The last of the eggs and bacon (the milk started to turn (chunks) and Jon killed the cereal yesterday anyway). Packed up, cleaned up. Van picked us up around 11, went to McDonald's for some more Ukrainian nuggets, and then on to the airport. The whole crew was there, including Katie from basketball camp. Ira had completed the exam earlier that morning and was really excited about being finished. We went to the back room for a little passport inspection, got cut in line by a Greek Orthodox priest with some mad bling swing to the waist, a cowboy collar, and sweet hat. I got the bag swipe at security because of some suspicious looking metal objects. We waved farewell, at the top of the stairs, passed through customs and began the wait.
The plane arrived (mostly on time) and the flight passed without incident. Vienna came into view and the search for the hotel/shuttle began. We also purchased euros (I would say exchanged for but that just isn't true at .54 euros to the dollar) We got to the vans, and hit the road at 135 kmph, to Fischamend where we stayed at the nicest hotel without air-conditioning I've ever stayed at. We voted to go into Vienna via train (after a 1.3 mile jaunt to the station). Buying a ticket was a trial to be discussed in more detail later. We boarded and headed for the big city. A really nice subway system, clean, etc. The first ground level sight of Vienna was the St. Stephen's cathedral. We went out to one of the oldest restaurants in the city (14??), and paid plenty for some good food. We then had the world famous gelato (strawberry and coconut).
Steve then convince Tom, Jon, and I to take a carriage ride through the city to see some of the sites. We had a magical time especially hearing that it would only be 25 euros for the 45 minute ride. We saw Beethoven's crib, parliament, city hall, museums, and some other cool stuff (including 4 Porsches). The ride over, "that'll be 95 euro." mentally,"What!!!!!!!!! No way, there is NO WAY I just took 180 USD carriage ride (Cinderella wouldn't have footed that bill (she would have to pawn both slippers)). We coughed it up and left with a new appreciation for the ability to miscommunicate so effectively.
We joined Aunt Kathy and Gary (Rachel and Gary head back after gelato) and searched for the right train. We bobbed and weaved, ducked and dived, jumped on, jumped off, stared, squinted, blinked, winked at every map and sign, asking, begging, pleading, (almost bribing) every person nearby who could say three english words to point us in a direction, any direction. Finally, right at closing time, we catch the last train to Fischamend, the nicest air-conditioned, clean train I've ever ridden. Relieved to death (almost pointless right?), until he came. The man Jonathan affectionate dubbed Blondie, came and asked to see our tickets, of the 5 of us none had the right tickets. Fearing a reenactment of the zeppelin scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, I offered money which he gladly accepted. We reach our destination, I pay 2.5 euro for a liter of water and get online to get my flight info for Chicago to NY.
A shower, some soccer, and dreams of America.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment