Vienna

[pianowolfi]

The purpose really is... Weiner Schnitzel.

It has to be from the calf, really flat and thin (2-3 mm), and large. And it's originally served with a sort of Krautsalat, not with french fries.

[m1469]

I take it ALL back.  I am going to become friends with EVERY single person I meet ... hee hee.  And I am NOT eating Weiner Schnitzel if it comes from a calf ... do you mean a baby cow?  That is really sad  .  I didn't know what it actually is ... I thought it was something like a hotdog or so.


*I'm starving*

[Bob]

I didn't know it was supposed to be calf.  It's breaded beef.  Thinned out, pounded with a hammer.

[m1469]

Ah gawd, I am SO going to eat that 

[oxy60]

You can make a meatless Weiner Schnitzel. Find a neutral veggie that won't fall apart during the preparation. I've had it made with chicken, pork, veal and grass fed beef. Right now milk fed organic veal retails around $20 a pound. Most restaurants use pork. 

[emill]

You are so innocent it is refreshing. Never loose that.

It is not innocence, but likely ignorance or lack of experience.  If one earns his living in a developing, 3rd world country, the wages one earns barely is enough for basic needs and some comforts. Traveling to Europe or the US just remains a dream to most of us.
 

A German sitting next to me at a bar in Hamburg thanked me for the post-war constitution, "the best one we ever had." Another thanked me for saving his life. He was captured on North Africa commanding a German tank and spent the rest of the war in the US in a prison camp.

That is good, the wounds will eventually heal. The Germans as a people have acknowledged, accepted responsibility and repented. They have have taken definite measures to concretize their acceptance and repentance. 

Unfortunately the Japanese have never done such things when the horrors their armies have committed in Asia including my country compare in barbarity to what the NAZIs did in Europe.  Up to now, the Japanese have not truly repented. Their younger generations are taught in books that their grandfathers were forced to engage in a war not of their making. Their textbooks are totally silent on the tens of thousands of defenseless women and children they massacred. During their retreat from Manila in 1945, almost 100,000 civilians were murdered, a lot of children with women raped even when dying. They even have a special cemetery for their 2nd world war military which they honor upsetting most governments here since they were plainly war criminals.

This non-acceptance and non-repentance by the Japanese is a continuing insult and crime! 

SORRY for this, but the Japanese have a lot to learn about humanity, civility and sincerity from the Germans.

[m1469]

Well, there are some pretty horrible things that have happened in the world, some of which I sort of know, lots of which I really don't.  Hopefully humanity in general and as a whole can continue to learn from our mistakes, our differences, and also what is unifying for us.  That's obviously a challenge, and when you think about the challenge it can be in the microspectrum, like just between family members, or a certain field of art, or within a town or city, it's a wonder to think of all of humanity finding some kind of highly functioning state of existence, where if we aren't all living in "peace" (as humans think of it), we are living a higher potential as a whole.  It's tricky business.

But, I have to say, on a somewhat related note, meat has been grossing me out lately, again.  But, I know I can't cut it out of my diet completely and sometimes I just crave protein in a way that isn't truly supplied by non-meats alone.  AND, probably I will steer clear of breaded things in general ... Wiener Schnitzel doesn't seem *all* that foreign and exotic to me, other than if I ate calf ...  hmm ... which I kind of think I might never do on purpose.  I can't eat lamb, for example.  I just can't do it.  Not that I have had occasion very often, but even when I have had occasion, it's a little bit of a force to taste it.

[pianowolfi]

I didn't know it was supposed to be calf.  It's breaded beef.  Thinned out, pounded with a hammer.

It's supposed to be calf. According to the increasing EU bureaucracy (they even decide about the amount of curvature of a cucumber, and about which light bulbs we have to use... those well paid idiots) every baby cow up to 22 weeks of age can be declared as calf meat, everything above is beef. Yes thinned out and pounded with a hammer is right.

[pianowolfi]

You can make a meatless Weiner Schnitzel. Find a neutral veggie that won't fall apart during the preparation. I've had it made with chicken, pork, veal and grass fed beef. Right now milk fed organic veal retails around $20 a pound. Most restaurants use pork. 

Pork is a no go for Wiener Schnitzel.
Actually I am increasingly tending towards all those veggie products, especially because we have a really broad and *very* delicious selection of such products here in CH

[pianowolfi]

Ah gawd, I am SO going to eat that 

Me too, I love it actually, but I haven't had one for ages.

