It's Payback, European Style! A trip to Bavaria & Austria for DIS friends! - Travel Complete! It's a Wrap! 11/2

[franandaj]

Day 9

Today we were heading out of town again to St. Wolfgang an Salzkammergamut. They were picking me a up at 8:15 this morning, and my alarm went off at 6:30AM. I slept all the way until it woke me up.

I got dressed and was pleased to find that my ice cubes had formed overnight. This one baggie produced enough cubes to fill my whole water bottle.

This morning at breakfast I wanted to try something different than the standard 2 rolls, ham, cheese, butter, & marmalade breakfast. This was called Butterbrot mit Käse und Wurst. or in English bread with boursin spread, cheese and deli meat. I also got a soft boiled egg.

I decided to go back to a Grosser Brauner (which means double Espresso with cream) for my hot beverage. The thing is a double Espresso doesn't last very long as far as sipping goes, but it does have the kick I need to get going in the morning.

Karin insisted that I try a Kipferl, which was invented at the same time coffee was discovered. Vienna was surrounded and held at siege by the Turks. When the Austrians vanquished them, their camps were left in tact. There were many sacks of beans left behind. They didn't know what to do with them, but they smelled good. The Austrians figured out how to grind and brew them, and coffee was discovered in Europe by Julias Meindl.

At the same time to commemorate the victory of the vienneise over the Turks a roll was made in the shape of the image on the Turkish flag, and this is how the Kipferl was created.

To go along with my Kipferl I ordered a Cappucino, if you're counting this is Espresso shot #3 and it's not even 9AM yet!

As we left the eating establishment rain began to fall, just sprinkles for now, but just wait there would be more!

We got on the Motorway and I felt no need to take any photos as the Motorway is just as picturesque as almost any other Motorway with your obligatory McDonald’s, KFC, and other fine dining establishments.

We went through a tunnel through the mountain that was over a mile long it was 2119m which is about 1 ⅓ miles.

Soon we were in a relatively rural area of the region.

There was a small automated store that sold only products produced in the region. There was a specific item that Karin and Tom were wanting to purchase from here. I was astonished at the concept of an automated store. In the US, it would be looted on opening day.

I got some of their ice cream, gingerbread flavor. It was very good. Also some natural gummi bears.

Then we drove around to the other side of the lake to a cute little town called St. Wolfgang. It would have been a lot cuter, if it hadn’t been raining out. We parked the car at the top of the hill and began to walk down towards the lake.

We looked in a couple shops and then decided to go to the cafe in this nice building for some cake and coffee.

I wasn’t hungry for any cake, so I just had a coffee (trying not to drink so much wine in the middle of the day). This is Espresso shot #4 for anyone who is counting.

The family that operates this cafe has been doing so for 17 generations. They have also been making lebkuchen or Gingerbread since 1520. Notice that little piece of cake on the plate next to my coffee. That’s a chunk of Gingerbread.

Then we went into the gingerbread shop and I bought some to take with me.

Across the street was a distillery shop where I bought some interesting flavors of Liqueurs. I still have yet to crack any of them open yet.

Also if the shop isn’t open and you need your fix, they have a vending machine for your convenience.

After making some purchases at the liquor store we headed in another direction. We passed this dress shop. One of those dresses in there will set you back about €700-900! This one is even more and it’s pretty ugly too!

We passed by this view of the lake. They told me that this town is very expensive and one of the hotels we passed would run you €900 for a standard room. More if you wanted a lake view.

Karin and Tom wanted to buy some salt, so we went to a salt store. I waited outside and took some pictures in the street. Temperatures in the stores were very warm while it was chilly outside. I didn't want to keep taking my jacket on and off so I just waited in the cold.

To get back to the car we had to climb a super steep hill, and it was very long. I had to stop at least once and take a rest just to get to the top. There was a very nice view from the top of the hill. But alas my pictures didn’t come out so good due to the rain.

Then we were back on the road. I was sad that I missed the pretty views we might have had on a sunny day. As we left the area, I snapped pictures out the window hoping I would get something. For the most part I got nothing. But I did luck out with a few nice snaps!

The drive back to Linz took about an hour and I had a couple hours to kill before they were going to pick me up for dinner. I did my last round of laundry for the trip and I would have all the clean clothes I needed to make it home. I enjoyed another glass of “wine in the room” while I did the laundry.

They picked me up around 6:15 and we headed to another Austrian Style restaurant. Originally our dinner reservation had been at another place for 8PM when Karin thought that we would spend longer in St. Wolfgang. The weather put a damper on that plan, so we ended up back in Linz much earlier than expected. She was able to get a 6:30 dinner time here and they even had the elusive dish I had been searching for!

I started off with this Leek and Potato Soup, which was AMAZING! The dish was packed with flavor in a subtle but powerful way.

Then I got my Wiener Schnitzel. I know, it's not politically correct to eat veal, which is why I only had it this once. Most everywhere else had ‘“Wiener Schnitzel” Auf Schwein’ which means that it's made from pork. This is how I would make it at home for Fran and I. Wiener Schnitzel is another proprietary item that can only be made from veal in Austria. Otherwise you have to say its "like” Wiener Schnitzel.

