Of course you have a piano in your room sir ....
Even though I tried there was just not way for me to add a significant post whilst I was away, so here I am back
in the grind with stories to tell, a new inspired outlook and a desire to make the most of my opportunities.......what the ? I'm not entirely sure what I mean either, other than the fact that whilst I was away the people that I met were fantastic and a small number of them indirectly gave me large clues as to want I want to do with my life. I was also fortunate enought to pick up a little inspirational book in Vienna written by Paulo Coelho called the Alchemist. Call it fate or a 'good omen' but that read caught me just at the right moment. Anyway, here's a brief on how the rest of the trip went.
Stockholm - After the week away in Hemavan I had a couple of days in Stockholm before moving onwards and southwards. Jay had unfortunately taking a solid mountainside beating on his first day snowboarding and was finding it hard enough to breath let along show me the sights so I hit the city streets with no given plan. Before I continue I do have to say that Jay is one tough hombre. Some of the hits I saw him take and then shake off were a painful experience even for me. Still to his credit he got back up and continued on the 'get burnt and learn' snowboard learning curve - that guy truly will never give up.
Stockholm located on the east coast of Sweden where Lake Maralen meets the Baltic sea is an amazingly beautiful city. I think its beauty caught me a little unawares but surprises like that are always welcome. I spent two days just walking around, taking photos and trying to absorb all the sights. May favourite part (and I'm the favourite of many people) is the Stockholm old town (Gamla Stan), with the main part located on the islet of Stadsholmen. This area is a medieval type feel, filled with small alley ways, great bars, cafes etc...it was pleasure just to walk around and take in the sights at will.
Stockholm harbour , like all other parts of Stockholm, is amazingly picturesque. It's not hard to figure out why Jay wants to stay here. If I had the chance I'd probably do the same thing .....although, Vienna might have a say in my decision making process should the opportunity arise somewhere in the future. Unfortunately my time in Sweden ended all too quickly and due to certain circumstances I did get to spend as much time with Jay as I would have liked. Needless to say that I will be making the trip back to this part of the world sooner rather than later.
....flight # 6 and I'm back in Vienna
2.5 hrs flying time south of Stockholm and I was in my Grandfather's home town, a city of culture, music, huge schnitzels and Saher torte. I had been in Vienna once before, back in '91, so I remembered bits and pieces from my last visit but for some reason had not recalled how attractive a city it was. Only a few hours earlier I would have credited Stockholm as being one of the most beautiful European cities I've seen but a few hours on foot in Vienna changed my mindset pretty quickly. Damn, why did my Grandfather leave this place ??? Oh yeah, because 90 yrs ago there was no work here, a lot of poverty and Belgrade seemed like an interesting option !!!? (LOL) - how times change.
Once in town I checked into the Astoria hotel which was located down a side street 50 metres from the main pedestrian thoroughfare , Kartner Strasse. A quick shower and change later had me out and about, walking the streets and absorbing all that Vienna had to offer. Architecturally the city is a mix of Roman, Baroque, Classical and Modern styles (so said the guide) - now I truly can't tell the difference between one style or another, although if pushed I could probably pick out the 'Modern' style in a line up. Still, 5 -6 hrs on the streets had me heading back to the Sacher hotel for a slice of their famous torte and a Vienna coffee (or should that be just understood to be a coffee whilst in Vienna ?). Unfortunately reflecting on all these experiences a month or so on has me missing a lot of things that I would I would have written about at the time but EH, that's what happens......and as I'm currently supposed to be working it means that this review will also need to be continued at a later date. So until then....then...
Even though I tried there was just not way for me to add a significant post whilst I was away, so here I am back
in the grind with stories to tell, a new inspired outlook and a desire to make the most of my opportunities.......what the ? I'm not entirely sure what I mean either, other than the fact that whilst I was away the people that I met were fantastic and a small number of them indirectly gave me large clues as to want I want to do with my life. I was also fortunate enought to pick up a little inspirational book in Vienna written by Paulo Coelho called the Alchemist. Call it fate or a 'good omen' but that read caught me just at the right moment. Anyway, here's a brief on how the rest of the trip went.
Stockholm - After the week away in Hemavan I had a couple of days in Stockholm before moving onwards and southwards. Jay had unfortunately taking a solid mountainside beating on his first day snowboarding and was finding it hard enough to breath let along show me the sights so I hit the city streets with no given plan. Before I continue I do have to say that Jay is one tough hombre. Some of the hits I saw him take and then shake off were a painful experience even for me. Still to his credit he got back up and continued on the 'get burnt and learn' snowboard learning curve - that guy truly will never give up.
Stockholm located on the east coast of Sweden where Lake Maralen meets the Baltic sea is an amazingly beautiful city. I think its beauty caught me a little unawares but surprises like that are always welcome. I spent two days just walking around, taking photos and trying to absorb all the sights. May favourite part (and I'm the favourite of many people) is the Stockholm old town (Gamla Stan), with the main part located on the islet of Stadsholmen. This area is a medieval type feel, filled with small alley ways, great bars, cafes etc...it was pleasure just to walk around and take in the sights at will.
Stockholm harbour , like all other parts of Stockholm, is amazingly picturesque. It's not hard to figure out why Jay wants to stay here. If I had the chance I'd probably do the same thing .....although, Vienna might have a say in my decision making process should the opportunity arise somewhere in the future. Unfortunately my time in Sweden ended all too quickly and due to certain circumstances I did get to spend as much time with Jay as I would have liked. Needless to say that I will be making the trip back to this part of the world sooner rather than later.
....flight # 6 and I'm back in Vienna
2.5 hrs flying time south of Stockholm and I was in my Grandfather's home town, a city of culture, music, huge schnitzels and Saher torte. I had been in Vienna once before, back in '91, so I remembered bits and pieces from my last visit but for some reason had not recalled how attractive a city it was. Only a few hours earlier I would have credited Stockholm as being one of the most beautiful European cities I've seen but a few hours on foot in Vienna changed my mindset pretty quickly. Damn, why did my Grandfather leave this place ??? Oh yeah, because 90 yrs ago there was no work here, a lot of poverty and Belgrade seemed like an interesting option !!!? (LOL) - how times change.
Once in town I checked into the Astoria hotel which was located down a side street 50 metres from the main pedestrian thoroughfare , Kartner Strasse. A quick shower and change later had me out and about, walking the streets and absorbing all that Vienna had to offer. Architecturally the city is a mix of Roman, Baroque, Classical and Modern styles (so said the guide) - now I truly can't tell the difference between one style or another, although if pushed I could probably pick out the 'Modern' style in a line up. Still, 5 -6 hrs on the streets had me heading back to the Sacher hotel for a slice of their famous torte and a Vienna coffee (or should that be just understood to be a coffee whilst in Vienna ?). Unfortunately reflecting on all these experiences a month or so on has me missing a lot of things that I would I would have written about at the time but EH, that's what happens......and as I'm currently supposed to be working it means that this review will also need to be continued at a later date. So until then....then...
posted by Helisher at 10:43 am
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