[m1469]

It is not innocence, but likely ignorance or lack of experience.  If one earns his living in a developing, 3rd world country, the wages one earns barely is enough for basic needs and some comforts. Traveling to Europe or the US just remains a dream to most of us.

Well, this IS a dream for me, actually coming true, and made possible by amazing and generous people, at a time in my life where it seems the least likely for something like this to work out and happen for me (given various circumstances of the past couple of years, especially) - AND, there are some personal prices that I am paying, as well (not just monetarily, but other stuff which I won't get into).  I think that, judging by another of your post, you say this partly on behalf of Enzo, who you wish to send somewhere for studies.  But, from my perspective, it's absolutely foreign to me the kind of support, guidance, constant praise, and seemingly endless opportunities for studies, performance, musical progress and, I believe, travel, that he has had throughout his entire growing up and musical path thus far.  This is something that I didn't have access to growing up and, even though I don't live in a 3rd world country, was unable to have in the "middle class" as my family didn't have enough money for hardly anything extra at all (and in fact had to leave a loved house after several years, unable to afford it any longer) ... at least my experience didn't include it.  So, it's a little strange for me to consider your thoughts as though my own opportunity like this is something I've been doing all my life that others are being deprived of.

[pianowolfi]

Anyway, thinking of connections and differences between Germany and Austria, (especially Vienna), I always tend to come back to Beethoven and Schubert.
The German architect of musical passion, Beethoven
The Viennese dreamer and genius Schubert.
The former is typically German to me. Though he was probably a sort of slob in daily life (I can relate, haha  ), his music is organized and proportioned throughout. Proportions of passion. He made his very successful career in Vienna. The latter, Schubert is typically Viennese to me, be it in his Waltzes and dances, be it in his particular and legendary Viennese "morbidity" (as in "Winterreise"), in his incredible transcendence (which nobody after him could ever achieve again), or in his understatement.

Schubert was one of the pall-bearers of Beethoven, and he admired Beethoven to an absolutely extreme degree, but he always went his own path.

And, don't forget Johann Strauss, The Waltz King. There's nothing more Viennese than Strauss Waltzes

[m1469]

Anyway, thinking of connections and differences between Germany and Austria, (especially Vienna), I always tend to come back to Beethoven and Schubert.
The German architect of musical passion, Beethoven
The Viennese dreamer and genius Schubert.
The former is typically German to me. Though he was probably a sort of slob in daily life (I can relate, haha  ), his music is organized and proportioned throughout. Proportions of passion. He made his very successful career in Vienna. The latter, Schubert is typically Viennese to me, be it in his Waltzes and dances, be it in his particular and legendary Viennese "morbidity" (as in "Winterreise"), in his incredible transcendence (which nobody after him could ever achieve again), or in his understatement.

Schubert was one of the pall-bearers of Beethoven, and he admired Beethoven to an absolutely extreme degree, but he always went his own path.

And, don't forget Johann Strauss, The Waltz King. There's nothing more Viennese than Strauss Waltzes

This is very fun, thank you.  It makes me feel like I'm needing to go shopping for new intellectual, emotional, and spiritual sweat pants and various other elastical waist-band attire, so I can wear those around as I am in Italy/Vienna, gorging on the experience.  It's like a person getting ready for a feast of unusual quantities ... (yikes) ... I'm going to need to stretch my music-belly WAY out for this one.  Please be gentle, this sometimes already feels like a shock to my system.

*searches for photos of those areas to orient myself*

[emill]

Well, this IS a dream for me, actually coming true, and made possible by amazing and generous people, at a time in my life where it seems the least likely for something like this to work out and happen for me (given various circumstances of the past couple of years, especially) - AND, there are some personal prices that I am paying, as well (not just monetarily, but other stuff which I won't get into).  I think that, judging by another of your post, you say this partly on behalf of Enzo, who you wish to send somewhere for studies.  But, from my perspective, it's absolutely foreign to me the kind of support, guidance, constant praise, and seemingly endless opportunities for studies, performance, musical progress and, I believe, travel, that he has had throughout his entire growing up and musical path thus far.  This is something that I didn't have access to growing up and, even though I don't live in a 3rd world country, was unable to have in the "middle class" as my family didn't have enough money for hardly anything extra at all (and in fact had to leave a loved house after several years, unable to afford it any longer) ... at least my experience didn't include it.  So, it's a little strange for me to consider your thoughts as though my own opportunity like this is something I've been doing all my life that others are being deprived of.

