//Day 5 /16-03-22 /Vienna

After a fit sleep and breakfast I headed in Vienna town. My plan of today was to make a walk along all major sightseeing spots and places of Vienna. I have never visited Vienna before and since I had only one day time my objective was to have a brief introduction day on Vienna. The weather was windy, cold and grey with some rain predicted around noon. 

Besides the, I assume, regular city traffic there were not a lot of movement and people on the streets,  shops mostly closed.  The city and streets fell empty, it was cold, grey and windy weather, quite different compared to my 3 rather sunny cycling days. I had to change plans if I wanted to avoid a visit to the couch of Freud to discuss my emerging depression…..

The solution was to head to the Kunsthistorisches Museum (nothing better then some culture as antidpressant) which boast the largest Breugel collection in the world besides Rubens, Rembrandt, Caravaggio,….and at least even important it was away from the grey and cold and would provide warmth and light…..

Later during my visit I would learn that the museum also holds the Habsburg treasures and curiosities spanning the  Middle Ages to the Baroque area and department on classics art. But later more on this. 

Sometimes it can be a disappointment to see aan art work live. A couple of years ago I saw the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and was disappointed by the experience ; Mona Lisa is rather small , it was crowded , there was not a lot of time….Today though there was plenty of time, not a lot people around and canvasses of reasonable size (although I was expecting that a winter landscape by Breugel was smaller than expected. I had plenty of time to look at Breugel’s works including the peasant wedding, Children’s game, Tower of Babel and  my favourite : Hunters in the snow. 

After my Breugel immersion it was time for a drink and something to eat. The museum has a really nice bar-restaurant with waiters  in apron, white shirts and black pants. Somewhat refreshing in today’s  hipster era. After a Radler and an Viennese soup  (broth, pancake noodles and cabbage) it was time to hit floor 2 to visit the Habsburg treasure rooms consisting  of a huge  collection of objects (vases,  statues, glasswork, clock’s , knives, barber tools,….) each made with the best materials, great mastership , precision,….money was certainly not an objection for the Habsburgers.

When I descended from the 2nd floor I saw the signpost for  the classical art department including Egyptian, Greek and Roman art another one and half hour well spend…Stolen, robbed but great art nonetheless. So if you plan to visit Vienna head to the Kunsthistorisches Museum ! Great tip Bart !

When I exited the museum a shy sun was trying to break though the clouds but it was still windy and cold. A poster reminded me that the Vienna Photo Festival was on show , I checked internet for the location, and started walking the 5 KM to the venue where most of the exhibitions were taken place. A nice walk from one side of the city to the other.

The exhibition venue was located in a nice building in a park….the exhibition itself was unfortunate less exciting. Maybe I was already overdosed with the artwork I saw at the museum in the morning but most of the works on display did not make my heart tick faster except the work of Anna Bergold, M.H. Froslev and Pixy Liao.

Somewhat disappointed I started to walk back to my hotel. It was time for some rest after my 25k stroll….When I arrived at my room I had a lenghty call with my daughter who was tested positive for Covid but is luckily not ill. After the call I had some well deserved shut-eye until it was tile for dinner. As I walked enough today I opted for a local Asian restaurant serving dumplings….The schnitzel at Figlmuller, cocktail in the American bar will be for another visit. I passed by Sacher with the plan to have  coffee and cake but I felt somewhat underdressed compared to the clientele already attending I did not dare enter…

Tommorow it is only a short ride to my next destination:Bratislava. Sun is predicted with a NW wind so the 65 K will be a breeze. Slovakia, country #3, her I come. 

Lessons learned : 

• The mood can change as quickly as the weather. 
• I will definitely return to Vienna 
• Comped can be used on other body parts then feet.

Song of the day : Bratislava / Beirut

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