Vienna

Off the train in Vienna, we spent way too much time looking for our hostel as Google gave us the wrong directions! Needless to say, Mike was shocked and disappointed. It seems finding our hostels once off the train is always a trying experience, because either the train arrives at the station that is not on the map or our hostel is hiding from us. I think it may be a conspiracy against us by people who are jealous of the trip!

Vienna was a beautiful city full of amazing old buildings. It was a bit touristy and full of shopping in the city center but once we got outside of that, it was wonderful. We were able to ride a tram around the city and see some of the architecture. So far, all of the cities we have been in have grand old buildings. Mike is beginning to think that the big cities in the states are now a bit of a letdown. Vienna was great, however, because we managed to wander down one of the streets and into a German bookstore with a great used English section, yaay for cheap reading (3 books for ten euro). We then wandered into a bit of a Roman wall that had been uncovered in the city center dating back to the 3rd or 4th century. This was found on our way to a wine tavern, built in 1683. We went down a steep stairwell into a "basement" with brick walls and hidden nooks everywhere. We sat and drank some of the best wine I have ever tasted, played a few games of chess, and proceeded to get mildly intoxicated in the middle of the afternoon. As we were getting up to leave, an older foursome came in and were so happy to get our table. One of the gentlemen helped me with my coat, while the others exclaimed in German (we think) how excited they were to have our table. There was more laughter when they realized that we had no idea what they were saying but Mike and I just nodded and pulled chairs out for them, drunkenly and happily.

Speaking of drunk people, the next morning we had just enough time to wander around and have a coffee or three before our train left. We were enjoying our coffee when some guy happened to grab my attention. He motioned for me to come over to him and his friend who were standing at the bar (it was around 11 in the morning). I shook my head no and this immediatly prompted him to invite himself over to our table. We were quick to realize that he was drunk, spoke very little English, and was very clingy as he was literally hanging on Mike, both arms around his shoulders. He then made motions that he wanted me to slap his friend accross the face. We have no idea why but I continued to refuse and then the friend came over. He also spoke little English and was pretty drunk. It continued to be a weird experience, as they explained to us that they had been partying for 2 days and one night, while the other smelled his armpit and then scrunched up his nose, all the while hanging on Mike. In the end, Mike made an excuse and we got the hell out of there. What an interesting way to cap off Vienna!

Photos to come later, fascist internet cafe won't let Mike upload them!