hello m1469,

When oxy60 posted  "The first thing you should know is that everyone everywhere only thinks about money." I responded in gist with some surprise and suggested that people can still be trusted for which he said "You are so innocent it is refreshing. Never loose that".  
That is the reason for my response -"It is not innocence, but likely ignorance or lack of experience" due to lack of travel opportunities from economic constraints if living in a 3rd world country.

Please forgive me if you felt I was suggesting something .... it was purely a statement of the reality in our country that travel is a luxury . . . and that is why I responded with ignorance and naivety about people. Never did anything else cross my mind. I understood that you were traveling on a budget but more than that it is your desire to find something about yourself, perhaps a yearning in the "Mecca" of the arts and music - Europe/Austria/Vienna.

[m1469]

hello m1469,

When oxy60 posted  "The first thing you should know is that everyone everywhere only thinks about money." I responded in gist with some surprise and suggested that people can still be trusted for which he said "You are so innocent it is refreshing. Never loose that".  
That is the reason for my response -"It is not innocence, but likely ignorance or lack of experience" due to lack of travel opportunities from economic constraints if living in a 3rd world country.

Please forgive me if you felt I was suggesting something .... it was purely a statement of the reality in our country that travel is a luxury . . . and that is why I responded with ignorance and naivety about people. Never did anything else cross my mind. I understood that you were traveling on a budget but more than that it is your desire to find something about yourself, perhaps a yearning in the "Mecca" of the arts and music - Europe/Austria/Vienna.

Okay, I get it.  I think it's time to go walk the dog in the actual out-of-doors  .

[pianowolfi]

Of course Vienna is a quite big city, and like most big cities in the world it might have some of the well known problems that go along with huge urban areas, and of course you have to be careful about your property, especially when you are taking the subway or so, and follow the usual safety precautions for urban spaces. But I think there is nothing overly dangerous about this city and the people you meet will be in all probability quite "normal" people

[oxy60]

Of course Vienna is a quite big city, and like most big cities in the world it might have some of the well known problems that go along with huge urban areas, and of course you have to be careful about your property, especially when you are taking the subway or so, and follow the usual safety precautions for urban spaces. But I think there is nothing overly dangerous about this city and the people you meet will be in all probability quite "normal" people

However, I seem to attract some of the strangest people who want to sit down across from me on the subway. These people appear to come from another era and always want to try out their English. They are harmless and I agree most of the people are rather normal.

emil: please don't get me wrong. Spending money and traveling great distances does not insure an enlightening experience. The most meaningful encounter may be next door. To quote a line from the Siegfried and Roy show (now closed) "you should look for the magic in everyday life." I would prefer to add that we should be aware of when we are in a unique situation. Too often in the hustle of everyday life we miss the uniqueness (magic) of the moment.

[m1469]

emil: please don't get me wrong. Spending money and traveling great distances does not insure an enlightening experience. The most meaningful encounter may be next door. To quote a line from the Siegfried and Roy show (now closed) "you should look for the magic in everyday life." I would prefer to add that we should be aware of when we are in a unique situation. Too often in the hustle of everyday life we miss the uniqueness (magic) of the moment.

Fundamentally, I agree, because it's always up to us personally to get the most out of our lives.  But, I've noticed that often times, the people who say what you just did comes from individuals who have traveled the world and have an enlarged perspective in that particular way, and have probably learned to appreciate wherever they are with a whole new perspective.  I have had people indicate to me over the years how lucky I am to live where I do ("believe me, I've seen this this this and this, I've lived here here here and here, and this place is great, believe me"), and I know that I am this lucky and I have often felt that very much so, over the years.  But, most of the time this comes from people who have seen amazing things, whose minds can actually imagine in very real ways what other places on earth look like, what other people look like, and who absolutely CAN NOT fathom what it's like to not be able to imagine those things ... or, to have those things seem rather like fiction, fairy tales, and imaginations alone.  I have lived here nearly my whole life, it's the center and circumference of my ideas of the world almost entirely, other than the fact that I know what it's like to look at photographs etc., and I know my teachers' towns (at least in part) and a few other places.  But, when I first started traveling to Marik's town, for example, it literally felt like I was traveling to another dimension (and was really scary for me).  So, yes, it's important to appreciate what you've got, where you are, but an enlarged perspective on what that is, exactly, never seems to hurt.

