Last day in Vienna for a while...

It’s my last day in Vienna (five weeks has literally flown by!) before leaving for three weeks back in North America.

Started the day with packing a suitcase of clothes and stuff I’m leaving here with somebody from the office. Dropped that off (interesting, old-style apartment building with tall doors and high ceilings), then went off to meet the landlord for the apartment I’ve rented for my return and final two months here starting in mid-November. It’s half a block from Naschtmarkt, the large outdoor market, and a block from Karlsplatz subway station and a direct line to the office. Time for a new neighbourhood.

Went for a walk after to explore areas I haven’t been in yet. I finally got to Café Hawelka (opened in 1939, and the original owner still is at the door to greet everyone as they enter) for a long café melange and some reading. Quite a famous local place, and definitely NOT for non-smokers! http://www.hawelka.at/ is their web site, and some fabulous pictures from inside are online at http://www.foto-welten.de/wien/3.htm

It’s turned quite cold and overcast. Big departure from the first few weeks. Some of the winter street markets are starting to appear in a few of the squares. At the one in these pictures, you can get deli meats from one stall, fresh cheeses from another, breads from somebody else, and then local wines and mulled wines from another, then sit outside, eat and watch the world go by. Terribly civilized. This one was a bit off the tourist track, and no evidence of camera toting gringos around (except me…).

Off to my favourite local schnitzel place, Zu den zwei Liesln, tonight for a final "fix" before heading out. Have a look at http://www.2lieserln.at/