For all my waiting, it was so worth it! It was nicely fried on the outside, tender enough to cut with the side if my fork. I didn't even bother with the potatoes and rice. I just ate the meat. I ate both those top patties.

This is what I took home. I was pleasantly surprised they let me take it home.

Here's my steps for today. The rain really made for not a lot of steps today.

And our travels…..

 

[pkondz]

You know perfectly well how old I was then.

I would never reveal (or ask for) a woman's age.

In fact I was of legal drinking age, something that my BF at the time seriously regretted (not that age mattered in Europe). He was especially displeased in Italy when I chose a carafe of wine over a can of coke when one could have had either with their dinner at one of the places we went.

Yeah, I have about a third of it left. I'll eat one or two pieces a day. Some days I forget. I'm still working on my Gummi bears and Milka bars too, but I haven't gotten that far in this TR!

Lasting you a long time!

Yeah, and tie me down too! Oh wait that might have been TMI.

Seeing as this is a family board, I think I'll just and and be bound by the rules of the Dis

I'm not sure enrich is the word that I would use.

Yeah, today it was at least 100 degrees.

I find it fascinating that you live in a place where if you step outside, you burst into flames.

I'm not sure how my friends convinced me but we walked a half a mile in hot temperatures and sun, just to drink some drinks and eat some food.

Gotta stay hydrated, lest ye burst into flames.

Then we walked a half mile back out carrying a bunch of stuff. When you put it that it way it doesn't sound as good as "Hey want to go get some LE HM Tiki Mugs?"

This is when you should ask for a rickshaw.

Well, I'm off the beaten path for your road trips, but if you want to take a flight down here, I have list of fun things for you to do when you visit. And I'll be sure to make some clam chowder! Maybe escape the Great White North in the dead of Winter.

Actually...

I was thinking that maybe someday I'd like to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Canada to USA/Mexico border (or thereabouts)
So, no... not off the beaten path for a road trip at all!

 

[dizneeat]

I haven't commented in quite some time but will go back to where I left off lateron. For the moment I am only going to comment on your last update.

St. Wolfgang an Salzkammergamut

St. Wolfgang IM Salzkammergut - Since you used the Austrian name, I am helping out with spelling.

Butterbrot mit Käse und Wurst. or in English bread with boursin spread, cheese and deli meat.

Butterbrot = Bread and butter usually, but looking at your picture, it looks like they used their homemade yummy curd spread, it's not Boursin cheese.

Grosser Brauner

coffee was discovered in Europe by Julias Meindl

JuliUs Meinl -

eating establishment

This time it was a bakery.

over a mile long it was 2119km which is about 1 ⅓ miles

2119 km = 4 times Austria vom East to West. That would be a really long tunnel.
2119 metre is more like it and would come to 1 1/3 mile. 1 mile = 1609,34 metre

There was a small automated store that sold only products produced in the region. There was a specific item that Karin and Tom were wanting to purchase from here.

We just love to buy mostly regional produce and whenever we are in the area of Abersee, we stock up on what they offer. It is just too good not to bring home.

I was astonished at the concept of an automated store. In the US, it would be looted on opening day.

Another reason why we prefer to live in Europe and just vacation in the US.

I wasn’t hungry for any cake, so I just had a coffee

.... and you missed one of the best cakes we have here - the Cremeschnitte!

Also if the shop isn’t open and you need your fix, they have a vending machine for your convenience.

One of those dresses in there will set you back about €700-900! This one is even more and it’s pretty ugly too!

Yes, there are some really horrible ones, like the one in your photo - but those are the ones that the tourists buy. Austrians would buy a traditional one which comes to around €1000.

They told me that this town is very expensive and one of the hotels we passed would run you €900 for a standard room.

There is a musical about one of the hotels and it is to Austrians what Sound of Music is for Americans. We love the hotel and musical and there were many movies made about it.
No one here really cares for Sound of Music.
We also showed you the "musical notes" of the intro on the hotel itself, remember?

As we left the area, I snapped pictures out the window hoping I would get something. For the most part I got nothing. But I did luck out with a few nice snaps!

Yes, I remember you had a lot of blurry ones, and I am happy this one came out better, even if it is already another lake.

Originally our dinner reservation had been at another place for 8PM when Karin thought that we would spend longer in St. Wolfgang. The weather put a damper on that plan, so we ended up back in Linz much earlier than expected.

Well, actually we would not have spent all day in St. Wolfgang. Remember when I asked if you wanted to see Red Bull headquarters and your answer was - I don't drink it, I don't need to see it. It's on lake Fuschl and is really a sight to see. Also, the drive to lake Fuschl is super picturesque and even part of the Sound of Music tour.



This would have been the first part of what was planned for the afternoon.
The other part would have included salt - remember when we tried to interest you in salt? The Salzkammergut - salt chamber - made the region rich and there are lots of interesting things to see. Since you mentioned that you had salt for the next 10 years and showed now interest we gave up and forgot about the idea of taking you to a salt mine, where you ride a little train, called a Minenhunt into the mountain, then walk further in and slide down the long slides to where the salt is dissolved with water out of the rock and harvested.

it's not politically correct to eat veal

It is politically correct here! It's meat, nothing wrong with it.