I will add that, along with the many truly wonderful things about where I live (HEY!  Everybody should come here and have a piano/music party   and see the beauty  ), one of my biggest lessons this year is in realizing that I've learned some extremely important lessons in life, precisely because I've lived here (and in the last few years have felt "forced" to stay here) for as long as I have.  It's very possible that I wouldn't have learned certain things if it were possible for me to simply run away from some of the challenges vs. growing.  That doesn't mean I want to continue having it be all that I know about life, I'm just one to really try to find the lessons I need to be learning, and that was a big one.

[m1469]

OK, I think my system is gearing in the forward direction and getting ready to embrace the smokes outta this experience.  I'm still sometimes in a state of "is this really happening?  What's happening?" ... but, we're talking 19 days until I leave and my passport should be arriving in the next week or so, so it's starting to get real!  WOOT!  I talked with a friend who apparently studied German there (as far as I can understand) and he said it's tough to practice at a University and that in order to do so, you have to ninja your way in and go unnoticed (actually his words).  He suggested a piano gallery or so, so I guess I'll be trying to figure that out and I still need to figure out trains!  

Coffee is the one thing I'm for sure going to have to have some of there (besides the fact that I generally have a cup everyday, it's also so delicious to me that I want it as a special treat) ... and along the lines of Wiener Schnitzel, I'm going to need to start thinking about what foods I will HAVE to try while I'm in these places, if any particular ones at all (I'm on a diet   so it has to be special exceptions).

[oxy60]

Don't sweat the trains. Just make a reservation in all cases where one is available. Let them do the translation of railroad German (a language within a language).

Solving food issues will not be easy. My wife says she can hold to about 50% of her desired diet. I always have in mind what I want to eat before I enter a restaurant. But I eat almost everything. We carry non sugar sweetners with us.

[m1469]

Yeah, the main thing with the trains that I need to figure out is that I have *no* clue with regard to the proximity of the station to my hotel.  And, from what I gather there is more than one station in Vienna ... that might sound like a silly quandary to have, but I honestly just don't know how it works and it's difficult for me to imagine the size of the city.  I mean, from what I understand there are multiple stations ... if I'm not misunderstanding ... and I just don't understand how to make sure I get to the station I need to get to, especially if I am reserving a ticket.  But, probably I can try to ask my hotel and stuff, which is what I need to do.

[oxy60]

When you make a reservation you will get a slip of paper with all the information you need including the name of the departing station. It's a central system and even years ago I was able to make reservations for departures from stations in other countries. (Some restrictions may apply.)

[ahinton]

Yeah, the main thing with the trains that I need to figure out is that I have *no* clue with regard to the proximity of the station to my hotel.  And, from what I gather there is more than one station in Vienna ... that might sound like a silly quandary to have, but I honestly just don't know how it works and it's difficult for me to imagine the size of the city.  I mean, from what I understand there are multiple stations ... if I'm not misunderstanding ... and I just don't understand how to make sure I get to the station I need to get to, especially if I am reserving a ticket.  But, probably I can try to ask my hotel and stuff, which is what I need to do.

You could indeed, but why not simply Google the city?

Best,

Alistair

[oxy60]

You could indeed, but why not simply Google the city?

Best,

Alistair

Google is wonderful but I have never seen a station departure schedule on Google. Things have changed very little since Sherlock Holmes. You must go to the station to look into the trains, everywhere. Of course the railway itself posts the schedule on the internet but I doubt it is in English. I doubt very few people speak railroad language and fewer yet could read a timetable.

A live international clerk at the station will make it all clear.

[m1469]

Well, I have tried finding maps and such, but I've not truly thoroughly checked it all out and bothered all of the people I can with questions  .

Anyhoo, my passport arrived yesterday!  YIP!!  YIP!!  It's starting to get even more real-feeling now, Vienna and Italy!!  I'm getting pretty excited .  I put it straight into my special drawer that is for my audition materials and now travel materials!  It's the one drawer that's organized in my whole house.

