Vienna and adventures with locals

After leaving
the bus 

I felt stranded; adrift in a foreign country in which I had limited knowledge of the language: German. Yes, I had high school German but as most of you know, high school language is so inadequate.

I was traveling on a work related trip with my husband. But here we were, in Vienna, and he was feeling ill. In fact he did not leave the hotel until we left for the airport.

This became another solo traveler experience. He was not there to be supportive in the challenges of traveling when you do not know the language. Upon arriving at a hotel located just outside of the ring, we had lunch. Before evening set in, he began to feel ill. My immediate response was to seek out whatever I could to help him feel better. He rejected most suggestions that did not include me going out to get specific foods. Of course, I did that.

That evening, he insisted I go find dinner on my own. Not intimidating, but when I sat down at an outdoor restaurant I found I was unable to translate/read the menu. The waiter was no help. He knew NO English. So, I took my best guess and pointed to an item on the menu I thought I knew. I was wrong, but it was good.

This was a trip in which we had been together part of the time and for over a week I was on my own. He was meeting with his colleagues in Rudolstadt, Germany.  I was at the Salzburg Seminar. So arriving in Vienna together, I expected to have a travel companion. This was not to be the case.

My next challenge was meeting some new friends and a man who was the second to the Minister of Education for Austria. He wanted to take us to a favorite winery. My spouse was too ill to attend so I was on my own. Should I have stayed with him? He insisted I go and he was not a person to argue with on things like this.

There were some uncomfortable moments attempting to find the hotel, which was the meeting point. On my way I walked past some interesting spots including what was clearly x rated establishments, a farmers market which felt more uncomfortable than I expected, and some vacant areas.

Obviously I made it to the hotel. Our Austrian friend warned when he met us that we would need to walk a significant amount and take various forms of transportation. Should I back out or proceed on what could be an adventure? My thought was that I had come this far, so give it a try.

We walked to the ring and boarded the trolley. From there we boarded a bus that traveled well outside the northern outskirts of Vienna along the Danube.

Disembarking from the bus we began to walk along a street. Shortly we were climbing upward through a very narrow alley. OK. Were I to call it quits now, do I know how to get back?

I let my spirit of adventure prevail and continued up the mountainside. As we began our ascent our host pointed out buildings on a mountainside that seemed way far above where we were and said that was our goal.


Now I am well beyond the no return area. Here I am with a person from Austria I really do not know and a couple from Arizona, that again I really do not know.

Had I known what the reality of this trip was, I most certainly would have worn something different and carried less in my bag.  I was slowed by the decisions I had made based upon my expectations. Perhaps I would have opted out.

The Danube from
our locale

Upon arrival at what seemed a venture well beyond what had been promised we sampled various local dishes and wine.  Well, maybe, it was a cultural misunderstanding of communication. From our wooden picnic table we could view the Danube below. Wow did it seem small from our vantage point.

It was dark as we wound our way down the path to the Danube where we would board a bus that would take us back to the Ring. To my amazement our Austrian friend abandoned his American friends before reaching the Ring. Three of us boarded the Ring but quickly they abandoned me and I was adrift.

It was midnight and I was truly uncomfortable. Alone, I was in a city I did not know nor did I know the language.

Our descent

Yes, I was uncomfortable and angry with the Austrian who had not been forthcoming of the details of the outing.

Eventually I made my way to the hotel, but certainly not without a significant level of fear.

Another lesson: when locals offer an experience, get ALL the details.