 

[jedijill]

Also if the shop isn’t open and you need your fix, they have a vending machine for your convenience.

I have a pic of that vending machine too!

Karin and Tom wanted to buy some salt, so we went to a salt store. I waited outside and took some pictures in the street. Temperatures in the stores were very warm while it was chilly outside. I didn't want to keep taking my jacket on and off so I just waited in the cold.

I bought salt in that shop LOL

For all my waiting, it was so worth it! It was nicely fried on the outside, tender enough to cut with the side if my fork. I didn't even bother with the potatoes and rice. I just ate the meat. I ate both those top patties.

That looks fantastic!

Jill in CO

 

[pkondz]

Today we were heading out of town again to St. Wolfgang an Salzkammergamut.

Say that fast three times.

my alarm went off at 6:30AM. I slept all the way until it woke me up.

You've been going, going, going! I'm not surprised you slept right through.

Ohhhh... So it's single-use, correct?

Yummm...

That's an interesting red silhouette on the creamer. Wonder what it represents?

Karin insisted that I try a Kipferl, which was invented at the same time coffee was discovered.

Really!

When the Austrians vanquished them, their camps were left in tact. There were many sacks of beans left behind. They didn't know what to do with them, but they smelled good. The Austrians figured out how to grind and brew them, and coffee was discovered in Europe by Julias Meindl.

Huh! But I would imagine that it was being brewed for many years in Turkey. Cool little tidbit of info, there.

At the same time to commemorate the victory of the vienneise over the Turks a roll was made in the shape of the image on the Turkish flag, and this is how the Kipferl was created.

That's cool. Kinda like a denser croissant.

To go along with my Kipferl I ordered a Cappucino, if you're counting this is Espresso shot #3 and it's not even 9AM yet!

Not planning on napping today...

We went through a tunnel through the mountain that was over a mile long it was 2119km which is about 1 ⅓ miles.

Um... Somewhere in there are some typos or something. Wait... Ah! Got it. You meant 2.2 (rounding) kms, yes?
Or 2119 meters.

Soon we were in a relatively rural area of the region.

I won't comment on every photo you took of the area, but it looks beautiful. Very much like Bavaria.

I was astonished at the concept of an automated store. In the US, it would be looted on opening day.

Wow. No staff at all? I'm surprised. Not at the lack of looting, but more at the "what do you do if it breaks? Or something won't scan?" aspect.

I got some of their ice cream, gingerbread flavor

Yumm! (again)

Then we drove around to the other side of the lake to a cute little town called St. Wolfgang. It would have been a lot cuter, if it hadn’t been raining out.

It sure is picturesque!

cake and coffee.

mmmm.... yummm!!! (AGAIN!)

I wasn’t hungry for any cake, so I just had a coffee

Wasn't... hungry... for... cake.........

Lady, there's always room for cake! This is torte we're talking about! You can't get that at home! (Well... not easily.)

This is Espresso shot #4 for anyone who is counting.

No nap and no sleep tonight either!

The family that operates this cafe has been doing so for 17 generations.

Wow! That's incredible!

Then we went into the gingerbread shop and I bought some to take with me.

How could you not?!?

Across the street was a distillery shop where I bought some interesting flavors of Liqueurs. I still have yet to crack any of them open yet.

I'd never do that. But you know me. So many liqueurs that I don't like.
But if I have a cocktail that I like, I'd buy that liqueur.

Also if the shop isn’t open and you need your fix, they have a vending machine for your convenience.

Huh! Another thing you're not likely to find on this side of the pond.

This one is even more and it’s pretty ugly too!

Disagree. I think it's more of a classic European style dress. Maybe not suitable for over here, but over there?

They told me that this town is very expensive and one of the hotels we passed would run you €900 for a standard room. More if you wanted a lake view.

we went to a salt store.

Wait... this was a store that only sold salt???

To get back to the car we had to climb a super steep hill, and it was very long. I had to stop at least once and take a rest just to get to the top.

I enjoyed another glass of “wine in the room” while I did the laundry.

Had to tie you down and pour it in, huh?
Surprised you didn't have coffee.

They picked me up around 6:15 and we headed to another Austrian Style restaurant.

They sure are being generous hosts!

I started off with this Leek and Potato Soup, which was AMAZING! The dish was packed with flavor in a subtle but powerful way.

Yum! (once again)

Then I got my Wiener Schnitzel. I know, it's not politically correct to eat veal, which is why I only had it this once.

I don't care if it's not "politically correct"... Yum!!!!! (Another Yum!)

Wiener Schnitzel is another proprietary item that can only be made from veal in Austria. Otherwise you have to say its "like” Wiener Schnitzel.

Do you mean it's proprietary in Austria, or do you mean you can only call it Wiener Schnitzel anywhere as long as it's made from veal?

This is what I took home. I was pleasantly surprised they let me take it home.

Doggy bags not a thing there? (I don't remember... or... we never did as we were always on the move and it wouldn't keep and no microwave in room anyway.)

 

[pkondz]

JuliUs Meinl -

Oh! Thanks!
Gee, that was quick. I got the answer even before I asked the question.

