We're sitting in the Executive Lounge of the Hilton Stadtpark awaiting our room. It's quiet here in the middle of the day.
Our flight on OS (Austrian Airlines) was fine, although not nearly as roomy in Row 18 Y compared to bulkhead C on our UA 767 IAD-ZRH. It's always impressive to fly a European carrier on a one-hour flight and be served food, in this case a decent half-sandwich of cheese and meat served on wonderful Austrian dark bread.
We caught the S-Bahn from the airport to the stop about 50 meters from our hotel. There's also a CAT (fast airport train) that costs more Euros but we weren't in that much of a hurry. None of these options was available at VIE a few years ago. The taxi drivers probably aren't happy but travelers are.
Since it's now well past the 24-hour point that the alarm awakened us in Seattle, we think it's time for a little nap before possibly venturing as far as Grinzing later this evening.
Ah, Vienna. It's great to be back.
Kathy and Brian
Two retired educators alternating joyfully between seeing the world and enjoying our eight grandchildren (in order of birth), Jake, Avery, Taegan, Lily, Peyton, Riley, Blane, and Jace.
Kathy and Brian met in the clarinet section of the University of California (Santa Barbara) Symphony Orchestra several decades ago.
Brian's Western Canadian roots and Kathy's Colorado ties resulted in their making beautiful music together along with producing a cross-border crop of descendants.
Kathy spent a year studying in Vienna at the Institute for European Studies and the University of Vienna.
Brian started the school band program in Hope, British Columbia, and later became the high school's vice-principal for 6 years and subsequently principal for 15 years before retiring in 2001.
Kathy, in between raising our three children, taught kindergarten and first grade, middle school, and high school - mathematics, computer studies, ESL, and her first love, band, before retiring in 2001.
We enjoy sharing our travel experiences and providing the odd travel tip to friends, relatives, and visitors.
