that when you looked across the lake, the land you saw on the other side actually belonged to another country!  When we looked across the lake, all we saw was Grand Beach!  lol  My cousins from my Oma's side, Rita and Herbert, came to meet me and joined us on this trip.  I was very happy, because Herbert did all the driving, bless his soul!  I'm not sure Oma and I would have survived that experience by ourselves...my driving would be fine, but she makes Hyacinth Bucket look like a saint!  (Hyacinth represents the worst of all backseat drivers!!!!)  There are no calm reactions from Oma and she gives you a play by play of how and when to turn the steering wheel AS you're driving!  Then, if she feels a need, she'll bark at you to watch out for some thing or other!  It didn't seem to phase Herbert, but for me it would have ended in disaster! The countryside was breathtaking and we were driving through the region know as Burgenland.  Our first stop was in Eisenstadt for a quick look at Castle Esterhauzy, where Haydn played for many years.  A completely deceptive building in the centre of town... no turrets or fanfare, but still beautiful.  Me, being me, thought the neatest architechtural feature were the corner downspouts on the roof!  They're made from copper and I've never seen (or at least noticed to this point) any like them. The next town on our agenda was St. Margharethen, which is a limestone quarry AND one of my favourite stops (from then and now) because I got to buy crystals!  I picked up some souvenirs and some jewelry, so it made me happy.  On the not so happy side, the opera, La Traviata, (which is what the movie "Pretty Woman" was based on) was being performed that night in the quarry itself and I would have LOVED to have seen it!  Imagine the music and the setting????  It would have been remarkable...maybe I can go tonight!  :-)Rust was next... a city right on the lake that is famous for it's storks.  The mythology of storks is that if they built a nest on your roof, you could expect a new addtion to the family and we're all familiar with the image of a stork flying with a baby-filled blanket.  Rita told me that the male storks do the deliveries because the females are always too busy yakking!  LOL I know that there are a few guys out there who will agree, but my theory is that the females are too busy with jobs and kids and cooking and cleaning and tutoring.. to have the time or the energy to accomplish deliveries, too!  :-)We went into this amazing 'Gallery' owned by the artists.  It was in an old house (yes, I realize how stupid that statemant is) with a courtyard and it was full of their art.  I'm assuming they were a couple and his art was on the lower floor and hers was on the upper level.  There were paintings, glass works, iron garden sculptures, antique furniture... the whole gamut!  They also had Jewelry and other goodies in a basement-type space.  There was also an old wine press in this room which I thought was neat!  I loved the juxtaposition between this ancient space (which represented for me the simpler things) which is full of modern art (some of it was so realistic (photo real) and detailed)... I found that this space really appealed to me and when I have my own gallery, I think I'm going to base it on this design layout.  It was fantastic!  After that was Möbische for.... let's see, can you guess?  If you said coffee, then you'd be correct!   A trip to the lake shore and then back home for... drum roll please.... yup, dinner at a Heurigen!  I was actually on a fast, so thankfully I did not suffer from any ill effects of this day of what felt almost like frenetic eating!  I haven't figured out if the expression "eat to live" or "live to eat" applies here....I know for sure that with my Oma it's "love to eat".  Granted, she lives by herself and we know there's not a lot of joy in cooking/eating for one and it's difficult for her.... so I understand how a day trip can easily become a trip about getting from one eatery to the next. It seemed to me, that by the end of the day, our journey was really more about eating with a bit of sightseeing thrown in just to make all the driving seem worth it!  We all know that I have some hard limits on what I can possibly consume or even want to consume in a day, and this has been the biggest adjustment for me!  I have eaten so much (for me) this past week... I mean, let's face it, I haven't met a schnitzel that I didn't fall in love with!  BUT:::::::::  Finding a regular type of salad is hard and I'm starting to have dreams of slathering my body in Ceasar dressing and rolling in a big bowl of mixed greens!  How's that for demented???   I am aslo suffering from excercise withdrawl.  I miss doing laps, I miss walking, I miss the option of the gym!  I can walk, but until today, I haven't had the time to even get a good hoof in!  So, I am relishing putting on my headphones and walking my ass off....literally!  I feel like I've gained about 900 pounds which has put me in a decidedly foul mood!  I need to go blow off some stink and then I know I'll feel soooo much better!Today I will visit an Aunt and Uncle that have actually stayed at my house!  I loved having them and I look forward to seeing them again!  Their daughter and Raine got along well, too, and I can't wait to see how much she's changed!  There will be food and beer and wine... I may still have to bypass some of the eatables out of sheer terror that my poor body will end up in some bizzarre state of carbohydrate induced seizure!  I'm such a suck, aren't I?   Of course, you've noticed that I've never refused a beer or a glass of wine, right?  Where else would I get my fruit servings from???   (and yes, I'm pretty sure hops are a fruit... but they may be considered veggies, I'm not sure!)  LOLThat's all for now, folks... I need to walk and I also have a puppy dog with me who has been sadly neglected (Mommy and Daddy have been away all weekend) and she wants some attention, too!  Right now she's scratching at my back and then licking my armpit... does this mean she needs to go pee?  :-)  Love you all!!!!! 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219444800/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219444800/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219444800/tpod.html Sat, 23 Aug 2008 13:48:25 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Well, it's official.... I have now driven in Austria!  I have to tell you that so far, I LIKE IT!!!!  It's too fun... but boy do you have to pay attention.  It's even more important that I do because I'm not used to the signs, rules of the road, etc.  I can't wait to tackle my first roundabout!!!   Which, by the way, will be happening tomorrow.... as it turns out, I'M the one who's driving to Hungary!  Holy CRAP.... Autobahn, here I come!!!  Can you all see the big smile on my face????  I know some of you can... and some of you crazy buggers (Tyna) are wishing you could be coming with me!  Fess up, Tyna.... you know how much fun you'd have!  Like a carnival ride but much, much safer!  LolSo, my first trip was to go and get my Oma... and my second trip was to go back to my Aunts place to get the keys I forgot... and the third trip was back to Oma's place!  Nothing like practice!  After all that excitement I had to go have a coffee... this one was heaven on my lips.... OMG it was sooooo good!!!  This Kafe/Bakery makes the nicest pastries!  Just look at the little marzipan figures.... those are made by hand... isn't that amazing????   I think I'll have to bring some home for the kids!!!  Oma said the cake she had was delicious, too!  Oh Tyna.... I have an interesting story to share with you!  My Oma and I went walking through the town this afternoon (well, I did the walking and pushed her wheelchair.... great exercises....whew!!!!) and then went for dinner and she was talking about when they used to own the Bakery.  On her first delivery out to Nana and Grampa's, you (about 2-3 years old) wanted to go with her, so you jumped in her car and wouldn't get out!!!!  Your Mom had to get into the car with you and go with Oma to finish her deliveries!  Isn't that cute????  Oma was laughing so hard and saying "that little one... boy she knew what she wanted and she was coming with me!!!!"Now I have to say 'good bye' for now, go get ready because Hannes and Barb will be here soon to pick me up... we're off to see the firefighter's something-or-other..... no clue!  Should be fun, Though!!!  Have a good night/day everyone!!!Hugs!!!!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219264920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219264920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219264920/tpod.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:09:40 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Wiener Neustadt, Austria

