Ok, so sorry, I'm doing it again. Posting the photos the night before and updating with the rest of it the next day. In my defense, I was dead tired and a bit drunk. Overdid the gluwein, but I'm trying to collect all of the mugs. You haven't lived until you've wandered the streets of Vienna, drunk on gluwein, in 30 degree weather...just sayin'
Anyway, thought I'd knock out a bunch of markets today...starting with am Hof. Another picturesque little square with a lovely little market.
I actually quite liked this market. Lots of food stalls and the vendors were actually crafters. I couple of the pottery stalls were very cool, but it was all too large and too fragile to transport in my luggage.
It was quite nice to be there so early in the day as it wasn't too crowded. Most of the crafts were at one end and most of the food was at another, which made it easier to shop.
There was a lot of food! This one seemed more neighborhood and less tourist. I decided to have lunch.
This is a bread bowl filled with cream of pumpkin soup. It was super yummy. Look at how crusty that bread is! The best part was scooping the mushy, soup soaked bread out and eating it in hot mushy spoonfulls. LOL!!
To walk off that lunch, I decided to find another market. This one is the Altwiener (Old Vienna) market, which was very festive and charming.
It's kind of summarized by the sign, very old fashioned.
This one is in a very cool and old area of town. The booths were not much special, but there was live music and a festive atmosphere.
However, in the middle was a whole mini-shop of ornaments. It was lovely and shiny. I did not go in with my awkward backpack.
There was a little stage where musical acts performed. These guys were pretty good and I stuck around for a couple of songs.
However, I needed to get some gluwein, but had to use the WC (toilet). This market did not have a toilet, so I headed back to Kartner Strasse to find a Starbucks or McDonalds. I came across a public toilet and decided that I had no choice at that moment.
The public toilets in Vienna are underground with sets of steps that appear to go down to the subway. They're clearly marked with a "WC" and have separate men and women's next to each other. I was apprehensive, having experienced public toilets in other cities. I don't think I'd been to one the last time I was here.
I took a chance and descended..and was pleasantly surprised. You are met by a porter who takes your 50 cents and escorts you to a private wood paneled bathroom with brass fixtures. It's spotlessly clean and does not at all smell like a public toilet. Well worth the 50 cents.
Afterwards, I retraced my steps. It was now dark and the markets all lit up and festive.
It seems that every market has at one tall, brightly lit tree.
This little market was across the street from am Hof. Just a few booths of organic stuff (it's the organic farm Christmas market). I did walk through, but nothing I needed...
Headed back up to the Old Vienna market to find it even more festive. I headed directly to a gluwein stall...
and enjoyed my second gluwein of the day! I was actually able to find a little bench in a corner and commenced with the people watching.
I finished up and was ready to head off to my next destination....the Big One... Vienna Christmas Dream.
It certainly did not disappoint. It is HUGE and was wall to wall people.
It covers the entire Rathausplatz (park in front of City Hall).
There is a carousel.
A Christmas train.
A ferris wheel.
and an ice skating rink.
My favorite tree was covered in twinkling lights and bows. Lots of selfies being taken here.
Another tree with Town Hall in the back. Another market, another gluwein.
a rather toasted looking Donna. Apparently, three is my limit. I had to find another WC and entered a public toilet unafraid. This one was not as fancy (white tile instead of wood paneling and brass) but just as clean.
I went back for a bit and wandered around. Only thing I ended up buying were some pastries.
A bit buzzed, I did find my way back to my apartment in 30 degree weather. That was fun. Cup of hot tea and one of the pastries accompanied me whilst photo editing.
The other pastry and a cup of coffee 6 hours later and I'm finally writing this...
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