[ahinton]

Well, I have tried finding maps and such, but I've not truly thoroughly checked it all out and bothered all of the people I can with questions  .

Anyhoo, my passport arrived yesterday!  YIP!!  YIP!!  It's starting to get even more real-feeling now, Vienna and Italy!!  I'm getting pretty excited .  I put it straight into my special drawer that is for my audition materials and now travel materials!  It's the one drawer that's organized in my whole house.

OK - here's what I hope might prove to be useful pointers:
https://www.europeanrailguide.com/destinationguides/vienna/maps.html
https://www.viennadirect.com/travel/trains.php
https://www.eurail.com/trains-europe/trains-country/trains-austria
https://public-transport.net/timetabl.htm
And if that lot's not sufficient to induce touristic indigestion I'm not sure what would be!

Best,

Alistair

[m1469]

OK - here's what I hope might prove to be useful pointers:
https://www.europeanrailguide.com/destinationguides/vienna/maps.html
https://www.viennadirect.com/travel/trains.php
https://www.eurail.com/trains-europe/trains-country/trains-austria
https://public-transport.net/timetabl.htm
And if that lot's not sufficient to induce touristic indigestion I'm not sure what would be!

Best,

Alistair

Thanks, Alistair, I will check these out.  Some of it I may have already looked at but maybe not.  I even was wanting to already reserve tickets around the time that I started this thread, but I couldn't tell where/which station, besides the town in general, I would be arriving on the train from Germany.  So, even though my ticket may tell me where the train is going once I have purchased it, I kind of need to know before I purchase it  .  It's still not exactly my top priority at the moment, so I find myself not getting to it.

In any event, time to practissimo!  

[ahinton]

Thanks, Alistair, I will check these out.  Some of it I may have already looked at but maybe not.  I even was wanting to already reserve tickets around the time that I started this thread, but I couldn't tell where/which station, besides the town in general, I would be arriving on the train from Germany.  So, even though my ticket may tell me where the train is going once I have purchased it, I kind of need to know before I purchase it  .  It's still not exactly my top priority at the moment, so I find myself not getting to it.

In any event, time to practissimo!  

You're more than welcome.

"Practissimo" - I like the sound of that! I guess that I ought to do some myself, really, but having the kind of natural ability at the instrument that I possess (i.e. c.-1%) is a pretty major disincentive; in the small hours of this morning I checked through a new typeset edition of a short work of mine which has just been completed by the pianist who is scheduled to première it in an Edinburgh Festival Fringe recital on 29 August this year and, although the piece plays for only around four minutes, it must have taken me around three quarters of an hour and it felt like a couple of hours (my only stab at an excuse for which being that the piece is b****y difficult to play! - it's a kind of transcription of a Rachmaninov song - Op. 34/12)...

Best,

Alistair

[oxy60]

Those were very helpful links you posted for m1469, Alistair. I tend to not trust that sort of information. In this chaotic time changes can occur and web sites are not updated.

There is still no substitute for personal contact. The virtual world is just that...

[m1469]

https://www.europeanrailguide.com/destinationguides/vienna/maps.html

Whoa, I've only just glanced at this first one and it seems already *exactly* something I've been looking for!  I have looked at sites and maps (and not this one) but just couldn't find something that direct.  So, thank you again, very much, this is very helpful.

in the small hours of this morning I checked through a new typeset edition of a short work of mine which has just been completed by the pianist who is scheduled to première it in an Edinburgh Festival Fringe recital on 29 August this year and, although the piece plays for only around four minutes, it must have taken me around three quarters of an hour and it felt like a couple of hours (my only stab at an excuse for which being that the piece is b****y difficult to play! - it's a kind of transcription of a Rachmaninov song - Op. 34/12)...

Best,

Alistair

This seems cool .

[m1469]

Well, I was feelin' it pretty big time today  .  Still thousands to do before I go.  I felt a bit overwhelmed by what sometimes seems will be the newness of it all ... and it's already very much so promoting growth and the growth is going to need to continue, too, I know.  It's like I'm becoming a different person from the inside out.  It's causing me to clarify perspectives on life and of the world, and of people and myself.  