2119 km = 4 times Austria vom East to West. That would be a really long tunnel.
2119 metre is more like it and would come to 1 1/3 mile. 1 mile = 1609,34 metre

That threw me too for a second. I knew there was something wrong, then realized it was just a typo. km vs m.

 

[dizneeat]

Guess I better chime in right away ..

Say that fast three times.

Salzkammergut - Salzkammergut - Salzkammergut
Easy peasy if it's spelled correctly.

.... Im Salzkammergut da kamma guat lusti sei!

Ohhhh... So it's single-use, correct?

Yes it is. There are 4 cubes in a row when frozen and you can rip off as many as you need and keep the rest frozen. Easier to take with you than an ice-cube tray.

Huh! But I would imagine that it was being brewed for many years in Turkey. Cool little tidbit of info, there.

I think Alison gave a review in a nutshell. Coffee was long known in Turkey and the east. But after the Turkish siege of Vienna that was unsuccessful they left everything behind including many bags of unroasted coffee beans. They also found some roasted ones and figured out what to do with them. The drink quickly became popular and the first coffee houses were founded.

That's cool. Kinda like a denser croissant.

Actually there are many stories that the croissant originated from the Kipferl. A legend tells that an Austrian baker went to live in France and produced Kipferl. He then changed the dough and the name and voila - the croissant was born.
Learned that story on a Foodie tour in Paris when he realized that we were Austrian .....

Wow. No staff at all? I'm surprised. Not at the lack of looting, but more at the "what do you do if it breaks? Or something won't scan?" aspect.

No staff at all. None needed. People are honest and if the need arises the owner lives just across the road.

Lady, there's always room for cake! This is torte we're talking about! You can't get that at home! (Well... not easily.)

That's what I say. Especially if a shop is famous for something and they have the yummiest of Cremeschnitten. Old recipe!

Wow! That's incredible!

Yes, Roland just handed over the shop to his son Sebastian. I still know Roland from way back when and am happy that he and his son keep up the old traditions and don't change too many recipes.

Disagree. I think it's more of a classic European style dress. Maybe not suitable for over here, but over there?

Disagree! No Austrian in their right mind would like to be seen in a dress in that pattern - style YES, check my responses to see a real one. That pattern dress is something that you would see an overseas tourist buy.

Wait... this was a store that only sold salt???

YES!! Just salt ... in many different flavours. Salt is what made the area famous and rich and salt is still harvested there and sold.

Do you mean it's proprietary in Austria, or do you mean you can only call it Wiener Schnitzel anywhere as long as it's made from veal?

It can only be called a Wiener Schnitzel if it is made from veal, otherwise it's Schnitzel Wiener Art. That goes for anywhere, not just Austria. Like real Parmesan needs to be Parmigiano Reggiano from the Parma region or Champagne needs to be from the Champagne region in France or otherwise it's Sparkling Wine.

Doggy bags not a thing there?

No, not a thing here. You are sometimes (but not very often) offered a "Pensionistensilber" (=Retiree silver = tin foil). Not many locals take things home, our portions are not as huge as American ones.

 

[pkondz]

Salzkammergut - Salzkammergut - Salzkammergut
Easy peasy if it's spelled correctly.

.... Im Salzkammergut da kamma guat lusti sei!

No fair! I can't hear you!

I think Alison gave a review in a nutshell. Coffee was long known in Turkey and the east. But after the Turkish siege of Vienna that was unsuccessful they left everything behind including many bags of unroasted coffee beans. They also found some roasted ones and figured out what to do with them. The drink quickly became popular and the first coffee houses were founded.

Yes, I think that's almost word for word, exactly what Alison wrote.

Actually there are many stories that the croissant originated from the Kipferl. A legend tells that an Austrian baker went to live in France and produced Kipferl. He then changed the dough and the name and voila - the croissant was born.
Learned that story on a Foodie tour in Paris when he realized that we were Austrian .....

Interesting! And makes sense, given the same general shape.

No staff at all. None needed. People are honest and if the need arises the owner lives just across the road.

Yes, that's what I said. Not the looting but if there was a problem. It would be less than ideal if every time you had a scanning issue, you had to go across the road and find the owner!

Disagree! No Austrian in their right mind would like to be seen in a dress in that pattern - style YES, check my responses to see a real one. That pattern dress is something that you would see an overseas tourist buy.

I bow to your far greater knowledge of both local customs and dresses!
And yet... I know of at least one overseas tourist who found it ugly.

YES!! Just salt ... in many different flavours. Salt is what made the area famous and rich and salt is still harvested there and sold.

Cool!

It can only be called a Wiener Schnitzel if it is made from veal, otherwise it's Schnitzel Wiener Art.

That's pretty much what I knew. Glad you could confirm. I'm sure Alison would have too, given the chance.

That goes for anywhere, not just Austria. Like real Parmesan needs to be Parmigiano Reggiano from the Parma region or Champagne needs to be from the Champagne region in France or otherwise it's Sparkling Wine.

Correct. You get a gold star.

Not many locals take things home, our portions are not as huge as American ones.

I believe this would prove otherwise...

 

[dizneeat]

No fair! I can't hear you!

You'll have to take my word for it.

Yes, I think that's almost word for word, exactly what Alison wrote.

