Vienna & knowing my way around

I arrived at the train station an hour ahead of departure time because I’m a neurotic freak.  If I even THINK I’m going to be late for something I’ve got myself spun into a cocoon of anxiety.  Even more so if I have a train or plane to catch…times that by 100 if it’s in a different city…times that by another 100 if it’s in a different country.  But, you know what they say…if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.

I had approximately 30-45 minutes before they would post what platform my train would depart from, so I grabbed a healthy juice & an Americano & stood there, watching the board.  Maybe I should go to the WC?  Ya…I’ll go to the WC.  I walk 15 steps & look back at the board…no platform posted yet…I walk another 15 steps & talk myself out of going to the bathroom because of ….something.  See?!  Neurotic.

I walked back & stood there just staring at the board when an older couple approached me, “do you speak English?”, they ask. “Yes, what can I help you with?.  It turns out that Bert & Elaine were from Victoria & going to Vienna as well.  They were trying to  out figure out the platforms & how to decipher the board that is posted in the Czech language.  I looked up their train number on their ticket, found it on the board & told them where to go…5S, as their platform was announced already.  They were taking a different train carrier to Vienna than me.  They thanked me & off they went.  Another couple approached me, “Excuse me…can you help US, figure out where we’re supposed to go?”….”Sure!” & I got them off to Budapest.  A queue started to form.  “We’re going to Dresden!”, “We’re going to Nuremberg!”.  I threw my shoulders back with an air of confidence & commanded control.  “Let me see what your train number is.  Who’s your carrier?  What time is your train leaving?”. I had a bunch of people trailing behind me once my platform number popped up on the board. I guess I looked like I knew what I was doing.   

The train ride itself was uneventful, but the seats were luxurious & roomy.  I read the entire way, stopping occasionally to look out the windows to see the Czech & then Austrian countryside fly by.  I love that the trees are deciduous here & the leaves are turning fall colours.  Fall is my favourite season & I miss going to down to my Mom’s land along the Souris River Valley for walks during autumn season. On a whim, I turned my phone on & went to Airbnb Experiences, found a nature hike in the lush Austrian woods scheduled for Friday & booked in.  It’s a 3 hour hike about an hours drive from the city.  Perfect.  I miss my walks in the English countryside so much!

When I get into Vienna & get my people (haha) organized & into taxis, etc. I call for an Uber to get me to my Airbnb. Ya.  I did it again…I cheaped out on lodgings….

Andreas opened the door to the apartment & the first thing that struck me was, “he looks just like Ichabod Crane!”…doppleganger Ichabod!  Poor man!  The apartment was lovely, very German…clean cold aesthetics & Ikea-like decor.  I had my own bathroom, thank god & after a short introduction & tour, I closed & locked my bedroom door & sighed.

Well, here I was in another European city!  Vienna!  Land of wieners!  Oh boy!

I hadn’t eaten yet & it was nearing three o’clock, so I put Stephansplatz Square into my GPS & head out to see what I could see.

Stephansplatz, is the area where every single person in the universe is.  It’s absolutely jam-packed with people, which is alarming as it’s supposedly “off season”.  I wander around & decide as a little treat I’m going to find the best, most critically acclaimed restaurant in Vienna & eat there.  See ya later a bunch of Euro!  I find a restaurant called Lugeck.  Now remember, I googled, “best restaurant Vienna”…so I’m going off Google reviews.  When I finally find Lugeck I decide I’m not hungry enough to have a full meal (too cheap!) & I order a bowl of the best soup EVAAAAA!  It’s a potato soup with caramelized onion & truffles with these super thin sliced & deep friend potato chips on top & a little zest of Parmesan cheese.  It comes with a bag of rye bread & I think I’ve hit triple diamonds with my order.

After I’m finished said soup, I just wander around & head back to Icabod.  I decide to buy a ticket to a Mozart concert that is held in a venue where Mozart himself played when he lived in Vienna in the 1700’s.  I’m pretty pumped on the concert & fall asleep with a violin concerto playing in my head. I’ve got that forest hike booked for tomorrow, but it’s suppose to be a torrential downpour here, so…