Our itinerary takes next to Vienna and to get there we have to backtrack a bit and then move forward on the intersecting line. So we caught our bus, you remember that they are doing major line work between Cesky Krumlov and Cesky Budejovice, over to the last station that still has train service and proceeded from there. However on the way the bus stops at analog stops where passengers would picked up if the line were intact and that's what we did. At our last stop before meeting the train again there must have been more than 30 people waiting, about 5 adults and the rest little 4-5 year olds. And they streamed on to the bus, Deb and I were in the back where there were open seats, in about 2 minutes there must have been 8 or 9 on the very last row and there were 3-4 on each double seat and they just kept coming on. I realized that we would be overrun so I got up and moved to where I could stand but Deb was trapped! She had another 3 little snappers up on the seat in no time and told me later that one of them would have happily climbed right into her lap but the teacher held her in check.
They were absolutely adorable, open and friendly unlike kids who've been taught to be wary around grownup strangers. They just jumped into seats next to anybody who happened to be sitting there. When we got to where we boarding the train, they got off (with teacher's help down) and were herded into a group and counted before marching off to some great adventure.
Our second train started out 20 minutes late, and we only had an 11 minute connection at Cesky Velenice so we were sure we were going to be stranded at the Czech border, but somehow we managed to arrive only about 3 minutes late and our connecting train was just across the platform waiting. We walked across, got seats, and waited for our ontime departure. We finally started seeing sunshine as we rode across the Austrian countryside, and it certainly is beautiful. Our train stopped at many small towns on the way in to Vienna and we picked up many passengers and let others out. I loved seeing the vineyards in the Austrian countryside, I feel a white wine itch.
Once we got to Vienna we found our hotel and while Deb read and planned, I went out to trade our Czech Crowns into Euros and obtain public transport tickets. Were you aware that there don't seem to be any currency exchange businesses in Vienna? I wasn't, and when I found out I also found out that banks are the only place to exchange currency and further more they were due to close in about 30 minutes. So I reenacted a keystone cops movie and raced around trying to find a bank. It took me 4 banks to find one that could do the exchange, some flatly refused and others closed 2 minutes prior to my arrival, but finally I got to the right one. Too much work for 31 euros, but what would I do with Czech Crowns?
I wasn't carrying my camera and thus missed the somewhat wrenching scene at the railway station where there are Middle-Eastern refugees scattered all about. This is a major crisis for the entire European community, but the Germans and Austrians are stepping up. bravo to them. It's my opinion that a large part of the problem comes back to the U.S., we created a vacuum in governance in the Middle East with no real viable alternatives (only my opinion). But it's a mess now. This weekend is supposed to be sunny and mild, halleluja. We will spend two more complete days here before heading back to Paris and the apartment. Stay tuned.
Our itinerary takes next to Vienna and to get there we have to backtrack a bit and then move forward on the intersecting line. So we caught our bus, you remember that they are doing major line work between Cesky Krumlov and Cesky Budejovice, over to the last station that still has train service and proceeded from there. However on the way the bus stops at analog stops where passengers would picked up if the line were intact and that's what we did. At our last stop before meeting the train again there must have been more than 30 people waiting, about 5 adults and the rest little 4-5 year olds. And they streamed on to the bus, Deb and I were in the back where there were open seats, in about 2 minutes there must have been 8 or 9 on the very last row and there were 3-4 on each double seat and they just kept coming on. I realized that we would be overrun so I got up and moved to where I could stand but Deb was trapped! She had another 3 little snappers up on the seat in no time and told me later that one of them would have happily climbed right into her lap but the teacher held her in check. 
They were absolutely adorable, open and friendly unlike kids who've been taught to be wary around grownup strangers. They just jumped into seats next to anybody who happened to be sitting there. When we got to where we boarding the train, they got off (with teacher's help down) and were herded into a group and counted before marching off to some great adventure. 
Our second train started out 20 minutes late, and we only had an 11 minute connection at Cesky Velenice so we were sure we were going to be stranded at the Czech border, but somehow we managed to arrive only about 3 minutes late and our connecting train was just across the platform waiting. We walked across, got seats, and waited for our ontime departure. We finally started seeing sunshine as we rode across the Austrian countryside, and it certainly is beautiful. Our train stopped at many small towns on the way in to Vienna and we picked up many passengers and let others out. I loved seeing the vineyards in the Austrian countryside, I feel a white wine itch.
Once we got to Vienna we found our hotel and while Deb read and planned, I went out to trade our Czech Crowns into Euros and obtain public transport tickets. Were you aware that there don't seem to be any currency exchange businesses in Vienna? I wasn't, and when I found out I also found out that banks are the only place to exchange currency and further more they were due to close in about 30 minutes. So I reenacted a keystone cops movie and raced around trying to find a bank. It took me 4 banks to find one that could do the exchange, some flatly refused and others closed 2 minutes prior to my arrival, but finally I got to the right one. Too much work for 31 euros, but what would I do with Czech Crowns?
I wasn't carrying my camera and thus missed the somewhat wrenching scene at the railway station where there are Middle-Eastern refugees scattered all about. This is a major crisis for the entire European community, but the Germans and Austrians are stepping up. bravo to them. It's my opinion that a large part of the problem comes back to the U.S., we created a vacuum in governance in the Middle East with no real viable alternatives (only my opinion). But it's a mess now. This weekend is supposed to be sunny and mild, halleluja. We will spend two more complete days here before heading back to Paris and the apartment. Stay tuned.
I giggled enjoying the movie in my head of you running around trying to find a bank to that awful Keystone Kops music. :)
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the cause, the whole refugee crisis is so sad! I can't imagine feeling so desperate to leave a place that I leave with the clothes on my back and no plan. :(
It is truly a desperate situation for so many of them.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about the money changing challenges.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I agree with you about the refugees. As I told you, our train from Paris to London last summer was halted at the Gare because a young man tried to jump onto the roof of the train and got electrocuted. Horrible. Just thinking of it breaks my heart.