Mon
18.Jul.2011
Bratislava, Slovakia
Last Tuesday (12.July), off to Vienna for the day to scout the
prospects for seeing Harry Potter there on the 13th.
As it turned out, I saw it here in Bratislava instead on the 14th.
Still, I got a visit to Vienna out of the deal.
First part is getting to the bus station, which would be an easy
walk if I weren't babying this !"§$%&/ swollen foot.
So it is a less-easy walk through a residential neighborhood of
mostly homely old communist-era apartment buildings (like mine).
Trees line the streets, and there is the occasional mini-park
between buildings.
I know nothing at all about Mama's Hotel. Haven't seen it
mentioned in any guidbook, or info from the tourist office. But
there it is!
Wien
One of the theaters I checked out is across the street from the Burg
Park.
Mozart stands just inside the park entrance.
St Stephen's Cathedral, as seen from the Burg Park.
Leaving the park, I took a tram around the Ring to visit the British
Bookstore, that perennial gold mine of books in English.
Sadly, they are losing their premises at the end of this month. They
haven't yet found a new place. Be a shame if they don't.
Nominally, I was looking for some Umberto Eco, which they didn't
have. Instead I came away with a new (to me) Vargas Llosa, and two
Carl Hiaasens that I had not read before. (I'd never try to pass off
Hiaasen as Great Lit, but he is a hoot and I enjoy him.)
Then back around the Ring for a coffee, at a cafe with a friendly
proprietor. I hope to visit him again. Made a nice break before
the bus ride home.
On the Bus
back to Bratislava
Sunflowers! Mile after mile of them. Sunflowers and wheatfields line
the highway, from Vienna airport, where the bus makes a stop, most
of the way to Bratislava, except for a line of low hills near the
Austro-Slovakian border, where the bus stops at each of two small,
pretty Austrian towns.
Bratislava Castle!
We are almost home.
Contents Copyright 2012 Jeff Bulf