Before I comment on my 18,000+ walk today, the food, and the sites, I need to mention the weather and clothes. If you’ve ever traveled with me, you know that no matter how carefully I pack, I never have to right clothes. This trip was no exception. In my own defense, except for a 4 day trip home, most of 5 weeks in New York. The trip home have me time to unpack and repack, and, at least theoretically, choose the appropriate clothes for New York and Vienna. I thought New York and Vienna would have about the same weather, and I knew that as cold as it was in NY, Vienna would be warmer, so I took some lighter shirts, that is, not heavy sweaters, planning to leave my puffy coat and other clothes that would probably be too warm in New York. It turns out that most of what I brought with me was way too warm and after a very hot walk to Central Europe University and back (most of those 18K steps) I was forced to shop. Several years ago when my friend and colleague Marek and I were due to meet a client in Poland, my bags didn’t show up in Warsaw when I did and the night I arrived, I wound up in a Mango shop searching for something to wear. That store had the perfect stuff at the perfect price then and now. Of course, it’s probably going to get freezing cold. Last summer my friend and colleague Lina and I were in Vilnius to meet a client and the summery August weather felt more like a rainy winter few days – I needed to buy a warmer raincoat and sweater. As I said, I never have what I need. May I should just stop traveling. Well, let’s pretend I didn’t say that.

As I walked, I noticed a sign with something familiar “Belvedere.” Last summer I visited Łazienki Park which is the location of Belvedere Palace. Now, I found myself walking past Belvedere park with two palaces in Vienna!

So many beautiful things to see. Some day I will come back and visit museums, properly see the historic sites, and eat more wonderful food (especially the ice cream). For right now, I’m just absorbing sounds, smells and sights.

As I was walking around this evening I heard a familiar clop, clop and sure enough, like in Krakow, horse-drawn carriages!

I was used to the gold in the Woman in Gold painting by Klimt and all the things sold in Vienna with that theme, but I wasn’t prepared for the gold as the light hit the buildings late in the day.

One thing I miss at home are the wonderful flower sellers in New York, and big cities all over – I was delighted to see them here.