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 United Kingdom

Prashant, 20 May 2009
 United Kingdom, London

Servus!!! Vienna..Bavaria..

It was my childhood dream to see the ‘blue Danube’..always read about blue clear sky, ice covered mountains, free flowing rivers, long spread grassy meadows and wooden houses. After much hiccups, I was ‘allowed’ to visit Austria and Germany..and thanks to Lisa and Maria I had a splendid time there.
As usual, Lisa’s welcome was warm and healthy- with nice thai food and red! I was very happy that I had left the grey weather in London behind and welcomed by a sunny and bright day. ‘Eine tag karte, bitte!’..my German was on test now! The city’s laid back culture is prominent by well networked trams.. these little trains can go in any lane ...they can be fast also...sometimes! in Inner Stadt (inner city)..there are no traffic lights…the pedestrians and vehicles look after each other! Well, there are few McDonalds..and starbucks (what a sin!)..but besides that the time has stopped in this city long back! Sipping a café melange with apple straddle in Kohlmkt, watching people interrupted by Mozart clothed salespersons, people showing of their dogs- puddle, intermittently sound of horse carriages…people glazing through the affluent fashion shops, jewellery shops, some coming out with their priced possessions! And of course, there is an amazing architecture to marvel at. Rathouse- city hall- is a challenge for both architect s as well as photographers. It is standing tall opposite opera house. The country is celebrating 90 years republic and the façade of the parliament house has just undergone a new look. The structure is based on Greek style and dotted by Greek gods..the birthplace of democracy! In the main house, there are 8 marble pillars, carved out of one stone..bought by horse carriages, flown thr’ Danube many years ago. Couple of pillars were damaged during the war..but they r still strong. The assembly is dotted with gods/goddess from different ‘areas’- apparently, these white marble statues were black – because sometimes, angry politicians would throw ink at each other! There are no more ink bottles now…and statues are saved!
Stephanplatz..with iconic church..is a high street in little Vienna. ‘Backerie’ are fooded with fresh breads, pastries, rolls and cheese. Walking through the lanes in inner stadt is very intriguing. Many small museums, theatres, cafés. In evening, we took a train towards Linz- it’s a cultural capital of Europe now..entire young crowd from surrounding area was gathered on the banks of Danube..it was also a Easter weekend. I was trying to communicate with ‘einbischone’ deutsche! Lisa and Michi’s cool friends were also curious about India ! As it started getting cold, we moved to a nearby very cosy pub..oh no! café. It was very randomly arranged. It was a special night performance by DJ Robo! So, we went upstairs to watch. And..it was a scene from Star Trek..a guy (or girl) completely clad as a Robo (as if landing on moon..) was beating different kinds of equipments..it was hard to identify or even say if they were any instruments..because the sound was horrible ..beep..beep..beeep..in different rythms..sehr interessant! There were many enthusiastic like us who went to watch and returned to the ground floor annoyed! So we had to drink Austrian beers to wash down that weird experience…and I had to resort to lots of teas as my throat was infected..and cld barely speak. We had to literally run to get the tram as we had to catch the last train to Eferding. As we saw the tram approaching, we unanimously decided to ditch to buy the ticket. Soon after we saw a big size but small height guy approaching us..’karte bitte!!’..Oh my god! Because of Lisa I was involved in such an illegal act (!!!)..well, again with basic instinct with act as if we are stupid (quiet a natural acting, as guess!!)…first I gave him money and repeated his words ‘karte bitte!!!’..he was taken back..he repeated his words..then I showed him all possible tickets I had so far..including the ticket for keep my luggage at the station. Even, Lisa acted very well, that she is not Austrian!!!...he was getting quiet pissed by now..and wanted to charge us fine.. but we continued our stellar performance..!! we got off the tram..he could not speak English and barely some Austrian; as he was a bit drunk too! (C’mon, Friday night!)..by now, couple of young enthusiastic tried to communicate with us..and they were speaking in loud English..’YOU HAVE TO BUY TICKET BEOFORE YOU GET IN TRAM OR TRAIN..OTHERWISE IT’S VERY DANGEROUS!!!’…meanwhile, I kept showing him a note of 5 euro..and finally, we managed to get a ticket of 5 Euro each..and left him pissed!!!
A small cute train took us to Eferding in wee hours after midnight. Lisa’s lovely mom welcomed us..and soon I was in a very comfortable sleep. Next morning was I had the one of the best breakfasts..all kinds of bread, cheese, butter, vegetables and Lisa’s mom baked LinzerTorte!!...with some initial communication..i guess, we developed the best language to interact with myself and lisa’s lovely parents. ‘Ein Indien von London’ was obviously talk of the village..lisa’s neighbours came..excited..and offered me beer..it was almost 10 a.m!!! But, her dad gave me some ‘herbal’ medicine to cure my throat..i gulped that ‘tasty’ drink..(it’s hard to describe its taste..one should try but!!!)..and by evening my throat was fine!!! In the afternoon, we headed back to Linz. Weather has been really gracious; but I london crapy weather was still suffering my throat! We roamed around the lanes of Linz. Went up the castle and had supper.. weiner schnitzel, home made mint tea and fresh salad! During my entire stay in Europe, I got so addicted to such fresh food and café’ that I am still finding it difficult to get back to normal work life..esp coffee! Throughout the evening, Lisa boasted about her ‘indian’ friend and I boasted by ‘speaking ‘ in german!!!
