Journey to Venice D2.2

It seems like I have a lot to be grateful for on this journey: my seat on the packed train, the helpful receptionist Kia at the Casa Accademia who was there to meet my late arrival, the helpful train conductor, the kind people who guided me and gave me info, the conductor who accepted my ticket for the previous month. I hadn't noticed and neither did he.  

We all had to get off the train and take a bus to Udine. Then I needed two more trains to Venice. It was 9.20 pm when we arrived at Santa Lucia instead of 19.50 and a vaporetto strike had started so the area in front of the train station was full of miserable arrivals like me with luggage. Luckily I was packed for the camino with a rucksack.

Kia had told me about the strike earlier so I was prepared for a 40min hike through the hot and humid city through dark narrow streets: murderer's alleys. Eventually thanks ti google maps and plenty of reroutes I got to the hotel at 10pm. I was absoltutely drenched in sweat, I looked like I had swum there in the canal, and exhausted. I couldn't even find my room on my floor until a mother and daughter helped me find it. I was disappointed at first. My room looked bare, the bed narrow and uncomfortable, the furniture old. It was hot and airless and I thought the aircon wasn't working.

Things were going to get better.

Morning in Vienna D2

Got up early and went straight out into the warm but more pleasant morning. It was a peaceful Saturday - not many people. I made my way towards the Belvedere Palace and glimpsed a fountain through trees that seemed like a kind of paradise in these hot days.

 I also spotted two police cars and the monument to the Soviet Army. 

I walked to the ringroad and the cafes were preparing to open but the only place actually open was MacD, so I got my first coffee and a chocolate croissant there. The server was nice and we had a chat. She said she didn't like the narrow streets in Venice.

Then I walked to the Belvedere Gardens and watched the joggers and peered into the botanical gardens. 

As I made my way back towards the hotel, I came across a proper traditional Viennese cafe - The Golden Egg. The waiters were fresh and energetic, the ceiling fans were cooling and the coffee and orange juice were refreshing. I felt I had finally enjoyed a little of the Viennese experience. 

I bought a most impractical second-hand rucksack, packed and went to the train station.

Vienna - Venice Adventure D1

Journey from Banska to Bratislava, Petrazalkova train station in a lovely air-conditioned car driven by a great driver. Travelled with Katka, grandson Max and son-in-law. Then I had coffee in Brat with Greta as well, who I finally met after sending her photos of her mother.

Then on to Vienna by train and a walk in the hot, hot sun along the right road for my hotel but the wrong direction. I realised when I saw the name of the tube station. So I hopped on the tube and the Hotel Josef Strauss was just by tube stop. 

After freshening up, I went out into the sweltering city. I walked to the Museums Quarter. It was hot in the shade and just unbearable in direct sunlight. 

I had a small meal in the Kantina and revived. 

I walked some more and saw the interesting Beethoven memorial. Enjoyed watching the scooters and cyclists whizzing around. But it really was scorching. In the end I had a beer at a small Austrian/Vietnamese bar near the hotel and watched the locals walking their dogs.

Afterwards I returned to the hotel exhausted. It was nice to revive with the aircon.