It would be less than ideal if every time you had a scanning issue, you had to go across the road and find the owner!

That's what the call button is for.

I bow to your far greater knowledge of both local customs and dresses!

You hit the nail on the head!

And yet... I know of at least one overseas tourist who found it ugly.

And even if that one overseas tourist would have liked it it would have way out of her price range.

Correct. You get a gold star.

Perfect! Goes into the sock drawer.

I believe this would prove otherwise...

You are right!
Once we figured out that our guest was on a very limited budget, we had to cancel some of the high end restaurants in favour of ones that were less expensive and less exclusive. in an upscale restaurant there would only be one piece of meat, not three. And there would not be so much rice and potatoes going with it. This is more intended to fill you up and if you can't finish you ask for the Pensionistensilber.
A real good one looks like this and I bet even you could finish it as the meat needs to be thin and the breading is your "starch".

 

[franandaj]

I would never reveal (or ask for) a woman's age.

In our case just look at yours for six months out of the year and they are the same. Although you're getting close to a milestone that I don't hit until next year.

Lasting you a long time!

I don't eat a lot of sweets.

Seeing as this is a family board, I think I'll just and and be bound by the rules of the Dis

I see what you did there.

I find it fascinating that you live in a place where if you step outside, you burst into flames.

And Friday we hit a record 109° in Long Beach.

Gotta stay hydrated, lest ye burst into flames.

This is when you should ask for a rickshaw.

Wish that was an option.

Actually...

I was thinking that maybe someday I'd like to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Canada to USA/Mexico border (or thereabouts)
So, no... not off the beaten path for a road trip at all!

Well I live 1 mile from PCH! Olga's room is available most of the time. There are only a few guests who have priority privileges.

 

[franandaj]

I haven't commented in quite some time but will go back to where I left off lateron. For the moment I am only going to comment on your last update.

Fair enough.

2119 km = 4 times Austria vom East to West. That would be a really long tunnel.
2119 metre is more like it and would come to 1 1/3 mile. 1 mile = 1609,34 metre

It's been fixed.

Yes, there are some really horrible ones, like the one in your photo - but those are the ones that the tourists buy. Austrians would buy a traditional one which comes to around €1000.

Even so that's still very expensive.

It is politically correct here! It's meat, nothing wrong with it.

Slaughtering baby calves is OK in Austria? I guess you don't have a chapter of PETA in your country.

 

[franandaj]

I have a pic of that vending machine too!

Really?

I bought salt in that shop LOL

I don't need fancy salt. I probably couldn't tell the difference.

That looks fantastic!

I think it was one of my favorite meals! It was very tasty, and I especially enjoyed the potatoes and rice with it! Made for great breakfast for the next two days!

 

[franandaj]

You've been going, going, going! I'm not surprised you slept right through.

This was a rather active trip!

Ohhhh... So it's single-use, correct?

Yes, you have to tear it open to get the ice cubes out.

Yummm...

I was a little weirded out by the green and red things in the sliced meat, but it turned out to be OK.

Not planning on napping today...

Well you know what? That was my intent to point out by counting the number of shots of espresso I had that day. However, I was so pleased with the Schnitzel that I completely forgot to add that I couldn't fall asleep. I think I will add that to the beginning of the next chapter.

Um... Somewhere in there are some typos or something. Wait... Ah! Got it. You meant 2.2 (rounding) kms, yes?
Or 2119 meters.

Yup, I fixed it. Sorry, I don't know my metric system and distances. They're just words to me. I don't think in meters and kilometers!

I won't comment on every photo you took of the area, but it looks beautiful. Very much like Bavaria.

Thank you! It was a very beautiful area.

Wow. No staff at all? I'm surprised. Not at the lack of looting, but more at the "what do you do if it breaks? Or something won't scan?" aspect.

That too.

Wasn't... hungry... for... cake.........

Lady, there's always room for cake! This is torte we're talking about! You can't get that at home! (Well... not easily.)

If you had any idea how full I was getting by this point in the trip. Even if we were not eating at exclusive restaurants and such, the amount of food was just overwhelming! You'll see me eat a normal breakfast on tomorrow's post, and then go on to eat more than I would eat for an entire morning after that.

No nap and no sleep tonight either!

Will be noted coming up!

I'd never do that. But you know me. So many liqueurs that I don't like.
But if I have a cocktail that I like, I'd buy that liqueur.

Some of them did sound good like Raspberry and there is Elderflower. Jill and I had a cocktail with that about a month ago and we were going to recreate it at my house, but we didn't.

Huh! Another thing you're not likely to find on this side of the pond.

Disagree. I think it's more of a classic European style dress. Maybe not suitable for over here, but over there?

It's gaudy and ugly.

Wait... this was a store that only sold salt???

Evidently......

Had to tie you down and pour it in, huh?
Surprised you didn't have coffee.

I think I'd had enough coffee for the day!

I don't care if it's not "politically correct"... Yum!!!!! (Another Yum!)

I know. I had to have it once, but I feel bad creating a market for veal no matter how delicious it is.

Do you mean it's proprietary in Austria, or do you mean you can only call it Wiener Schnitzel anywhere as long as it's made from veal?

