Apparently it's time to drag out (as it were) my white satin and monocle, for it seems that the wise folks at Golden Handcuffs Consulting Amalgamated International are sending me on the road.
Yes, having what seems like only moments ago dragged me back to the home office, it's off again this weekend for a week of sharing the gospel of strategic communication (truly a subject of endless fascination. Really.) to an appreciative audience out there on the Danube.
I suppose it's changed a bit since Barrymore and Wynyard frolicked in a backlot approximation, what with wars hot and cold and a great deal more, but nonetheless I'm looking forward to my first trip to Vienna. I hope to hit the highlights, culturally speaking, although it turns out that the Philharmoniker is most contrarily not in residence at the Musikverein, but rather off concertizing in the UK. Nonetheless, the imperial apartments beckon, as does the Egyptian collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the prospect of a significant amount of Klimt viewing. And then, one hopes, there will be little cafés and restaurants - possibly of the kind, even, that features a wandering gypsy violin...
Anybody have travel tips for an Österreichische novice?
"Oh, my dear, don't you hear a waltz?
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely Blue Danubey music,
How can you be still?"
Never been to the fair city of Vienna myself, but I am sure you'll have a lovely time impersonating Midge Ure with all that dry ice... Jx
PS I hope you are not going to teach the unsuspecting Viennese to strategically communicate the word "concertizing"...
I beg your pardon. "Concertizing" is a perfectly cromulent word!
DeleteLesson one - how to embiggen your vocabulary? Jx
DeletePerhaps a side trip to Salzberg, and then up to a high mountain meadow, so you can throw out your arms, turn in circles and proclaim that the hills are alive with the sound of Muscato?
ReplyDeleteWell, I am packing my dirndl...
DeleteBeen there twice. It's an odd place. Be on your guard. They like order. LOTS of order. Don't misspeak, misstep, or drop the smallest bit of paper onto the sidewalk. Not even accidentally. There is a right way for everything in Vienna. Your safest bet is not to enjoy anything.
ReplyDeleteIn WWII, they lost an entire generation of men, leaving them for decades with an entire generation of embittered aging Aryan widows keeping a resentful eye on everything. They made their mark.
There is much to appreciate there. So little to enjoy.
Oof - divine. And so compact! The Klimts are exceptional (and everywhere). 'Judith' in the Belvedere is far more exultant than any reproduction can suggest, and the murals in the Kuntshistoriches are a sight to behold. Local colour would also be the the Aida range of cafe/cakeshops & Doran for sandwiches and snacks. Easy to walk past and ignore, but actually fast, cheap and fun. Cafe Zentral fairly drips of The 3rd Man (and was actually used in the movie), and Palais Ephrussi (the Hare with the Amber Eyes), is nearby to boot.
ReplyDeleteOne thing the guidebooks rarely mention is the "Dorotheum", a local art and furniture auction house. Many branches, but the main one (just off Kartnerstasse), is a treasure trove of fin de siecle furniture and bric-a-brac. Enjoy!
Anything called a "Dorotheum" must be worth a visit... Jx
Deleteoh, and the Loos (American) bar is a bit of a gem as well.
ReplyDelete