Thursday, April 19, 2007

VIENNA

This morning we're off to see the world famous Lippizanner Stallions.






We walked from our pension to the Imperial Palace on foot - about 45 minutes, with frequent stops - the sun was out and lit up the buildings beautifully. You just can't resist taking more photos. Here's one of a great park and formal gardens








Arrived at the Spanish Riding School - home of the Lippizanner stallions at 9:45 am. Tickets to see the morning exercises and to tour the museum - 9 Euro each.

The riding school is an indoor arena, looking more like a ballroom with a dirt floor. It is lit with huge chandeliers. Around the outside, at two levels, people can be seated between pillars and look out over the arena. Regrettably, photos inside are not permitted.

The horses and riders - 7 or 8, at a time - file in one at a time, doffing their hats in a salute as they pass the dignitaries' viewing area at one end. The riders take the horses through dressage movements for one half hour, then 8 more come in. This is repeated for the two hour morning exercise period.








The museum showed the history and downstairs a video was shown of the training of horses and riders.















Lunch was at a sidewalk cafe in the inner city. We had ham and cheese paninis, with beer. Beside us was a young lady with a cute little black dog. Across from where we were sitting was a Starbucks Coffee - can you imagine? In Vienna, of all places.









The inner city Platz areas were packed with people. We asked some standby ambulance attendants what event was going on, and they said this is just normal.

















We made our way to the St. Peters church (1702). A huge cathedral, too big to photograph the whole building within the available space around it. Chatted with an Estonian, who said Canada is the #1 destination for Estonian immigrants.












Plotted our way back to the pension. On the Josefstadstrasse we stopped at a cafe for coffee. They had a 'hot spot' for internet access, so we could email with updates.

Bought scarves at a shop, and got back to the pension at 6 pm. Our night manager explained how to take the #5 tram up the street to the Westbanhof tomorrow morning. He will also knock on our door at 6:15 am.




Dinner at 7 pm at the Julius Meinl Hummel restaurant on the Josefstadstrasse. We sat outside sipping beer, but when the sun started going down it got chilly. Our waiter brought us to a table indoors, where we had cordon blue (schweinn) - SE, and pepper steak - HK, with pancakes for dessert and coffee. Check out the cute service sets for the coffee. Delicious ! Our waiter was very kind to us, so we tipped him well. The restaurant also had 'hot spot' internet service so we got off another message. Jenn had already answered the afternoon's message, and responded right away to this one.

We had a lovely walk - gorgeous evening - back to our pension. Packed up our stuff for the morning and made this journal entry.