It has to be made from veal to call it Wiener Schnitzel.

Doggy bags not a thing there? (I don't remember... or... we never did as we were always on the move and it wouldn't keep and no microwave in room anyway.)

No, unfortunately doggy bags are not a common thing over there. I was able to take my food home from two restaurants and that made me very happy!

 

[pkondz]

You'll have to take my word for it.

That's just it... I can't hear the word!

That's what the call button is for.

Ah! That wasn't made clear. So there is an attendant. You just have to push the button. I imagine that things usually go smoothly and their presence isn't required very often.

You hit the nail on the head!

Well, my dad was a carpenter, so... I've had some experience in that area.

in an upscale restaurant there would only be one piece of meat, not three. And there would not be so much rice and potatoes going with it. This is more intended to fill you up and if you can't finish you ask for the Pensionistensilber.

Exactly like over on this side of the pond, then. Thanks!

A real good one looks like this and I bet even you could finish it as the meat needs to be thin and the breading is your "starch".

I don't know for sure that I could finish it, but... I'd be willing to try!

In our case just look at yours for six months out of the year and they are the same. Although you're getting close to a milestone that I don't hit until next year.

Pretty sure I'm outdistancing you...

I see what you did there.

And Friday we hit a record 109° in Long Beach.

It must be so interesting to see the sidewalks with little piles of ash where people once stood... screaming... on fire...

Well I live 1 mile from PCH! Olga's room is available most of the time. There are only a few guests who have priority privileges.

There ya go! I know that I did a small section of it from LB to San Diego last time I was there... Now need to do the rest of it.
And... do I have to share the room with Leonard? Is he a cuddler?

Yes, you have to tear it open to get the ice cubes out.

I was pretty sure that would be the case. Karin was kind enough to confirm it.

I was a little weirded out by the green and red things in the sliced meat, but it turned out to be OK.

Yeah... I must admit that I don't typically buy that when I buy deli meats.

Yup, I fixed it. Sorry, I don't know my metric system and distances. They're just words to me. I don't think in meters and kilometers!

That's okay.
Don't even ask me how I do my measurements... I like weights in Imperial, distances in either Imperial or metric (depending on the situation), volume... The list goes on...

If you had any idea how full I was getting by this point in the trip. Even if we were not eating at exclusive restaurants and such, the amount of food was just overwhelming! You'll see me eat a normal breakfast on tomorrow's post, and then go on to eat more than I would eat for an entire morning after that.

Standing by for the huge food intake!

It's gaudy and ugly.

Okay. This is really subtle... are you saying you don't care for it? Not quite sure...

I think I'd had enough coffee for the day!

I know. I had to have it once, but I feel bad creating a market for veal no matter how delicious it is.

It has to be made from veal to call it Wiener Schnitzel.

I was 99% sure that's what you meant, but figured I'd make it a 100% by asking.

 

[franandaj]

Pretty sure I'm outdistancing you...

I'm pretty sure that's not how aging works.

It must be so interesting to see the sidewalks with little piles of ash where people once stood... screaming... on fire...

Nah, that doesn't happen here, maybe in Palm Springs where the temperatures are like 120° and higher.

There ya go! I know that I did a small section of it from LB to San Diego last time I was there... Now need to do the rest of it.
And... do I have to share the room with Leonard? Is he a cuddler?

The only cuddles you'll be getting in that bedroom would be if you let in one of the feline residents.

Standing by for the huge food intake!

Well I wouldn't say it's a huge food intake, but way more than I would at home.

 

[franandaj]

Day 10

So you know how yesterday I was giving you my espresso shot count…I had four total throughout the day. Well even with a couple glasses of wine with dinner, I was still wired when they brought me back to the hotel. Like super awake! I was back in the room well before 8 o’clock and according to my fitbit, I didn’t fall asleep until midnight. It was at that point that I decided when we sat down in the afternoon at a cafe/konditorei/or whatever tf you call it, I was going to just drink wine. Coffee just gets me too amped up. And I mean wine in Europe costs the same as a soda, so I might as well enjoy the calories.

So with a late nighty night time, we would be getting another relatively early start today. Because I had leftovers I ate half of them before I left the room, hoping to save a little bit on my breakfast bill. And since most meals didn’t come with vegetables, I’m having my Tomato Juice that I bought with breakfast.

Now at home this breakfast would have me good until I eat dinner. And I would be hungry by the time dinner rolled around. But as you'll see that's not the case today.

Today we went to an Italian breakfast spot in the mall. I think this was the 4th time that we had parked in this lot so far this week. The previous day Karin had ordered a coffee called a Häferlkaffee. It was essentially coffee with milk and foam In an American sized coffee mug. I decided that was what I was going to try. Unfortunately since we were at an Italian spot, they didn't serve that. So I was back to the Grosser Braun (double Espresso with cream).

Since I had “pregamed breakfast” (and not in the sense of pregaming before going out for a night of partying), I ordered light. I went with a bowl of fresh fruit with yogurt, and an Italian croissant. It was good and just the right amount but it really didn't help save any money. I was still in for about $16 for this meal.

Here's a couple pictures of this mall that I'd walked through several times now this week.

Then we made our Way out of town following the Danube.

