Austria 1968

Wednesday August 28, 1968
 
            Arose at 7, ate breakfast and worked into the shopping area of Innsbruck. Bought some medicine for sore throat and an Edelweiss charm.
            At 10 AM we boarded a bus and went out past a part of the city of Innsbruck. Saw small beautifully planted graveyards and the small gardens with colorful implement tools, which the city people garden for fun. On up the mountainside to see The Olympic ski stadium and the central ski run. We drove to the Basilica – the most beautiful Rococo church in Tyrol. On to the old city via M. Therese Strasse to see the Goldenes Dachl (The golden roof built under Maxmilian in 1500). We were driven to The Panorama, which had a gigantic representation of the battle of Bengisel in 1809. Back to the hotel for lunch.
            We walked to the entrance of the funicular and rode up the mountain in 3 stages. The sky was clear so there were heavenly views. It was cool. The sun was bright, many crow like birds circled around us and several gliders quietly soared overhead. After coming down we took a streetcar to the town, bought some potholders and a woodcarving. Walked back to the hotel to nap a bit before dinner.
            After dinner we went as a group to see a Tyrolean folk evening. There was a group of 2 men + 5 women who sang individually and in groups the yodeling songs were most fascinating. A group of 6 young fellows played drums, trumpet, and clarinet. There was a special zither performer. The dance consisted mostly of square dance like the moments with the couples “slap dancing” of the young men and the banging on metal implements by the dancers in rhythm to the music. The performers seemed to be happy with what they were doing. Back to the hotel and to bed.
 
Thursday August 29, 1968
 
            We boarded our bus a 9 and were on our way out of Innsbruck thru lovely alpine countryside. The barns and farmhouses are adjoining in the higher mountainous regions. We stopped for a coffee break at a farm and saw a hayloft and cows and pigs in the barn. The cows were the cleanest ever – they were being washed by a man. They even tie their tails up!
            We reached the hotel and were rushed to lunch. We are at The Europa. Our bus picked us up at 2:30 for a city tour. We saw many beautiful churches and buildings – saw where Mozart lived, glimpsed many spots where “ Sound of Music” was made. Then a bit of the outskirts. Then were dropped at The Funicular. The Skinners and we went up to the old castle and walked around a bit. Then down and into town for shopping (we bought 2 carved wooden cows). Then we took the bus to the railroad station (which we glimpsed) and on to the hotel to find that we could get seats for the marionette show at the Salzburg Festival. So we quickly dressed, ate an early brunch and went via streetcar to the theater with The Cass couple. We saw a unique production of “The Magic Flute” with excellent recorded music and marionette playing the parts. The American Express group walked to the bus station only to find that no busses were running. So, we came up via taxi to the hotel. To bed, very weary.
 
Friday, August 30, 1968
 
         Had breakfast on the rooftop of The European and then boarded the bus. We left The Austrian Alys and drove along the picturesque courtyards – made a bit dismal by the rain. We passed Enns, the oldest Austrian town (around 700) and came upon Ybbs where we stopped for lunch. I viewed the town while eating. Had a chicken soup, beef sausage, unique fried potatoes, peas and carrots and jelly cake. Had local delicious white wine. Have been waiting for 45 minutes (from 2PM till 2:45) to board a ferry, which will take us across The Danube so that we may load on a boat for a trip along the Danube.
The rains came and by the time the ferry crossed the Danube decided it would make us too late for arrival in Vienna, if we took the Danube trip. So we drove into Vienna and arrived at 5is. We are at The Intercontinental – a new modern hotel overlooking a park and a listened to an orchestra playing waltzes from a bandbox in the park.
            Had dinner at the hotel and then hiked to Kärnten Strasse to look at the so-called “expensive” shops.
 
 
Saturday August 31, 1968
 
            Arose, ate and took a taxi to Mariahilfer Strasse to shop. Sent a capitol dish to Ree, Mom and Zeena and a Spanish reading school horse candle to Sister farm from Herzmansky’s. I bought a gold bracelet ($4) and a marzipan frog for me for my birthday.
            At 12 o’clock we left the hotel and drove thru The Vienna woods past the wine-growing town of Grinzing to the Kahlenberg castle for lunch. We overlooked Vienna from this high hill and glimpsed The Danube.
            At 2:30 we left on a guided tour via bus thru the city. We passed The Russian monument, St. Charles and the Belvedere Palace seeing many sites along the way. The highlight was Schonbrunn Castle (we walked through about 45 rooms). Castle was started in 1694 and completed in 1749 under Maria Theresa. There were 1441 rooms and bath. The formal French gardens were lovely. Saw the Danube Canal, rose gardens surrounding an international ice hockey game. The largest ferris wheel in the world (used in “The Third Man” theme).
            A short nap and at 7:45 we boarded a bus for the night tour. We saw the city in lights and fell in love with it. Our first stop was at a local “Heuragen” in Germany. We had the wine of the owners (we met Fred and Heidi Jones of Miami on the bus). The four of us had 13 wine mugs – (cost $5.40 extra) and chicken to a 3-piece band. I was serenaded by the orchestra and the tour group as Fred announced my birthday. Our second stop was at a Cobenyl place where we looked down on the city while eating “Sacher – Tarte” with coffee. The last stop was at Vienna Palace, Auersberg. We sipped to Kay while listening to piano music in a room with a Brueghel on the wall. And we danced a Strauss waltz here. After delivering the tourists at the various hotels, we (The Jones and Nashes) were dropped at 12:45 at The Intercontinental. And to bed.
 
Sunday September 1, 1968
 
          Arrived via taxi at the art museum at 9 AM. What a wonderful collection! Enjoyed Breughel, Rembrant, Velazquez, Rubens, Tintoretto, and Egyptian, Greek, and Roman remains. Hiked to the view near Hofburg (palace of former empirical family) and took picture. Attended The Spanish riding school exhibition at 10:45, which lasted till 12:15. The horses were elegant and so well trained. 
          Came via taxi to the Kursalon and ate lunch on the terrace overlooking the park. Fed the sparrows bread. Had Sacher-tarte again. Photographed J. Struss’s statue and back to the hotel for a few minutes.
          We left the hotel at 2:15 and walked thru the Viennese streets photographing points of interest in this order: (passed Jovent Hall, monument, and Schwarzenbergplatz) snapped St. Charles Church, Opera (saw Goethe And Shillerplasse) walked past Hofburg Palace, Art museum, Maria Theresa monument and historical museum, photographed rose garden near Hofburg Palace. Then photographed Parliament with City Hall behind. The rounded front of Burg Theater, passed University, but couldn’t photo because of trees in front. On to Votinkirche (neo-Gothic church via taxi to the Intercontinental and a short rest before leaving at 5 for the evening dinner.
          We rode out of Vienna thru rather flat countryside to a small border town where we ate in a cave-like restaurant. The food was Hungarian (paprika seasoned pork or chicken) and there was green wine and Hungarian music. Back to the hotel for a short visit at The Kursalon with The Skinner and Schnitkers for ice cream and dancing and a few waltzes, and seeing 3 couples doing the waltz.