Vienna Arrival

An early morning start to get to the bus terminal, and in just an easy 3 hour journey we were in Vienna. We had managed to eek out the last of the Hungarian forints so we didn't waste too much, leaving just enough change for a loo stop and a coffee at the bus station. We snacked on delicious cheese and fruit and nut paste from the market, and some mini bite sized scone type breads I picked up from a bread stand just before boarding - hot from the oven.

The temperature had been dropping over the past week, and getting dark by 4:30, but we checked into the hotel, quickly wrapped up warmly and went out exploring as this was a quick stop over, just 2 nights. The hotel gave directions into the old quarter, and the general direction for the Christmas markets I had selected. But when we got off the underground, we came up into a mostly deserted section of town. Our brains seemed to have trouble interpreting the maps, I think the shock of the cold air. A nice young guy explained we had come too far, so back to the station and try again. By the time we emerged above ground again, it was truly dark, but the glow of lights made it clear where to head.

The first christmas market was noted as especially for children and families, and had the feel of a Rudolf Steiner affair, with a more alternate theme. The merry go round was a clever contraption of old bike parts, scooters, birdcages and barrels, and was turned by two outside single wheeled bikes that the dads peddled. The food was all freshly cooked, and we started snacking on the delicious flat fried bread, smeared with tart berries and icing sugar and more hot red wine as we strolled around. The centre area was a large train ride, where the kids peddled thier own train around the track, and others played in the huge piles of straw. 

Next we moved on to a larger market set below a large church. The Christmas lights here were Spectacular, with the large bare trees lit with huge displays, cupcakes, lady birds, candy canes etc. there were pony rides, indoor cookie baking areas for children, open fire pits around stands and lots of good food, beer and wine. This was a huge market and despite the cold, took awhile to get around, before tired and cold, we headed back to the hotel, remembering our station stop of Pilgrim. 

Funky merrygoround that the adults peddle aroun to turn