Vienna - Day Two

It was such a pleasure to sleep in a bed last night instead of on an airplane in a too-small seat.  I woke up feeling completely rejuvenated and ready to roll! The hotel here includes breakfast, so Nancy and I went down to the dining area about 9 a.m., and enjoyed their excellent food. Afterwards, we took a walk around the neighborhood, strolled through two Christmas markets, and then returned to the hotel.  It was cold enough for coats, gloves, scarves, and hats or earmuffs.

This pretty Husky girl was helping our her owners at their Christmas booth.

 This man had one of our favorite booths, selling handmade calendars, address books, and the like.

 Of course there were lots and lots of booths selling ornaments.

And plenty of gluwein (warm spiced wine), with different mugs for each market.  Don't worry, Krista!  I have started collecting them for us!

At noon, we met our first friend from Vienna!  Elisabeth is a talented quilter whom I know from flickr, a website for photographers. She speaks English very well, and it was a pleasure to finally meet her!

We first went to lunch.  The restaurant was chosen by Elisabeth, and it was very good.  Thankfully, she was able to help us with the menu, because there no English translations! Here's Nancy's plate of goulash, complete with sausage shaped into decorative flower designs.

Elisabeth had fish with broccoli and potatoes.

And I had a chicken and vegetables dish.  Underneath it was a nice surprise...a baked potato!

The neighboring table was hosting a baby shower.  The cutest baby, though, was under the table...

After lunch, we walked to see the district heating plant designed by Freidensreich Hundertwasser.  Nancy and I are both big Hundertwasser fans. We've enjoyed seeing his apartments houses in Germany, and while Nancy saw the heating plant when she visited several years ago, today we have a Vienna native to show us around! The design of the plant is incredible. 

Here's Nancy, enjoying the day!

Next, we took the underground to see these striking examples of Art Nouveau architecture.

As it got later in the day, the temperatures starting dropping.  We stopped for warm drinks in a coffee shop, which looked like something out of a movie.  I kept looking up at the ceiling!

After we finished our drinks, it was time to Elisabeth to head home.  We will be meeting her and some of her friends on Wednesday night, as we've been invited to a gathering of her quilting group.  We are very excited to attend!

After saying goodbye, Nancy and I buttoned up our coats, and started walking in the direction of our hotel.  The wind blew, and it got colder and colder.  Even the mannequins in the shop windows seemed to be affected by the cold weather!

We eventually made it "home" in time for hot tea and cake.  After resting up for a short while, we headed out again.  We are getting on close terms with the neighborhood Christmas market, where we ate dinner and had more gluwein.  It was quiet and cold...a very lovely evening.



More tomorrow, as we continue to explore Vienna.