Wednesday 18 December 2024

Another crisp, clear day with no rain. We caught the tram into the clean, flat and relatively quiet central area to meet Ludwick, our Vienna Greeter for a two hour walk around the commercial and residential areas that surround the cathedral. He was a nice fellow and a retired judge, who worked on the principle that if a door is open, you go in.

This approach took us into some lovely, quiet squares and laneways; up to the roof top over looking the cathedral; down into a wine cellar and then marching past the long line of patrons waiting to get into a famous cake shop, straight to the back to smell the pastries cooking.

He also pointed out a nondescript little café that looked closed. This is where the locals eat he said. So, after the walk we went back there for a snack and enjoyed a big bowl of beef soup and pleasant but a bit stilted conversation, with the elderly advocat (lawyer) sitting at the table next to us.

We were clearly the only tourists in a packed restaurant that only takes cash and has waiters in dinner suits with big black bowties. You’d never go there unless told about it. That’s the real advantage of the International Greeters. And they’re free.

As Flashy was up at 6.30 am for a test Zoom meeting with the Major and Lady P a little frazzled because she hadn’t had her coffee this morning and she forgot her glasses, we came home for a nap. It was dark when we woke up. This means it was after 4 pm!

Refreshed, we trammed it into the big park at the Palace for the Christkrindlemarkt. This is a series of pretty good quality booths selling food and Christmas stuff and amazing lights, all around the Palace. The trees are covered in fairy lights and there are huge Christmas trees covered in hearts and all sorts of lights.

We started off with a glühwein which Lady P loves and Flashy tolerates and shared our stand up table with an American family from Atlanta Georgia. Then a walk around, people watching and having a big bratwurst in a soft bun and another delicious Gruner Vletliner, the local white wine.

There were no limits on alcohol; no drunks; no bogans and no police. A well dressed and well behaved crowd, by now noticeably getting larger.

Some in the party like this of course. Flashy had just about reached the end of his tolerance for crowds and stand up eating. So reluctantly, we head for a nice, quiet, sit down, waiter service café, for a schnitzel in a pita and a glass of GV. Can’t have too many schnitzels.

Another St Anthony in St Peters Church.

The nondescript "locals" Cafe.

The Palace lit up for Christmas.

Lights everywhere.

Sometimes, you just have to do  the 'touristy' stuff.