Stop raining! It's only confirming my stereotypes!

I didn’t think it was possible, but in every town I have been since leaving Spain it has rained. This has varied from light showers settling in to form cold and damp nights, or heavy downpours bought on by thunderstorms.

I am now sitting in Kiel, typing furiously to try to catch-up on the last few cities worth of blogs (the count stands at 4 including this one). The journey continues in Vienna.

Random cathedral on my walk

As I waited at Salzburg Westbanhopf the sky went from grey and overcast to purple and angry; very soon I could hear thunder over the sound of the trains, and lightening illuminated in the face of the hills and electric lines. This made me more than a little nervous; waiting on a train station platform in the open whilst it poured was not going to be fun. By the time I boarded the train it was raining heavily, at an angle that would’ve ensured I was soaked had I stayed on the platform any longer. The train ride was comfortable and relatively short (only three and a half hours this time!) and I arrived in Vienna to markedly better weather and an easy to find info point; I picked up a map and set out for my next stopover, the “Hostel Ruthenstein”.

Ridiculously green

The hostel was very close to the station, and after a short walk down Mariahilferstraβe (passing several other hostels on the way) I arrived ready to find dinner; aware that everything would be closing very soon (it was almost six) and that I also needed lunch for the next day. Being a Sunday everything was going to be closed, so I had to think ahead (parents, be proud). I went for a walk and saw a bit of the city, finding a cheerful little corner store where I made friends with the owner and employees before I headed back to the hostel.

The hostel itself was quite nice; very friendly with a fair few people. As I was cooking I met a young Canadian couple from British Columbia who were taking their “delayed honeymoon” and travelling around Europe together for 6 weeks. We ended up eating together and having a lovely time. I turned in to bed early, still recovering from the excessively long train train rides and exhaustion catching up on me from not taking a break.

Statues

The next morning my plan was to explore. I had my trusty city map (these things are life-saving) and had plotted my course, ready to make the most of the time I had and see a lot.

My first stop was the amazing Schonbrunn Palace. Built in the late 17th century, the Palace houses the most tranquil and beautiful gardens I have ever had the pleasure of lazing in, and the most elaborate rooms inside. I found myself taking time out  just to sit and relax and watch life pass by in the sun. The gardens are of every shade of green linked by paths and arboured walkways, with hidden pathways and lovely cool stone benches to relax on when you tire of wandering.

Schloss Schonbrunn

After spending quite a few hours in the Palace, I made my way back into the street, aiming to walk to the other side of the city to the Older part of the city and Museums quarter. I walked the entire length of Mariahilferstrasse, passing the main shopping district, the Museums (there are too many to name and I didn't go in-I was on both a time and money budget!), making my way to Stephansdome, the major Cathedral in Vienna, also passing the Spanish Riding School on the way.

Stephansdome

I spent some time milling in the square outside of the cathedral, soaking up the atmosphere, keeping out of the way of tourists and taking my photos before heading back along Mariahilferstrasse to the hostel. One of the things that constantly amazes me is the way in which public spaces are used by the local people and the atmosphere that accompanies this. There were buskers and street artists of all different types, side by side with coffee shops, food stands and little children running around. I will really miss the way in which Europe is so relaxed and communal, and how people actually use the spaces available to them on a regular basis.



I found a deserted pathway. It was so peaceful.



I returned to the hostel, utterly exhausted but completely satisfied with my day of sightseeing. By walking everywhere I had managed to see so much of the city that wasn't in the guidebook; the Vienna that I felt was more local and less touristy.

Once I'd made my way back to the hostel I cooked dinner and relaxed for a while with another lovely young woman who was staying at the hostel, after which I headed to bed to get an early night, as I was catching the train to Prague the next morning and it was going to be a long ride yet again. Therefore I will leave this blog here. The next post will be rather more interesting, as the train ride was one of the most unexpected adventures yet!

Until next time!

Love Love!

Clem xx