The weather was cooler today and my Aunt was ill, so my Uncle and I did a tour of the wine country right around where they live, which incidentally, is the view we have from their place... and the view I enjoy as we walk the dog at night!  It's so cool that we are surrounded by vineyards and that 'regular' people can grow grapes, too.  I'm so used to Canada where the whole wine making process is so far removed from me that the closest I get to a vineyard is a trip to the LC.  My Aunt's friend has a house in Hungary that has several acres of grapes, but they're too busy to tend the grapes... I told her I'd love to learn how to do that and then make wine!  Can you imagine?????  Me????  How perfect is that!!!The towns and cities here seem to blend into one another and the streets are narrow and literally weave themselves like snakes through the landscapes.  This is so different from home that I'm still confused about how to get from here to my Oma's house... and it's only 5 minutes away!  I'd love to be driving, but you all know what a chicken I am when it comes to getting lost and I can guarantee that I would be hopelessly so by the time I got to the end of the block!  Due to the sheer volume of traffic, the roads are incredibly well designed with the sole purpose being to keep everything flowing!  There are rarely any four way stops or stop signs and the reason is that it would be utter stupidity to make people stop like that!!!  Drivers would kill each other in no time!  What they have, instead, are 'roundabouts'.... when you come to an intersection, you merge (and YES, they know how to do that properly here) to the right and then merge (right again) onto your needed exit.  It's amazing how easy this is and how effective it is.  I wonder why we can't do that?  Oh yeah... we might need to teach people how to merge, first!!!  lolOur walk through Baden was very nice.  It was more of a casual stroll and I even tried on some clothes!  We stopped at my Uncles favourite ice cream shop and I actually had a pistachio ice cream cone... will wonders never cease?  It was delicious!  Wiener Neustadt is the city that we stayed in when Raine and I were here 20 years ago... and boy has it changed!  Aside from the historical landmarks, I barely recognized a thing!  It seems like it's doubled in size and it's matured... it used to be a little rushed and dirty and now it feels calmer... and it' definitely cleaner.  We stopped at my old stomping grounds (the places I stayed, not the bars!) and saw Oma's old apartment.  We even went out to where Frankie has his place... last time I was there, his was a brand new building with nothing around it.  Now it's a whole development!  Crazy!  It was pretty neat to get a look at the view I used to enjoy of Schneeberg Mountain (the highest mountain in lower Austria).  Ahhh.... memories!  :-)Now here I sit... contemplating a nap.... I think that sounds pretty good!  Talk to you all later!  Hugs!!!! 
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219236660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219236660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219236660/tpod.html Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:33:28 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Vienna, Vienna, Austria

The city of Vienna is absolutely breathtaking and, of course, you know how much I love the architecture!  There's something about buildings that are several hundred years old that intrigue me... their stories, their energy, their mysteries!  My Uncle works downtown and so he was the best tour guide anyone could possibly want!  We parked at his work and walked.... and walked..... and walked!  I think we were on our feet for 3 hours!  My new shoes broke my feet in and the blisters are still huge!  Not to worry... it was well worth every bandaide!I lifted the following excerpts from Wikipedia and AboutVienna.org.... it explains the layout of the city centre and gives you an idea of most of the ground we covered.  "The 'old town', or city centre, is the first district, with Stephansdom and Stephansplatz at the centre of a bullseye. It is encircled by the Ringstraße [Ring Street], a grand boulevard constructed along the old city walls.  Vienna Ring Boulevard is 4 kilometres long and circles the city centre. The construction of the Ring Boulevard was initiated by Emperor Franz Joseph I in December 1857.  The magnificent road was errected on the free space, which emerged after tearing down the former city walls, glacis and military enforcements protecting the city center, today's first district ('Innere Stadt'). By this the emperor hoped to overcome the separation of city center and the suburbs, which had officially become part of Vienna in 1850. Ring boulevard was generously planned, leaving sufficient space for a shaded avenue and monumental buildings like Hofburg, Austrian Parliament, State Opera House, Museum of Fine Arts, the first public observatory Urania and Vienna university among others.Even though most buildings have been planned and build at pretty much the same time, their styles vary strongly. This mix of archiectural styles is often referred to as 'Ringstrassenstil' and takes its principles from Historicism. Various styles were copied to underline the function of the buildings: the Museum