We stopped in the town of Grein for some Eis and photos.

This is the view of the river from where we parked.

Here’s looking back at that same large building from the other side. Notice the orange and blue building in the foreground.

Do these folks look familiar?

Another picturesque building.

This roadside mural shows various important aspects of Grein.

More buildings…..

I think there was a boat that went back and forth across the river. I could be totally wrong.

Everyone had some Eis, I do know that. Just don’t remember what flavor.

They pointed out how the town has been flooded many times. This represents the different floods in different years and how high the water rose.

These plates allow them to put up flood walls when the river rises and can control up to about 13 ft of river.

This map was posted near the lot where we were parked. Grein is right in the center.

I wish I could take credit for this picture, but it was posted next to the map.

We continued to drive by the side of the river. Karin pointed out that it was called the romantic road.

Eventually we came to a church that was high up on the hill. We had great views of the Danube from this vantage point.

The Church’s name was Maria Taferl, and was beautiful.

Just take a took at the inside!

A view of the organ.

After viewing the Sanctuary, we went into a small room where you could give a donation for some tealight candles. Karin made a donation and told me to pick one for Fran.

Now, I’m not sure if I’ve shared on TRs that ever since Fran passed, she has occasionally chosen to communicate with me. At the Mortuary when I was picking up her ashes, when the lady was giving me the package with her ashes, Fran came into my head and said, “You know that’s not me in there Darlin’.” And on a few other occasions she has said other random things to me.

Karin and I lit our candles.

As we left the small room, Karin turned to me and said, “I lit one for Fran too, but I think it means more if it comes from you.”

Instantly a voice in my head boomed out “I don’t give a !”

I was a bit stunned and it took me moment to figure out that it was indeed Fran sending me a communication. I'm not sure if she's actually told me anything since that day, but she has communicated to me through our doctor.

Then we got back on the road.

I’ll be back later with the rest of the day!

 

[pkondz]

Will read the update later. Things to do!

I'm pretty sure that's not how aging works.

Fine. Have it your way.

Nah, that doesn't happen here, maybe in Palm Springs where the temperatures are like 120° and higher.

Not even ashes left. Just... <poof>. Gone.

Very sad.

The only cuddles you'll be getting in that bedroom would be if you let in one of the feline residents.

Been over 30 years since that's happened.

 

[pkondz]

Well even with a couple glasses of wine with dinner, I was still wired when they brought me back to the hotel.

I was back in the room well before 8 o’clock and according to my fitbit, I didn’t fall asleep until midnight.

Ugh. I hate those kind of nights. I have far too many.

cafe/konditorei/or whatever tf you call it

Coffee bar.

Now at home this breakfast would have me good until I eat dinner. And I would be hungry by the time dinner rolled around. But as you'll see that's not the case today.

When on vacation...

It was essentially coffee with milk and foam In an American sized coffee mug.

I don't drink coffee (although I've had 2 this month! That's more than I've had in... Actually I've never had 2 in the same year, let alone month) so couldn't differentiate, but this sounds to me like a Café au lait (France).
Then again... it's probably completely different!

I went with a bowl of fresh fruit with yogurt, and an Italian croissant.

That sounds just right.

I was still in for about $16 for this meal.

That is pretty pricey for that.

Pretty

Nice view!

Even better.

Do these folks look familiar?

Uh, oh... now that you published it, Disney will be after them!

Everyone had some Eis, I do know that. Just don’t remember what flavor.

mmmm...

This represents the different floods in different years and how high the water rose.

So high!

These plates allow them to put up flood walls when the river rises and can control up to about 13 ft of river.

Whoa! That's very impressive.

I wish I could take credit for this picture, but it was posted next to the map.

I was just about to congratulate you on your photog skills!

Karin pointed out that it was called the romantic road.

Huh! I didn't know there was one in Austria. I've driven almost all of the one in Germany.

Just take a took at the inside!

Gorgeous.

After viewing the Sanctuary, we went into a small room where you could give a donation for some tealight candles. Karin made a donation and told me to pick one for Fran.

Nice of her.

At the Mortuary when I was picking up her ashes, when the lady was giving me the package with her ashes, Fran came into my head and said, “You know that’s not me in there Darlin’.”

That sounds like her, from what you've told me about her.

As we left the small room, Karin turned to me and said, “I lit one for Fran too, but I think it means more if it comes from you.”

Instantly a voice in my head boomed out “I don’t give a !”

Well, she certainly came through loud and clear!

 

[franandaj]

Will read the update later. Things to do!

Well I certainly gave you plenty of time to come back!

Been over 30 years since that's happened.

Sounds like you need to fix that! Right now I have one pawing at me trying to get me to pet her instead of type.

Ugh. I hate those kind of nights. I have far too many.

Oddly enough, I rarely have nights like that. It's more like I fall asleep before my head hits the pillow and I have look at the data from my fitbit to find out when I went to sleep. Like last night, I was out at 8:30PM and I got a bunch of texts after I went to bed.

I don't drink coffee (although I've had 2 this month! That's more than I've had in... Actually I've never had 2 in the same year, let alone month) so couldn't differentiate, but this sounds to me like a Café au lait (France).
Then again... it's probably completely different!

