4th Oct (Mon) - Vienna

So here I am, in Vienna. Haven't been doing anything much except chill out at Starbucks near my hotel most of the time. It's not that I don't like Vienna, but when I first arrived here yesterday, which happened to be a Sunday, all shops (including Zara, H&M and Mango) were all closed. And as I was early, I couldn't check in to change into thicker clothing and had to nestle at Starbucks, filled up my stomach a little and get warm. Boy, it was chilly out there.



When I finally checked in, I was simply too tired and went in for a nap. By the time I woke up, it was pretty much dinner time. Thank god there was a local bar/ restaurant nearby. So I ordered a platter of battered chicken, potato wedges, onion rings and cheese sticks. :) and while I was having dinner alone in one tucked away corner of the bar, one guy came up to me and asked if I will like to join them at the bar counter. I thanked him but turned down his offer politely. I was simply in no mood or conversation (just woke up) and moreover, his tone was more like 'aiyo, poor thing. Eat alone' than a pick-up line. So after downing my dinner, a coke and a hot choc drink, I headed back to the hotel and pretty much snoozed away.



Today's better and I went for a walk around. Damn chilly and the skies were grey. It looked and felt like 7pm even though it was just mid day. Went to the usual tourist hunts like Hofburg, National Bibliothek (library) and etc.



Sadly, the grand State Hall in the National Bobliothek's closed on Mondays, so no chance to see the classic grandeur for myself.

Same goes to the catacombs of Michaelerplatz. Not sure if it was opened coz I couldn't find the passage down from within the church and there wasn't anyone whom I could turn to and ask (except those people who were either praying or making confessions). But a signage outside the church did say there's a English guided tour to the catacombs every Wednesday, 3pm. So I supposed I pretty much missed my chance.



I didn't take a lot of photos in Vienna coz although it's nice, it kinda felt and looked similar to the other places that I had visited - except it's a quieter and more 'spacious' version. I'm still stuck for words on how I should describe Vienna, but one thing's for sure, if I were to ever visit again, I would do so in spring or summer and attend the concerts (I.e.: Vivaldi's Four Seasons). That would definitely be a beautiful experience.

For now, I'm just contended with sipping my cup of hot tea, or a sip of the traditional Vienna soup and have a slice of afelstrudel in a cozy cafe, looking out to the streets, the grey skies and the crowd going by.



Food mobiles were a common sight as well. I even got myself a box of Asian nudeln as well :) Not too bad for Asian "fast food". Relatively cheaper than eating in their cafes and restaurants.




P.s: It would seem that I had unwittingly booked myself into a first class night train from Verona to Vienna. There was even a cabin steward on board who gave me a bottle of mineral water when I boarded, and milk + croissant for breakfast. The bed's also a lot more comfortable Of course, all these came with a price (tag) in the ticket. Heart pain but oh well, consider it an experience and the mountain view (in dusk) made it all worth well. Maybe someday, if there's a chance, I'll visit the mountainous area in Austria instead. Breathtaking.

Btw, while I was on the train, I'd a nightmare of my camera being stolen during my sleep and my passport was swooped. And more funnily, I dreamt that in trying to get back my belongings, I stumbled into a magical land which I had to pick mushrooms or something. I think I'm too tired or stressed... Hmmmmmmm.... What a weird dream.