Wien – the endless possibilities

During the most recent visit, which started travelling for the year 2023, my husband and I enjoyed a nice brunch at cafe Ulrich which seems to be quite popular, for most of the tables were taken or reserved for the next customers. We were so lucky that we were seated without the need to wait. I ordered a sweet breakfast, and my husband a meal that had it all: meat, cheese, spreads, granola with yoghurt and jam. Their apricot jam was sweet just enough. My breakfast was served with coffee and a ginger-apple shot. Tasted very spicy, however, warmed you up without the need for alcohol presence. I forgot to mention that due to my lack of proper orientation since we got lost a little bit. The morning chill had not helped with mood alleviation.

I like making short trips to known and unknown places for the pure pleasure of it and as an escape from reality. When I happen to find myself in a different state, geographically speaking, there is no need to sleep, eat, drink, be comfortable, or use public transportation. I would rather walk everywhere. It is like all my basic needs are suppressed by the very presence of me in a foreign environment, and my body and my mind are not able to cope with all of it rationally. 

Living so close to the borders of three states has its advantages. You can just jump on a train, and it takes you less than 4 hours to reach all the neighboring capitals with the point of origin as Bratislava. My first visit ever was with my late father. Together with the eldest brother of mine, we took the train to Wien and spend most of the day at ZOO. It was an extraordinary experience since we have not spent so much time with my father individually. He was a frugal person, liked to save where possible, but was loving and giving. But let's cut from the nostalgia of my father still alive and focus back on Vienna.

I like its charming and clean streets, its architecture, touristy sites, and pretty nice restaurants (price to quality ratio). I like it for the diversity of palaces, villas, and old houses with soul. It feels so foreign and distant, I feel like a real tourist because the German language and I are not friends. So I depend on the courtesy of the staff everywhere and hope they speak English. 

After a nice breakfast, we walked around in the direction of Hofburg to visit the Sissi museum. Loads of people, loads of tourists queuing at the wrong spot. We got there during the lunch rush, therefore the swarms of people who do not know their manners were endless. Nevertheless, with the audio guide that kept us focused and explained the significance of all the objects we looked at, we were able to enjoy the museum and discover how Sissi died, the legend around her and of course, how the most popular Sissi trilogy is not an exact copy of the life she, her husband, and her mother-in-law led.

We walked through the lovely street even more, string lights and Christmas decor was still everywhere, so regardless of whether the Christmas season was considered over, we still got a taste of it. We did some window-shopping and visited the famous Aida for cakes and coffee, we got lucky with having a free table right away and taking the metro (the third most favourite mode of transportation with plane and train in the lead) got straight to Hauptbanhof, bought Manner sweets and went back home.