Home - Wait - Not So Fast!!

Well, on Monday, the 29th we disembarked our boat, in the snow, and headed to the airport. We had learned the evening before that our flight from New York to Dallas had been cancelled. We arrived at the Vienna airport to be told that no flights to New York or Washington DC were happening. Because all airports were backed up, we were told that it was better for us to stay in Vienna as all hotels in Munich were booked. Austrian Airlines provided us with two nights hotel and food. We were told to come back on Wednesday. Our hotel was right across the highway from the largest indoor mall in Europe, so of course we needed to check it out. It was your typical mall with a brand new H & M. On Wednesday we headed back to the airport and the airline attempted to tell us the same thing and tried to book us as a group. Several of us became quite upset and began to inquire why we couldn't be sent to our home airports. At that point, Austrian Airlines sought permission from Lufthansa to book us that way. It took about half an hour and permission was granted. Things began to fall into place. We were able to fly from Vienna to Frankfurt to Dallas/Fort Worth, but could not do so until Friday the 1st of November. On Friday our flight took off from Vienna without a hitch, but the flight from Frankfurt to Dallas was caught with 15 minutes to spare because we had to go through customs in Frankfurt. There were 6+ lines funneling into one line to go through to the gates. Many of us became a little irritated and finally they let all people holding American passports to go straight through. At that point we were home free. When we landed in Dallas I wanted to cry. Felt so helpless not being able to come home when we were supposed to. I felt like I might not travel for a while because of the ordeal - Nah - already looking for the next adventure.

Cold, Rainy Vienna

Our last stop and 7th country was Vienna, Austria. So very cold on our walking tour of the city centre. I had on 3 shirts, 2 pair of socks, tennis shoes, jeans, jacket and was still cold. Mom thought to bring thermal underclothes, ear muffs, and a heavier coat, but I think she was still cold. We visited the Hundertwasserhaus, the Parliament Building, Burgtheater and Votivchurch. We also saw where the Lipizzaner horses are kept for the Spanish Riding School. Because some of these were seen while driving in the bus, I'll include some from my prior visit. The Hundertwasserhaus is very, very unique. Mom lost $130 Euros here - she thought she put her money back in her purse but didn't. Somebody had an awesome find.

B-R-A-T-I-S-L-A-V-A

Bratislava, Slovakia was our 6th country and we arrived early afternoon on the 27th. Since we were traveling north on the Danube, the weather was getting rainy and cold. Would love to visit Bratislava in the summer - it's a wonderful, picturesque town. We had a walking tour of the old town, including Primate's Palace. Pictures weren't allowed but we were able to sneak some in.

Budapest oh Budapest

The 25th brought us to one of my favorite cities, Budapest. I was here in 2005 and am somewhat familiar with getting around. The boat docked in a very convenient location. There was a tram stop right in front of where we docked and a block away from the large market. Our city tour took us to Hero's Square, Mount Gellert and the Citadel, Castle Hill where we visited Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church and viewed the Parliament Building for our wonderful vantage point. Did a little shopping with vendors along the short walk to the Citadel - Finally!!! Shopping up until now has been almost non-existent. And anyone who knows me knows I LOVE to shop.

Later in the afternoon I took Mom on a walking tour. We started at the large market, then walked along the main pedestrian shopping street, Vaci Utica, and then walked to the Great Synagogue for a tour. It was really cold but was so worth the walk. The Great Synagogue is the 2nd largest in the world next to the one in New York City. There are several mass graves in the courtyard of jews who died or were killed during World War II and beyond the courtyard is the Holocaust Memorial.

Later in the evening we attended a cultural performance on Castle Hill. It was on the order of Stomp but based on the history of Budapest. Was fabulous.

Day two in Budapest took us on an optional tour to Szentendre, an artist's village. We were able to do some shopping. Yes!!!!

The afternoon was free so I took off for St. Stephen's Cathedral. I had been there in 2005 and because it was my first trip with a digital camera, the photos were somewhat blurry. I wanted to retake some photos, visit "the shoes" along the bank and use the tram. "The shoes" were so moving. It was 39 pairs of shoes which represented 39 people who, just days before Budapest was freed during World War II, were taken to the bank of the Danube, told to remove their shoes, put all jewelry etc. in their shoes, and then they were shot. So hard to believe people could be so heartless.

Mohac to Pecs

Wednesday the 24th brought us to Mohac (pronounced Mohach). We took a short bus ride to the art lover town of Pecs (Pache). Beautiful city centre. We went to a wine tasting cellar (wine is very big along the Danube). Had an organ concert in the Pecs Cathedral (where we visited the catacombs), visited Szcheni Square, Kaptalan Street, and Palace of Lorant. Wonderful, wonderful city. So wished we had more time there.

In our walking tour we also came upon an area called lover's corner. It is an area with nothing but locks.

Awesome Novi Sad / Not So Much Vukovar

October 23rd brought us to Novi Sad, Serbia. A wonderful college town and the second largest in Serbia. The old town was absolutely wonderful. Unfortunately we arrived before the shops opened and the town came alive. Our tour began at a wonderful park and then continued on to the beginning of Dunavska Ulica (the main shopping street) where we came upon an older musician.

The Mary Catholic Church was stunning with its coloful roof tiles and spire

Following our city tour we took an optional tour to the Krusedol monastery. We could not take photographs inside, which was a total bummer because it was unbelievable. We set sail about 11:45am for Vukovar, Croatia. We arrived at about 6:30pm. Unfortunately it was dark and very cold. Mom stayed on board the boat to keep from getting more sick. A lot of the shops were already closed but there was someone roasting some sort of nuts on his open flamed cooker.

We were told that unemployment is 32% in Vukovar.

During our tour we were shown one of the older buildings in town which still had the bullet holes from World War II.

B-B-B-Belgrade, Serbia

We arrived in Belgrade early morning and are off for a city tour. First visited was the Kalemegdan Fortress, St. Sava Cathedral, and the pedestrian shopping area. Found a fabulous chocolates shop. Could not resist a purchase. Belgrade is a vibrant city. Later in the day we headed to a Serbian village and had local food and Slivavitz. Oh my goodness, it was like drinking rubbing alcohol. The host, Mosha, must have been immune. He was singing, dancing, and we all had a grand time.