In the land of Freud, Mahler, and Klimt, the streets are wide, very wide, and the buildings massive. We arrive in the afternoon under sunny skies, take a taxi to Radetzkystrasse 15 to meet our landlords: Mani and his wife. The apartment is small, clean, white, on the first floor. There is no land-line phone: the Internet is our only access to the outside world. And the router has problems but we manage.
Mom takes a nap and I go out to explore the neighborhood. There is a tiny urban beach nearby on one of the Danube's canals. I see a bunch of people all crammed together on a small piece of land under red and white umbrellas. Must learn how to navigate the streets, take the trams and trolleys, find bus tours so mom doesn't have to walk a lot.
I return to the apartment to pick up mom and we go out on the No. 1 trolley that runs around on the Ringstrasse. Coins ready to pay I find no way to do so. The orange machine on the trolley doesn't work. I pocket the coins and sit down, crossing my fingers that no one asks us for the tickets. I'm sorry Vienna I rode for free. On the way back however I do get to pay 2.20 euros each. We have supper at Stein's sidewalk cafe. Excellent meal! Chicken escalope with potato/corn salad for me, baked potato with ham and zucchini for mom. I'm so hungry I devour everything. Plus a tall glass of beer.
And back at the apartment the problems with the internet start. I attempt everything I know but nothing works. I call Mani who comes to help. He's a very nice man. Indeed.
Now I must go to sleep on the wide bed with mom. Cross my fingers that I can sleep and rest. I haven't slept very well the last few days. Cross my fingers that I can sleep tonight and rest for tomorrow's museums and cafes and parks. Vienna awaits me! I can't miss her.
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