Vienna in Winter?

This is June 1, 2013 in Vienna, Austria - cold, wintery, interesting.  I spent February in the heat of Rio, and now June in the bizarre weather of Europe.  Despite the interesting weather, there were many things to see and do.

The central cathedral in Vienna is St. Stephan's.  I was fortunate to be here during the "Chromotopia" installation by light artist, Victoria Coeln.  Very cool.

                                             A tie-dyed church - love it!

Vienna is also known for gardens and palaces.  I visited the Upper Belvedere Museum to view the work of Gustav Klimt, one of my favorites.  I also visited Schloss Schoenbrunn and the beautiful gardens.

Okay, but what about edgy Vienna?  Is there an edgy Vienna?  Why, yes!!!!

Along the Danube, in Vienna, one finds mural after mural of street art!  Take a look.

Also, I'm still trying to figure how the Viennese interpret the word, "okay."  I'm hoping it's a little stronger for them than it us for us.  Otherwise, not sure anyone would visit either of these establishments.

There are far too many comments that could be made here.  I'll allow you to run through your own little list.  You don't need my help.

Next up:  BUDAPEST AND THE RISING WATER!!!!!!

Croatia Kayak Trip

Hello all.

After Napoli, I headed to Bari, Italy to take the night ferry, 9 hours, to Dubrovnik, Croatia for an 8 day kayak trip.  It was one of the most beautiful places that I have ever been.  I had an amazing week with some wonderful people.  Five of us, total, with guide.  Some rough sea kayaking, which was challenging, and some calm clear easy paddling waters made for a great trip.  Unfortunately, the memory card that I used for the kayak trip was misplaced (stolen) in Vienna.  What would Freud say?  So, I have no pictures of me in Croatia,  however the pictures below are exactly what we looked like and what we saw.

The kayaks had rudders which were needed for sea kayaking.  All of our camping gear, food, and tents were stored in the kayaks.  We wore the same clothes everyday.  I got a horrible case of poison ivy.  I was sick for 24 hours with the Croatian equivalent of Montezuma's revenge.  It poured rain the first night and all of our tents leaked.  It was great!  Truly, despite these normal camping and travel issues, it was an incredible adventure.

This is the historic walled city of Dubrovnik.  It is beautiful.  You can walk the entire length of the city walls and get some amazing pictures.  Nevermind.

This is the view from the top of a fortress on the island Hvar.  Our trip included stopping and camping at the many islands as we paddled.  Adriatic Kayak Tours is the company that I used.  It was an excellent experience.

When visiting Croatia, one cannot do so without contemplating the aggression against Croatia which occurred over a decade ago with the fall of communism and the disintegration of Yugoslavia.  Here is a little

information and pictures of some of the men who lost their lives during that time.

Additionally, the town of Ston in Croatia has a wall that Croatians state is second only to the Great Wall of China.  It was built in the 14th century to keep invaders from gaining entry to the salt mines.

                                      It was great fun to climb and provided great views of the landscape.

                    NEXT UP - Vienna in June or Philadelphia in November????

Napoli in Spring(steen)

After Mama flew back to the states, I caught a train to Napoli.  Ultimately, Napoli was chosen so I could then get to Bari, Italy and then take a 9 hour overnight ferry to Dubrovnik, Croatia in four days time to start my 8 day kayaking trip on the Croatian coast.  Did you get that?

So, I walk into Naples on a Tuesday with nothing much on my mind and I walk past a Bruce Springsteen poster.  Then another.  Then another.  I stop to read it.  Thursday, 8:00, 2 blocks from my hostel.  I get to the hostel and it is bursting with Bruce fans from Europe and the US.  Long story short, I get a ticket and have a blast with a great group of people.  Take a look!

                                                                   Toni, Jesse and Linda

                                      Jesse and the nightly Springsteen Sing-along!

                                              I'm pretty happy with my location for the show.

Oh yeah, Napoli.

                                                     

                                                      Funny street signs in this part of the world.

Roma with Mama!!

Okay!!  I am now in Vienna at the Hostel Ruthensteiner which has the best facilities that I have seen in all of my travels, so updates are coming.  Today we will start with Roma.  My mother, Carolyn, packed her multiple bags with multiple things and came with me to start the European leg of my adventure.  We stayed next door to the Coliseum and saw a number of wonderful sites in Rome.  Here are some pictures.

                                                      The Coliseum and the Roman Forum

                                                                     The Vatican

                                                                   The Trevi Fountain

                                                                     The Pantheon

THE FOLLOWING IS 100% TRUE!!!!  These two were on the streets of Rome playing an acoustic version, in English, of Survivor's, Eye of the Tiger.  I also saw two drummers on the street.  Mama said, "They're probably from Philadelphia".  AND

, I do not lie - One of them was wearing an Eagles cap.  Word to your mother.

                        I couldn't not share these guys with you either.  Oh the power of positive thinking.

So the week was good.  "Mommy and me" in Rome was successful (by successful, I mean no deaths).  Next up - BRUCE AND ME IN NAPOLI!!!!!!