Wonderful Vienna

Getting out of the airport in Vienna... My new adventure has just began. Everything around me seems familiar. I am not afraid. Looking at my Google map to find out about the hotel address, I booked. 

It seems, it is easy to follow. It is long straight way ahead. Nothing more simple. 

The Sun is striking with its beams like swords. All is bright, warm, vibrant. 

Just looking around and I am in the middle of summer, in Vienna! I can hardly see any people. All I need now is food, have a wash and rest. I am passing a lot of funeral companies offering headstones for sale... Certainly, it is not a pleasant walk towards my hotel! According to the map, it should take me about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to my hotel. I can see a grocery shop. I need to drink and eat...

Finally, I'm finding myself in front of my hotel. Got in, on the first floor, opening the door to the reception and...there is no one in?! Nobody is waiting for me, welcoming...Ok, I will wait. 

I remember, that I declared to arrive at 3 pm, and now is 2.20 pm, so I need to wait. 

I approach a reception desk and I can see the piece of paper and some note on it, written by a guest: "We were waiting over one hour, couldn't wait longer, so we give you a key back, sorry..." 

A young man appears in a reception room, says 'hello' to me and sits down on a chair. I can hear his conversation in foreign language, but I can't be sure if this is in Russian or in other language. 

Perhaps, he is waiting for someone. Suddenly, he gets up and rapidly leaves the hotel. I am fed up with standing and waiting, so I sit myself down on a chair. It is nearly 3 pm. I am expecting to meet up with receptionist soon. 3 pm, no one is here yet. I just see from time to time a young woman with long dark hair coming in and going out. She looks at me like I am a stranger...She got into room next to main entrance. It is 4 pm. A young man is coming in and immediately refers to me as he clearly can see me waiting. I respond saying that 'I am waiting for check in'. He enters the room, where the young woman is and explains that I am waiting. Finally, she is coming out, saying 'sorry for your waiting' and checks me in...

I get washed and dressed, just waiting to charge my phone and I am ready to explore a piece of the city.

Walking down the long Simmering street, I notice the first object that is interesting to admire. Coming closer. What a wonderful fountain! Bringing relief from the heat. 

I take few photos of it and walk forward to see more things. 

The architecture is amazing, a bit like Paris, but different...Vienna is unrepeatable city. I can see stunning buildings, designed for culture purposes, such as concerts, meetings...theatre academy, museums, hotels, galleries. I am enchanted...

I am curious about the river, so now I am attempting to find it and take some photos.

I am not impressed by the river. It is too narrow and dominated by its surrounding.

I am heading back to hotel. Tomorrow, I am going to Kunsthistorisches Museum...

What I definitely like about this country is the fact, that every McDonald's has its own cafe room, specifically designed for cakes and coffee. You can buy a local, traditional cake such as: cheesecake or apple strudel, creamy sponge cake with fruits in jelly, tiramisu...

Today, after a long journey, breakfast in McDonald's, I find my way to Kunsthistorisches Museum.

I bought a ticket a month ago, so now this is the time to finally enter that legendary building,

that I know about from 'The Wachter's list'.

The museum is brilliant, very sophisticated. I am amused...

I'm entering the room with artworks by Peter Bruegel. I'm feeling tremors, excitement and agitation...I'm standing in front of ' The Fight Between Carnival and Lent'. 'The Babel Tower' gathers around the most of art lovers...

It was an amazing experience to be able to see those paintings. Now, it is time for the most famous cake of Europe from Sacher. The queue to the Sacher Cafe is standing out of the building, so I decide to go for a walk around and come back and check later how the situation looks like. I am lucky enough to get a table after my short walk. The cake in deed is delicious...

My God, how much did I need to go on this trip? To get rest from the all efforts and stress I had gone through the last two years...I just have to cut myself off the past...I hope to remember this moment like it lasts forever...

I pay for my cake and drinks and go back to my hotel. I order a ticket to the ZOO for tomorrow...

The oldest ZOO in Europe...

Sitting by the fountain, I am thinking about a trip to Budapest... How will it be there? Will I like it? So far I like Vienna. Some people say that Budapest is a better place that Vienna. How is it possible? I am really curious about Budapest. I have no plans for tomorrow, so maybe I should go and visit the Karl's Church and find the bus station, where my trip to Budapest starts from...That's the plan.I'm standing for the last time in front of the mirror in hotel in Vienna. Time to say goodbye Vienna. Time to leave. I am ready for Budapest...