Vienna (May 23)

I found a post office not too far from where I'm staying.

Another 4.5 Kg of bits and pieces are heading home without me.  The origami skills needed to assemble the two-piece box was beyond me, so one of the staff took pity on me and helped me.  En route to finding the place, I came across a few fabric shops - this one looked very neat and tidy.

After posting my parcel, I decided to say in the area - known at Mexicoplatz.  The restaurant I chose had internet access, which was great, as I have had no connection in my apartment.  I had a tasting plate of middle eastern entrees

 served with enough chilli to make anyone happy, I think

and schnitzel with "pommes" pronounced pom-ess.  I had no idea what it could be until the guy brought out the plate.

All washed down with a 1/4 litre of red Turkish wine.  I then headed to the Prater - a big park with walking trails and a fun fair.

This is the home of the Riesenrad.

And of course there are Harry Lime references.

Food is available as you'd expect.

I chose gelato and sat on the grass in view of the Riesenrad.  I had my usual lemon - can't go without that - and then two other flavours - melon and peach.

I headed back into town then.  These mime artists are everywhere - this one had a musical instrument.  I think it's play for pay. 

 Right near him I saw this - I wonder if he's auditioned?

Cafe Central is one of the most famous coffee houses in Vienna.  There are stories and stories of all the important people who've been there - now they can add me to their list.

 

As luck would have it, I arrived at the right time to hear live piano music.

 

 This is a kind of blackforest cake without the cherries.

 Elegantly served coffee.

I had a longer than expected walk across town to get to my Mozart concert.  Would you believe I was late?  I missed about 6-8 minutes - the first item on the program.  When I was let in, I had the best luck - the easiest seat to get to was right in the middle with only the aisle in front of me - I had a great view.  The small orchestra wears traditional clothing from the Mozart era, and rather than full pieces, they play only a movement here and there of well-known compositions.  The Jupiter Symphony, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, arias from Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute.  The evening ended with the Blue Danube Waltz and the Radetsky March.  Great fun.