Viennese Impressions

The tourist books (and web sites) are filled with the famous sights in this lively city, so I will note a few everyday things that caught my eye.

The street signs are all in German, although universal symbols help. I was surprised to see so few bilingual signs, but perhaps the tourist trade is so secure, they don’t seem necessary.

That made these “No Camping” signs in English all the more startling, with their silhouette of a Winnebego-style camper. I spotted this one opposite the huge Opera House in the middle of Vienna. Have American tourists seriously tried to camp overnight in this congested area?

Here is another one, by the parklands surrounding Rauthaus (the City Hall built in the late 19th-century), where there are at least parking and grassy areas that might be tempting.

Here’s a view of the Rauthaus on the west side of the central ring of the city. The huge plaza is famous for its Christmas bazaar stands opening in late November, which I plan to visit.

Right now, the big attraction on the plaza is a show of Audi’s new models.

Premium gasoline is selling for 1.128 Euros per liter. That’s roughly 4.5 Euros per gallon or about $6.36. Americans go crazy when gasoline hits $3/gallon.

No wonder small cars are the norm here too. I saw these little two-seaters all over Vienna.

A rare sighting of an American make of car, this one a small model by Ford. The pink sign on the rear says “Tupperware,” another American brand.

Bikes are very popular here too. You see them parked in droves all over the city. These are in front of the Museums Quarter.

They even have their own bike paths, winding through the busiest parts of the city. Bike paths also have their own lights, separate from the pedestrian lights.

Starbucks (which almost singlehandedly taught Americans what good coffee should taste like) has several outlets in Vienna -- more coals to Newcastle? This one is on Mariahilfer Strasse, a very busy shopping street just southeast of the Museums Quarter.

And right across the street is another McDonald’s, which can be found everywhere here.

The perfect ending to my maiden voyage to Vienna: when I asked, the border officer stamped my passport to show my re-entry into Slovakia. He had to rummage for a few minutes in his kit bag to find his stamp, which apparently doesn't get used much.

NOTE: Click on any image in this blog to see it full-size.

Adventures in food

Grocery shopping is great fun for visitors, and prices are very reasonable. The two major options in Old Town are Tesco, a huge UK-based chain all over Europe, and Billa. Both stores have very tiny baskets for shoppers, but since almost everybody seems to be walking home or headed for the tram, you can only buy what you can carry. Both take credit cards. Both also expect you to do your own bagging. Tesco provides free bags. Billa doesn’t, so people bring their own or buy a sturdy Billa shopping bag for 6 SKK (about $0.24). A few brands are familiar (Dannon yogurt, Nestle coffee), but most are not.


Tesco has a big grocery store on the perimeter of Old Town that always seems to be jammed. Along with food, they have a drug store, film developing, currency exchange, and café.

I just read that Tesco is opening stores in Los Angeles next year, though under a different name, “Fresh and Easy.” Note to Tesco: please bring this coffee selection to southern California.

Billa is a local grocery chain with a little outlet near the Opera House. With so many unusual selections, a well-stocked fresh bakery, and great coffee choices, it feels more like shopping at Wild Oats or Trader Joe’s than Ralph’s or Von’s. I especially love the huge selections of cheeses, yogurts, and individual pastries you pick out of bins. Many tourists have heard of the scrumptious pastries in Vienna. They’re here in Bratislava, too.

If you're hungry for American comfort food, there's always McDonald's. The prices and menus are comparable -- except, of course, for the coffee, which is vastly better and includes a nice selection of espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos. They take credit cards, too. This McDonald's is adjacent to the Opera House, with lots of outdoor seating.

NOTE: Click on any image in this blog to see it full size.