A Day of Unhealthy Eating

Well, I made it to Vienna, land of monumental doorways, at least in the old city center. (This one is subtle compared to some of them!)

My flight was uneventful, but I had the rudest, crankiest security agents ever at Heathrow airport. They'd announce their spiel about liquids and laptops and whatnot, and then a minute later they'd say, "Since you seem not to be listening, I'm going to say it again...you can stay here for an extra hour, it doesn't matter to me." One woman challenged them on their rudeness and the agent said, "Well, you haven't been here all day," and then joked with her co-worker about pulling the woman's bag for a search. (At least I hope it was a joke.)

I just kept my head down and got through the line, but even I was a target when I didn't step through the security gates quickly enough. I got a reproachful stare and an exasperated "come on" hand gesture. I don't think I've ever dealt with security agents who so clearly hated their passengers.

Once on my Austrian Airlines flight, things were fine. Fun fact: they play Strauss waltzes on the airplane! Unfortunately, they don't serve food or coffee, unless you pay extra for it. So I satisfied myself with water and their one free piece of chocolate. I was glad I got a croissant at the airport.

After we landed in Vienna, I caught a nonstop CAT train into the center of the city and spent the next few hours walking around.

I had a hamburger at a restaurant near this statue depicting Karl Lueger, mayor of Vienna at the turn of the 20th century. Although credited with modernizing the Viennese capital, he's apparently associated with right-wing, antisemitic views and as you can see, the statue is quite controversial. It reminds me of the furor over monuments to Confederate leaders in the USA.

I wonder whether this old sign on a candy shop has raised any eyebrows?

I made my way to Stephansplatz, the main cathedral square in the old city, and remembered my first visit here back in 1997. I was with my mom on a bus tour through Germany and Austria, and we saw many of these sites, like the Plague Column above. It was interesting to revisit them. I can't believe that was 26 years ago.

I did not try to go into the Cafe Central, an elegant (and almost 150-year-old) cafe that's one of Vienna's most famous culinary destinations. Look at that line!

Instead I went here, and had a huge, milky coffee and a slice of sachertorte. The sachertorte had been refrigerated and it was very firm. I think I could have injured someone if I'd hit them over the head with it. It tasted good, though.

I didn't try to go into any of the museums or palatial structures like the Hofburg Palace, above. I did a lot of that on my previous visit. Instead I just wandered the winding streets.

This looks like an intriguing play, doesn't it? According to Google, the translated title (from Croatian) is, "If I'm a Woman I'm Not a Horse."

Anyway, after wandering long enough to (hopefully) work off the hamburger and the sachertorte, I caught the subway out to the part of town where I'll be staying. I checked into my hotel and had a dubious salami-and-pickle sandwich from the hotel shop for dinner.

Oh, some of you asked what kind of librarian training I'm getting. It's focused on the software we use in the library to check out books and manage the collection -- how to compile reading lists, find related materials and do some of the back-office stuff like inventory, for example. There's also a banned book discussion, which should prove interesting!