Easter Sunday, we sat together for the breakfast (I was so guilty that I kinda woke up late, and kept lisa’s parents waiting!!!..bloody Indians!!!) So, here I had to experience a Easter tradition..break the eggs..but conveniently forgot that the one does not break the egg wins..and I smashed the egg on lisa’s ..(bl…In..!!) then, we have to find easter basket in the garden..atleast, I was quicker there! It was quiet a fun..excitement..even in the evening we were talking about whose egg is the strongest..!!! very village gossip. Weather was amazingly great..and we headed towards Salzkammergut, Mondsee, Bad Ischle ..and nature laden belt in upper Austria. People just coming out of Church wearing typical Austrian cloths..leather pants!!..sun was adding glitter to the blue lakes and snowy mountains were busy checking their mirror image the water below. There was sky up and in the lakes too! People were relaxingly strolling around. A bunch of oldies was playing Austrian music in a café’. Everybody was so relaxed..we came across a swan who was so lazy to even wake up to get his food..so he (I presume it was male , because, another swan just sitting shyingly next to it) just extended his long neck to pick it up (and he just ate it for himself..another sign that it was a male!!!) the area is surrounded by typical wooden houses..many centuries old..parishes..not many tourists though..it was still the beginning of spring..next morning we were greeted by lisa’s grandparents from mothers’ side. It was quite amusing to look for the Easter basket in the garden. We had lunch with lisa’s grandparents from father’s side… very nice family gathering. Also, had chance to interact with Mike- lisa’s ‘pilot’ brother! Her grandma would get ‘cutely’ upset every few minutes that the restaurant misspelled their last name. It was a very cosy lunch and with warm heart I said adieu to her parents. And ‘Pilot’ mike drove us to the borders where Maria was going to pick me.
Passau is historical important place too. The church has the largest organ in the world. Mariahilfe is very famous too. People walked those steps in pray to fulfil their wishes..quiet Indian I thought! Ins, Ills and Donal (Danube) meet each other here. Pretty town..welcomed by Maria’s lovely family. It was very quiet evening..the churchbells would create waves in fresh atmosphere and we kept on chatting till late nite. Hansy joined us too.
Next morning, I met Hansy’s parents. His grandmother was joyous to see an Indian, as she does not need to go to India now! His mom was eager to feed us some food and dad with beers! He has a warehouse of beers..think of any brand/kind of beer in Germany..he has it!! And and..gallons of apple cider!!!..just open a tab and there it is for u..(joan..it’s heaven for u!!) he lives in Waldkirchen..there is a church there..many years ago, a knight was lost in the forest and then he heard the churchbells ringing from Passau and that place he built the church..it is still there..and so the name waldkirchen..sehr interressant! We had a quick look at the museum of olden days houses..Hans’ grandparents have also kept some stuff there..amazing! We hiked at Lusan. On the peak, there is a Cross..Bavaria is quiet religious. Mountains have already started shedding the ice away…some left on the top..Tree-beetles have eaten away most of the trees..so it’s barren..one side is Austria..another side is Czech Republic. Very peaceful. In the evening, Maria’s mom cooked delicious Indian curry. Showed me the pics from their trip to the US. Next morning, was I was very touched to received a nice angle locket from her..it’s going to protect me during my journey!!
Hansi – aka- Michael Schumacher – drove us to Munich. Englische Garten is even bigger than central park in NY and Hyde park in London. Chinese Kirche-well, according to Hansy, Munich Government pays some chinese people to walk along the church every hour to give it a chinese look!!! Towards the northern end of the garden is a small strong flow of water bursting under a bridge where enthusiastic surfers were playing! It was quiet amusing to watch them. City centre of the Munich is quiet similar to Vienna. We went into historic Anglican beer garden and refreshed our self with Radler..and sumptuous meal. We roamed around city centre…watched the entire city from the top of the church..indulged in nice café’. In the evening we met Maria’s sister who took us to her ‘interesting’ apartment. The landlady- almost 85 years old- was a very forgetful sweet old lady. She reminded us 10 times in less 10 minutes to switch off the lights!!..the apartment was dotted with very historic and antique show-pieces. We had nice Indian chicken curry.
It’s been almost a month that I am back from beauty land..and so far I have managed to penned down ..i think, I still want to live in those memories..so will update later..and there is much more on cornwall trip too!!!

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