of Fine Arts and its counterpart the Museum of Natural History were built to resemble Italian Renaissance, so was the Vienna Opera House. Parliament echos Greek classicism as this was the epoch of the birth of democracy. The Ring Boulevard was ceremonously inaugurated on 1st May in 1865 and is one of the biggest and most beautiful boulevards of its kind.Districts 2-9 are gathered within the Gürtel ('belt') Road, which encircles the Ringstraße like an outer belt. Along this outer 'belt' road, you can find the Prater (amusement) park, the hip quarters of the second district (close to Schwedenplatz), Westbahnhof - a major national & international railway terminus - from which leads the major shopping street Mariahilfer Straße eastwards to the inner city, the Hundertwasserhaus and the Hundertwasser Kunsthaus. Outside the 'belt' road stand the Donauturm [Danube Tower], the Belvedere Palace, and Schönbrunn Palace, which is the most visited tourist attraction and deservedly so. It was placed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List in 1996."Now... in most European countries it is impossible to swing a cat without hitting a church of some sort, and Austria is no different!  Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral) is Austria's most famous church.  It was constructed in 1147 A.D. and is 137 m at its highest point.  Duke Rudolf IV of Habsburg ordered the complete restructuring of the church in Gothic style and in 1359, he laid the cornerstone of the nave with its two aisles. The South Tower, was completed in 1433. The cathedral has two very impressive features: The gigantic roof, and the tall, lean tower (136,7 metres of hight). One can find only few gothic towers of such height that were finished in the Middle Ages. Inside the Cathedral there are many art treasures like the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1754), the Altarpiece of Wiener Neustadt, the pulpit by Anton Pilgram (1514-15), the sepulcher of Emperor Frederik III by Niclas Gerhaert (1467-1513), the watchman`s lookout, a self portrait of the sculptor, and the Gothic winged altar.The sound of the 'Pummerin', the cathedrals big bell, is used to celebrate New Year in Austria.  (info from AboutVienna.org)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219050000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219050000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/rodine.isfeld/1/1219050000/tpod.html Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:25:44 -0400 Austria Revisited! August 2008

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Guntramsdorf, Austria

Ahhh... so you couldn't stay away, hmmm?  It must be becasue you're dying of curiousity!  One of the things I noticed the last time I was here was that Austrians seem to have the stinkiest feet you could ever imagine!  I had forgotten that until I was sitting in the airport at Dusseldorf and was assaulted by the very smell that used to make me gag!  I didn't gag this time, but my eyes sure watered!  If you can imagine the aroma of the nastiest smelling cheese, stale beer and old cabbage, you'll be close!  I used to think it was simply because of all the stinky meat and cheeses that they eat... along with the beer... but I have been unsuccessful at unravelling the mystery!  OK... let's be real... I can't say I've really invested even one minute in actually testing the theory...  Yuk! Now I know this is very strange, but I find 'bathrooms of the world' bizzarely fascinating!  Specifically the toilets.  I don't know why, and I'm sure there's medication I can take for this, but...  Over here, the toilets have a feature that I don't understand and that I've never asked for clarification on... a shelf!  No kidding!   A shelf!  This shelf sits much higher than the bottom of our bowls and creates a whole new toilet-going experience.  I'll spare you all... don't worry... no pictures!!!     hahahaToday's travels went no farther than the mall.  Not very different from ours, the clothes are similar but the shoes are a whole other story!!!  Oh My!!!!  They have some of the funkiest shoes and boots I have ever seen!  I am also happy to report that I have, indeed, begun my 'European Shoe Collection'... like you had any doubt?  :-)  I'm wearing them right now, as a matter of fact!One of the other things I noticed and really like is that the people here are so friendly!  I'm in a town of about 10,000 people and even if you're driving,  people will usually wave (including people in their yards).  SO... I'm waving  'HI' to all of you right now!  Tomorrow I'm going to Vienna for a hike... that will be fun!  Sleep well, all!!!  Talk to you tomorrow!
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