Welcome to my travel blog!

Thank you for visiting my travel blogspot which reveals the travel stories and photos from my shoestring visit to Europe, the UK and USA in 1988.

I hope you enjoy this virtual revisit to the most exciting travel adventure of my life!!

Chapter 16 HOMEWARD BOUND.

4-II 88. Cold and clear.

It was a happy trip to Frankfurt, my travelling companions...a young girl from Amsterdam, going home from Turkey and a young fellow from the Black Forest who was so much fun, we laughed all the way. He was so entertaining. We were both fans of the Goodies and kept bursting into song, Horst Jankowski's 'A Walk in the Black Forest.'

I arrived at Frankfurt airport at 4pm ready for my departure at 7 pm. This was one flight I didn't want to miss. I was so looking forward to seeing everyone again.

My Malysian flight home.

My lovely travelling companions-Renata from Canberra and Horst from Lake Illawarra.

Some of the very relieved faces waiting to welcome me home.
Gaye and the twins.

Note the top of my little back pack that was my constant companion. (to the left of the picture)

I fulfilled my Shoestring Dream well and truly, saw everything I had ever dreamed of. As you have seen the memories are still with me today. It was a life changing experience empowering me to face the future with no qualms. If I could run around Europe on my own, no one to help me, I could do anything! Well- almost anything.

My sister in travel Janelle used to say,"I'm so glad I gave myself permission to make that journey." I know what she meant. I am glad to this day that I found the courage to go. It was a big leap of faith in myself. I came home a stronger person, and was very pleased with my shoestring efforts, my spending came in under the $5000 goal I had set myself. I was able to visit Europe again twice and gather even more wonderful memories.

Chapter 15 PISA.

1-11-88 Weather beautiful.

It was a three hour trip from Rome in an exceedingly crowded train. Standing room only- I resigned myself to a tiresome journey when I was rescued by a dear little boy (about four years of age.)

He came out of his compartment (I was standing in the corridor ) never spoke a word, never even looked at me but pulled a folding seat out of the wall beside me, sat on it for a moment then folded it back up and resumed his seat. How I mentally blessed him, even though he succeeded in making me look a complete idiot... at least I was a comfortable idiot.

My first view of the Leaning Tower.

I sat down on the lovely manicured green lawn and gazed at this fabulous sight.

I could almost see Galileo standing at the top dropping the two different sized balls, one a musket ball the other made of wood, to test his theory that all free falling objects near the Earth's surface will fall with the same acceleration. Some say this never happened so who knows?

One of many funny pictures taken.

I found the history of the tower interesting. It is the freestanding Campanile or bell tower behind the Cathedral. It began to lean soon after building reached the third floor in 1173, due mainly to poor soil and poorly laid construction.

In 1272 construction resumed. In an effort to compensate for the tilt engineers built the upper floors with one side taller than the other. Because of this the tower is actually curved. The height on the lower side is 55.86 metres and 56.70 on the high side.

There are 296 steps and the top of the tower stands 3.9 metres lower than if it was straight.

Some of the 296 steps.

and the top.

There are seven bells- one for each note of the musical scale.

The tower was closed to the public in 1990 for the first time in 800 years , due to speculation that it was on the verge of collapsing. The Italian government set aside 100bm lire($47 million) and it was reopened in 2001 looking much the same, but after digging out part of the shifting foundations and placing counterweights the engineers say that it is good for at least another 200 years.

After a good look around I decided to continue my journey and not stay the night in Pisa. So back to Florence, then Munich, heading up Frankfurt way where I meet up with my flight home. This is the last time I'll be using lire, back to D.M. tomorrow.

Munich.2-11-88.

Beautiful but cold.

I stayed the night in Florence then headed back to Munich. A pleasant uneventful ride, these trains are very comfortable. I found the scenery changed when approaching Germany, the mountain terrain quite beautiful.

On arrival at 7 pm, I headed straight for Pension Schiller where I had previously stayed, and booked in for two nights.

Next day was freezing, someone told me it was five degrees....brrrr, so most of my exploring was done around heated buildings. Saw the Church, Theatre, back to Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel clock. Wandered around the department stores before finally admitting defeat found an International bookstore, bought a Stephen King novel (Tommy, I think) went back to my lovely warm room, turned up the heater full blast and had an early night. Maybe that battery you spoke about earlier Phloss was starting to wind down!! I wouldn't be any good on your journeys in Russia where you found the temperature 25 degrees below!!!!

Well this was it, my last day in Europe.Train left at 10 54 am to Frankfurt. Good bye Munich.

Now I am....

HOMEWARD BOUND

Chapter 14 ROME.

30-10-88. Weather mild.

At last Rome! High on my bucket list, but not a great welcome. I couldn't find anywhere to stay.

Arriving at mid day it was 2pm before I found a rather seedy pension-20,000 lire. Time now to go exploring. First site was the Coliseum. I caught a bus and there it was! Sitting almost on the footpath (yes I know it was there first) with people nonchalantly walking past totally ignoring this magnificent sight!

Look behind you- it's the Coliseum!!!!
Tick.

