Vienna. Something else than only Mozart.

Vienna was a surprise. Most people told me it was a boring city, without much to see but decaying buildings and monuments. Nothing could be farther from truth. The first night tho, all I wanted to do was to eat a quick pasta with a sauce improvised by James and recover sleep after long 1000 km. by hitchhiking.

We woke up the next day, eager to discover the city. The first strategical stop was a McDonalds in the way, not because we wanted to taste the specialties of rat burguer, but rather because they had free wifi and the cheapest coffee in town. We looked at some things, organized a small meeting in CouchSurfing for the next day, and finally headed home to eat some tasty bananas under the morning sun. We took the subway to Stephansplatz, the center of the city with its beautiful cathedral from the twelveth century, and went looking for free maps and information brochures at the tourist office. We crossed half the city trying to find a laundromat, the famous shops with coin-operated laundry machines, but the price was ridiculous, so James decided to wash everything by hand and I decided to put a little more deodorant ... We had exquisite lunch noodles with chicken at Mr. Lee's, in the center of the city. In fact, the only exquisite thing was the price: 2 €. From there, trying to print all possible information about the city and the various monuments from Wikipedia to avoid buying a guide. When finished, we were already tired again, so decided to return home for a refreshing nap.  
  
At night, back to 'maccas' to use the wifi. I stayed a few hours getting in touch with people, sending emails, planning the route and updating the blog. While smoking a cigarette outside, spend some time talking with the guys from India and Pakistan working there. I told them the few phrases I knew in Hindi and Urdu (I love to show off) and we chatted around a bit. I returned home, where the sofa was waiting for me with open arms.
The next morning we decided to finally discover what the city had to offer. We started the journey from the Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper), a beautiful Neo-Renaissance building of the nineteenth century, followed by the Stephansdom, Vienna's main cathedral, completed in 1160. With its Gothic-Romanesque style and colorful tiled roof became the most representative symbol of the city.

Wiener Staatsoper

Stephansdom

From there to the house of Mozart. Or the house that Mozart rented for few months. Or what's left of it. Nothing interesting, but the city's obsession with the musician can not be ignored by anyone. It was impossible to walk more than 50 meters in the center without finding a souvenir of Mozart, a Mozart museum or someone dressed like Mozart selling tickets for a Mozart's concert ... Then, we passed the Hofburg Palace, current residence of the president and since 1279 home to all the most powerful figures in Austria. We crossed the beautiful gardens of Volksgarten to the Rathaus (town hall) with its parks, and building Parliament.
   

Hofsburg Palace

Rathaus, Vienna City Hall

Parliament

We returned through the imposing Heldenplatz Museums of Natural History and Art History, and had a view of Museumsquartier. 

Museum of Natural History

Museum of Art History

 Once there, we decided to take a break for a caffeine fix and check the mails. And the magic happened again ... We were walking when I feel a voice calling: "¿¿Maxi??". I turned and saw a confused girl with a familiar face. It was Barbara, who I met two years ago while sailing with Egil and Oyvind in Malaysia. Two years and 10,000 kms. after and we cross again, completely randomly... We hugged and summarized our lives in 15 seconds, and she promised to see us at night. 
From there we went to Karlsplatz, with its small lake and the majestic Saint Charles' Cathedral. We ate some bread with salami, and I got into the water to look around and take a couple of coins. 

St. Charles' church

James decided that, even if our budget was very low and the price of admission too expensive, he had to enter the Basilica to see the beautiful interior. I decided to stay outside with a grin, but was curious to see it and angry to have to pay: Was not Jesus a poor carpenter, anyway? And now the poor had no place in His home? So I came in and told the girl at the entrance a beautiful story with my best smile and angelic face. Not only she gave me a free ticket, but also a free ticket to the lift to see the majestic roof and the frescoes ... Ha! I could not help breaking in laughter when I met James inside, and I think he got a little angry. Upon leaving, I decided to buy a candle with the 50 cents I found in the fountain to thank and pray for everyone. We are in peace, God! haha. 

Views from the top, and the altar

Once outside I decided to cancel the CouchSurfing meeting, due to that nobody confirmed attendance, and wandered around the city. At 8 we met Barbara in Museumsquartier, with its colorful plastic sofas and lots of young people drinking and chatting. She said that in the city was allowed and perfectly normal to drink in the street, especially in its many green spaces. I was liking this city even more! Then we decided to go through the small but beautiful apartment of Barbara to enjoy a bottle of wine, and then go to Impulstanz, a kind of free dance festival, to meet her friends. The night was fine, dancing, chatting and drinking out late, and came home in a beautiful tipsy state.

With Babs and AnnaBanana in Impulstanz

The next day was our last day in town, and I met Barbara for one last look around the city. We strolled along the canals, full of good places to sit and relax and artists showing their work. We ate at my beloved Mr. Lee and went up to Donauinsel to bathe at the legendary Danube. To my surprise it turned to be blue as they sang in the waltz, and its clear waters invited to swim. The problem was that my phone came to swim with me. It happens ...

We layed in the sun for a while among locals who walked their dogs, and decided to write a message in a bottle and throw it into the river from the massive bridge. Who knows where is it now? We continued walking around the city and a pretty annoying rain started. However, we decided to climb a small hill where the psychiatric hospital was for a view of the city. The view was not such, but the church at the top with its golden dome was beautiful and we saw a cute deer...

 
We parted ways at the subway station wishing to meet again, and I went home to meet James and Elisabeth, our host. She came cycling on a recumbent bike from Germany, and although she wasn't in town the first few days and didn't know me more than my profile in CouchSurfing, decided to leave us the keys to her apartment. So we chatted like crazy in our respective journeys, long journeys by bike, yoga (she was a teacher) and meditation, and our experiences in CS. James cooked a delicious pasta and we drank a nice wine. We went to sleep, and early the next day started our way under a fine rain to Krakow, where Marta awaited. Again, it was time to leave...