Salzburg to Vienna

The Griswolds have made it to Vienna! The train ride from Salzburg was pretty uneventful, except... Wayne hopped off the train at a stop, to smoke. After just a minute, the doors closed and wouldn't open. He was punching every button he could find without success. About 50 yards down the track, the train personnel were hanging out of the train yelling to him, “ON THE TRAIN, ON THE TRAIN!!!” Now he is in a panic!! He said, “I was banging on that S.O.B. so hard the whole side of the car probably has dents in it. I beat the shit out of that door!” Finally some traveler inside opened the door. He was white when he got back to our seat. I laughed til I cried!! After a minute, he said, “No money, no glasses. I would've been in a mess. I would've had to get a little bucket and dance on a street corner.” I told him if he ever got left, to wait there and I would get off at the next stop, and come back for him. If I get left, he should go to our destination, get off and wait for me. I'd take the next train and meet him there. He looked at me and said, “Hell, I don't know where I'm going!”

Lots of big farms between Salzburg and Vienna. Not much scenery other than that. Cold and light rain in Vienna. Pulled out our hooded raincoats, and walked to our hotel, which is about 4 blocks from the station. Very nice hotel. Got checked in and called to reconfirm our Vienna Boys Choir tickets for tomorrow night. They will pick us up at the hotel at 3 pm and take us to the Muzikverein, where the performance will be. So we have the clocks set for 6:30, will have breakfast at hotel (free), then walk and sightsee on our own. Hopefully it won't be raining. There is a Fleming Hotel down the street, so we're going to check that out.

There are 23 districts in Vienna. District 1 is encircled by the Ringstrasse, which follows the old town walls. The Ringstrasse is called by different names as you move around the “ring”. Our hotel is just outside the ring, in district 7. Most of what we will see is in district 1. We will cross the Burgring to see the Burggartens, State Opera House, Spanish Riding School (founded in 1572, it is the oldest and last Riding School in the world where classic dressage is still practiced, and is the home of the famous Lipizzaner horses.) These horses are black when born, then turn white when mature, St. Stephen's Cathedral (built in 1147 AD and is the heart of Vienna), and the Hofburg Palace (Vienna's Imperial Palace).

At some point, we are going to the Dorotheum, the world's largest pawnshop!! Supposedly, it is a shopper's paradise, and is so large people have gotten lost and have been roaming around it's rooms since the reign of Napoleon :0) Why didn't I bring Kate's leash?? :0)

More later. Miss everyone, especially the grandchildren! Wish all of you could be here. We are having so much fun!!