But, I realize that the newness is part of exactly what I want and deeply feel I need.  I also want to know myself and certain characteristics of myself more clearly which are part of the experience overall.  Also, I realized that the idea of going into some foreign-seeming place on my own, it's kind of like walking up to an unfamiliar piano and needing to perform.  Somehow that's a bit how it feels.  There is something familiar, yet it's like a slightly different form of the same language you already speak ... like a dialect, and even though I don't actually speak languages, sometimes I can understand people.  I know cultures vary, but also people are people and it's possible to feel who they are - and, I think I will need to turn that sensory way up.

And, somehow, if I imagine myself inwardly as a dancing ballerina onto the plane, off of the plane, onto the trains off of the trains, onto the stages, off of the stages, while I'm walking, while I'm sitting, just basically always being a ballerina, it makes me feel more calm. 

*starts sprinting to the departure line*  ... two weeks from yesterday.

[oxy60]

We've all been speaking about "when" you get there.

I don't know how much you've flown around the US recently, but getting on a plane on time, is not what it was. At one point in the past I could be at the boarding gate 30 minutes after leaving my house. Now I need to leave 2 hours to get there and have no time to spare!

From airport hotels I'm on the shuttle 3 hours before flight time.

[m1469]

Yeah, there's International airport travel which I will be learning about, and also, I feel like I don't know how to pack for being gone for so long and for multiple needs.  And I don't have a weekend between now and then ... so I'm starting to feel pretty antsy.  Do I need an entire suitcase just for underroos?  That is a burning question that has been rolling around in my being.

[m1469]

In one tiny week from today, I will leave.

[oxy60]

At least you won't need to bring your own toilet paper! (That's how it was in Spain in recent memory...)

[m1469]

That's it!  I'm packing *at least* one TP roll!  Es muy importante, yo pienso ...

[oxy60]

"Be prepared, it's the Boy Scouts marching song..."

[Bob]

Good luck.

... with the concert stuff I mean.

[m1469]

Thanks!  My first public performance is July 12th, I believe, and guess who is the pianist I will be singing with?  Wolf-amatic!!  That's Pianowolfi, in case it wasn't clear.  

I have finally booked my night in Germany (which took hours to find the right-for-me thing) for on the way back in a place that advertises as having a piano ... YIP ... and next on my list, truly next, is trains, which I am going to figure out TO-DAY, with help from the links that Alistair posted.  I have even started packing and figuring out my performance attire was smoother than I thought it might be.  In one week from right now, I will actually be there, walking around ... or sleeping ... hee hee.  I actually have Munich and Vienna on my phone's weather reader and I put them on the world clock on my phone, too (but it turns out they are the same).  I also need to figure more out about how the phone situation is going to work (and I think I need to figure out about travelers checks), because for three weeks in Italy, using the computer is pretty limited, I guess.  

[m1469]

Oh, and I've found out something about my hotel in Vienna ... I guess it's near a large outdoor market!  I LOVE outdoor markets.  I'm really excited about that, YIP!

[littletune]

Thanks!  My first public performance is July 12th, I believe, and guess who is the pianist I will be singing with?  Wolf-amatic!!  That's Pianowolfi, in case it wasn't clear.  

What what?? you will play and sing together?? you and Wolfi?? really? ohhhhhhhhhhhh that is soooooooooo cool!!!!!!!!   

[Bob]

How did you end up with this specific festival?  Is it by invitation or for pay?  You pay them, not they pay you?

[pianowolfi]

What what?? you will play and sing together?? you and Wolfi?? really? ohhhhhhhhhhhh that is soooooooooo cool!!!!!!!!   

Yeah it's very cool! It will be soooo much fun!! I am grateful for this opportunity!

[oxy60]

There are more Wi-Fi hotspots put up every day. Some are free. Others you might need to buy some time and others are included with your drink, meal or room. Just ask for the password when you order/check in.

The connections are not as slow as on cruise ships but seldom as fast as your home/office cable here in the US.

[m1469]

What what?? you will play and sing together?? you and Wolfi?? really? ohhhhhhhhhhhh that is soooooooooo cool!!!!!!!!    

Yep!  As Wolfi mentioned, I also am grateful!  It will be fun .  He is also picking me up in Innsbruck on our way to the Festival in Italy!

How did you end up with this specific festival?  Is it by invitation or for pay?  You pay them, not they pay you?

Marik is teaching there.  I am going as a student, and as with all things that students do (at least in many cases), yes, the student pays to participate.  However, it would not have been possible for me had some very generous and wonderful people not supported this endeavor for me.