Similar, but the Café au lait doesn't have whipped cream on top of it. I like those too.

What pray tell caused you to have 2 coffees in a month?

That is pretty pricey for that.

Well, it also included the coffee.....or double espresso with milk.

Uh, oh... now that you published it, Disney will be after them!

I was just about to congratulate you on your photog skills!

Sometimes I get good ones, but I can't claim credit for that one.

That sounds like her, from what you've told me about her.

Well, she certainly came through loud and clear!

And I think that's the last time that she has actually talked to me inside my head. She came to an appointment that I had with our doctor back in July, and had some nice things to say, but I don't think she's actually said anything to me.

 

[franandaj]

Hey folks! Sorry about the long absence! It's been a crazy last month between visiting my folks at the beginning of the month, Jill coming to visit here, and then me going to British Columbia two days after Jill left. Since I got back from that trip, it's been a constant catch up between the buildings, taking cats in for their annual checkups, and just life!

In two weeks I will be aboard the Disney Dream departing from Southampton to Ft. Lauderdale. So hang on to your hats! I'm going to see if I can wrap up this TR before I go!

After the leaving the church, we resumed our journey along the Danube. I loved how there would be an old castle with a modern building right in front of it.

Another cruise ship on the Danube.

Soon We would be arriving at our destination. We parked the car and headed into
Dürnstein. This is the remnants of Dürnstein Castle where Richard the Lionhearted was held prisoner at one time.

The vineyards were beautiful.

Then we entered the town.

We were going to the restaurant named for a musician who allegedly freed Richard the Lionhearted, when he was being held prisoner at Dürnstein Castle. I do not remember the story and can not find any reference to it online, but suffice to say this is where we were heading as we meandered through the town.

Here is the restaurant.

It was a nice day and we were seated in a pretty patio area.

I told Karin that I could either eat an appetizer or a dessert but not both. She coerced me into ordering this soup, which was delicious and had gneiss knopfel. It was a sort of dumpling, and Google translate can’t tell what it is, but thinks it’s a metamorphic rock. It tasted a lot better than that.

And then I ordered this Wachauer Rostbraten (braised cutlet of beef in a sauce of apricots and wine.) This was a dish, typical of the region, which was known for it’s apricots. It was so good and I ate almost every last bit, and regretted it because I was so stuffed, I couldn’t eat anything for the rest of the day, pretty much.

I couldn’t have dessert. While Karin and Tom ordered desserts and they were absolutely huge, I ordered this glass of apricot liqueur for my dessert.

We walked around, there was this place. We could have gone inside, but Karin mentioned that there was a charge to get in. I didn’t quite understand what she meant at the time, but now I get it.

I took this artsy fartsy picture.

And then we went back to this main road where we looked at the shops.

I’m not sure what I was looking for in the shops, but I really didn’t find it. I’ve become very selective about what I buy, because at this point, I’m trying to get rid of stuff, not accumulate more. Mostly if I can’t wear it or eat it, I don’t need it. And even then, I have more clothes than I know what to do with, so it needs to be pretty neat for me to want to wear it.

In one of the shops Karin bought me this apricot which had been stewed in the brandy and schnapps for over a year. It was good and the drink was strong. I considered that my dessert beyond the other dessert.

We walked through the shops and I bought a bottle of the Apricot Liqueur. I still haven’t cracked any of those bottles open yet. Outside the shop where I bought the liqueur this guy was playing his violin. I’ve been there (not as a soloist, but my sax quartet used to try to make money playing in tourist type situations), so I gave him a couple Euros.

Then we drove back along the same way that we got there.

Since it was Saturday and nothing would be open on a Sunday, I decided I needed another bottle or two of wine. Just to show you how close the grocery store was to my hotel. I’m standing in front of the hotel and you can see the grocery store sign, just behind the sign for the hotel. The grocery store is called Billa.

Now from the same spot where I took the picture of the grocery store, here is me standing in front of the hotel. See the steps in the corner of the picture where you can reach the street? That close.

So when K&T dropped me off, they said I had about an hour until they would pick me up for dinner. I wasn’t hungry at all. In fact I actually felt sick. I had some chewable antacids and I took one. That helped a little bit. I drank some water, hoping that would help. I’m not sure if it did or not.

I even texted Karin and said that I wouldn’t be able to eat anything at dinner, but I would still come along and maybe have a glass of wine or two. In the end I ordered the cheapest salad that they had on the menu. What I wanted was just a side salad but they didn’t list one on the menu, so I got the appetizer portion of a chicken salad. There was choice of baked or fried, so I chose fried. I had no idea that it was crusted with pumpkin seeds (I don’t read German that well, and I didn’t ask). There was some English on the menu and it said fried chicken so I thought, “what’s not to like?”

It really didn’t matter because I only ate about half of a chicken tender, but I did finish off all the lettuce. I'd hoped that the lettuce would help me digest all that meat and potatoes that I had eaten earlier.

I was back in the room by about 8:15 and I ended up texting Jenny and Jill for about 2 hours before I finally fell asleep. Oh yeah, and I did eventually find enough room to eat some of the Gingerbread that I purchased the day before.

Here’s my stats for the day.