Danube Cruise and Exploration 2017 -- Day 15

Saturday, August 26

Vienna, Austria

Yoyi is sick. We try to take it a little easy.

We stayed in a very pretty place that used to be a monastery. Little did we know that there would be lots of crosses everywhere, including one on top of each bed. I'm reminded of Abuela Yoya, for those of you who know what I'm talking about. 

Holocaust memorial
in Judenplatz

What's a little bit freaky is this full-size saint of some sort that stands in a hidden corner near the elevator. Every time I go by him, I gasp. He's a little eerie.

This morning we walked around the neighborhood and passed Judenplatz, where there is a Holocaust memorial and a couple of congregations, including the main synagogue.  We talked to security to find out about mincha, where we showed up later in the day to find out that the fellow had given the wrong information.

In the garden at Schönbrun

We walked past the Hofburg and caught the hop-on bus to Schönbrun, where we strolled through the spectacular gardens of the palace.  There were many "Aaron's trees," as Ed and I like to call them -- unnaturally perfectly trimmed trees and shrubs. 

Mozart, himself

Then, exiting the palace grounds we ran into Mozart on the street.  The street performers impersonate the great Austrians all over the city, but especially where there are large numbers of us tourists.

I had to have lunch at a Wienerwald restaurant, as I had when I was in Vienna 50 years ago.  Neither the atmosphere nor the food was as good, but oh well.  Afterwards we walked to the Naschmarkt, a LONG street with permanent booths for restaurants and vendors.  Markets are always fun to visit.  

Main Synagogue in Vienna

We took the tram back to the hotel to rest, and then went to Schwedenplatz, near the Danube canal, for ice cream, while waiting for the time we had been told for mincha services.  At the appointed time we walked to the nearby main synagogue to learn that there would be no mincha.

When we got back to the hotel, Yoyi was feeling especially "punk," so I went out into the neighborhood and found some chicken soup that she could have for dinner.