There are more Wi-Fi hotspots put up every day. Some are free. Others you might need to buy some time and others are included with your drink, meal or room. Just ask for the password when you order/check in.

The connections are not as slow as on cruise ships but seldom as fast as your home/office cable here in the US.

I'm slowly getting the phone situation on track ... with the help of others ... hee hee.  My hotel in Vienna has free wi-fi, so that's a plus regarding keeping people posted on the experience (my current phone can use that, I guess, and whatever other wi-fi spots I can find and would want to use).  

My big discovery with the trains yesterday was that each of the four main stations in Vienna put me at about the same distance in one way or another, from my hotel.  I think I know which one to get off on, too!  And then, I'll take the Ubahn ... thingy majigger ... and then walk and roll myself down the way to my hotel.  Ok, I *might* take a taxi from the train station, since I'll have luggage.  But, I *think* I'm going to get away with one suitcase, a backpack of carry on size, and another carry on, shoulder bag of some sort.  I still need to find a secret purse thing, too, that you wear under your clothes or something like that.

[m1469]

Man, there's pretty much no end to things I'm needing to get organized and sorted out before I go.  And the plane leaves whether I'm ready or not ... eek!  OK, but it will be gooood, goood, good  .  YIPpy kai eh!  

Here is one thing I've realized I want to do in Vienna ... I want badly, BADLY, to go to a library.  An old, HUGE library.  And, I need to see art ... I want to see history, SO much history.  Sometimes I can't believe it, OK?  Would you like to know something?  I used to be a library aid ... hee hee.  I liked libraries so much, and I liked putting books back on the shelves ... haha.  I suddenly ache for an amazing library.  I mean one that has a smell ... like books, old books, and like knowledge and smart, lots of knowledge and smart.  I want to see some kind of library that I can't see in the US.  

[pianowolfi]

Man, there's pretty much no end to things I'm needing to get organized and sorted out before I go.  And the plane leaves whether I'm ready or not ... eek!  OK, but it will be gooood, goood, good  .  YIPpy kai eh!  

Here is one thing I've realized I want to do in Vienna ... I want badly, BADLY, to go to a library.  An old, HUGE library.  And, I need to see art ... I want to see history, SO much history.  Sometimes I can't believe it, OK?  Would you like to know something?  I used to be a library aid ... hee hee.  I liked libraries so much, and I liked putting books back on the shelves ... haha.  I suddenly ache for an amazing library.  I mean one that has a smell ... like books, old books, and like knowledge and smart, lots of knowledge and smart.  I want to see some kind of library that I can't see in the US.  

https://www.onb.ac.at/ev/collections.htm

https://www.onb.ac.at/ev/collections/music.htm

https://bibliothek.univie.ac.at/main_library/

https://www.wienbibliothek.at/english/index.html

https://www.a-wgm.com/main/main.htm



Unfortunately there's no English version of the latter, the music library. Let me know if you have questions.

[m1469]

Thank you, Wolfi!  I'm still slogging through stuff, I did check out the links though.  That might be something that waits until I'm there.

One next thing that I figured out about the trains is that it actually only gives one option of where to get off on in Vienna ... haha.  BUT, I only understand that now because I read the names of the train stations on the link you put up, Alistair.  So, I *suppose* it will be obvious when to get up.  


*looks at tickets and does army time conversions*

[ahinton]

Thank you, Wolfi!  I'm still slogging through stuff, I did check out the links though.  That might be something that waits until I'm there.

One next thing that I figured out about the trains is that it actually only gives one option of where to get off on in Vienna ... haha.  BUT, I only understand that now because I read the names of the train stations on the link you put up, Alistair.  So, I *suppose* it will be obvious when to get up.  


*looks at tickets and does army time conversions*

Just m1469 your way through it all; you'll be fine!

Best,

Alistair

[oxy60]

Thank you, Wolfi!  I'm still slogging through stuff, I did check out the links though.  That might be something that waits until I'm there.

One next thing that I figured out about the trains is that it actually only gives one option of where to get off on in Vienna ... haha.  BUT, I only understand that now because I read the names of the train stations on the link you put up, Alistair.  So, I *suppose* it will be obvious when to get up.  


*looks at tickets and does army time conversions*

Worry less, enjoy more and have a great time!