I walked all around in wonderment then caught another bus to St Peters. On this bus I struck up a conversation with the most gorgeous looking young priest dressed in white robes. He was from America, working in the Vatican. I wish I had taken a photo of him. He pointed out this glorious building ......

The Altar of the Nation. Sometimes called the Wedding Cake.

We walked to St. Peter's then he wished me well, blessed me and we went our separate ways. Of course St. Peter's lived up to it's reputation. My favourite was Michelangelo's Pieta. Even more so than David. Now behind glass because some deranged person attacked it with a hammer. It is unique among Michelangelo's sculptures as it is the only one signed. His signature is carved into the sash over Mary's breast.

The Pieta 1499. This is one magnificent work of art.

Time to go home (? ) to the pensione where I spent a restless night. Several wooden slats were missing so I hung a blanket up for privacy, determined to find something better in the morning. An early start and I found a nice place 15,000 lire sharing.

Chris's address in Naples.

Good idea a map on the back of the card - but I still got lost.

In a much happier frame of mind I set off once more to explore this wonderful city. Went back to the Vatican for mass ( bumped into my gorgeous priest on the bus again! Was he following me???? I should be so lucky! ) and found contrary to yesterday when I was free to wander around, that barricades had been erected and everyone had to pass a security check. Women's handbags were searched, a gadget passed over their bodies, and men were body searched. Turned out to be the tenth anniversary of Pope John Paul the Second's accession, and he was THERE. What a thrill but of course didn't get up close and personal.

The Pope was quite safe. He has his Swiss Guards on duty .

Someone shared this photo with me.

Off to the Sistine Chapel, reminding myself to be back in time for the Papal Blessing (where he appears on the balcony) but missed it by ten minutes. However seeing the Chapel was worth it. To stand and marvel at that ceiling and know that it took Michelangelo from 1508 to 1512 to complete.

There was some restoration work being done so part of it was covered with what looked like brown paper. This restoration was started in 1984, completed in 1994. Also we were warned to speak in "hushed tones" and as soon as the decibels rose to an unacceptable level a recorded voice would come over a loudspeaker reminding us to BE QUIET!

I conic image of the hand of God giving life to Adam.

Here is another magnet from Louise and Phil. I have a very interesting fridge thanks to them. Actually I have some magnificent presents from their trips. Long may they travel. Not only for the goodies but the stories and photos on their blog is a MUST read for me. I read it again and again and feel as though I have travelled with them. I thank you for all the time you spend on this chore Phloss. I am quite happy to be an armchair traveller at this point in my life.

In the afternoon I found a four hour bus tour for 6,000 lire - wonderful value. We went everywhere.

Went 'home' and met my room mate Chris, and instantly connected with her. She became another link in the chain of friends I collected on my trip. Chris was in the American Navy stationed in Naples, on weekend leave in Rome. She was due to go back but stayed an extra day so we could explore together. We caught buses everywhere and saw so much.

The Coliseum (for the third time )

In all it's glory.

In all MY glory.

The Spanish Steps.

Where's Judy?

It was a rainy day and we were on and off buses so crowded to the extent that we were packed in like sardines. Chris had a tiny piece of paper in her jeans pocket with Trevi Fountain written on it. No one could understand either of our accents when we asked for directions so she would pull this paper out (getting more and more pathetic looking the wetter it got.) We got the weirdest directions, that's how we unwittingly found our way to the catacombs of St. Sebastian, going through peoples' back yards weaving our way through their washing . I don't know if that was the way or whether we had been given a shortcut.

The Catacombs of St. Sebastian. On the Appian Way.

After much giggling we finally found the famous fountain.

Trevi Fountain.

I tossed three coins over my shoulder but haven't returned as yet.

Gaye's birthday had been on the 27th so I found time to shop. Spied a lovely jumper in a boutique and hoped she would like it. Managed to squash it into my backpack. Birthday presents don't count in the budget so I didn't feel guilty. No presents for any one else. They had been forewarned.

Back to the pensione then out to a trattoria for a real Italian meal. A friend of Chris had invited us out for coffee, off we went to meet him. He was a retired naval officer living in Rome. So interesting and it was he who told me about an art gallery in Florence under the river Arno, that was restricted to a few visitors and not many knew about it. Over the years I wondered about this and when Louise and Phil talked about visiting Florence on one of their many trips I mentioned the conversation. Louise thought that he had been 'having a lend of me'. We googled and found out about the Vasari Corridor. My mistake - it was OVER the Arno. Over the Ponte Vecchio in fact. So they were able to visit this wonderful site and see some fabulous art work.

On the way home from the trattoria we linked arms , Chris saying, 'It's ten thirty at night and here we are dancing along the streets of Rome. What a memory!' Yes it was and it's still with me.

I had a wonderful couple of days in Rome but it was time to move on. Chris back to work in Naples. She almost convinced me to go with her, I wish now that I had, Pompeii was on my bucket list, but-apart of the crime warnings-I was mindful of the fact that I had to be back in Frankfurt on the 4th to catch my flight home.

So we said goodbye at the station and I hopped on a train en route to ....

PISA.

Chapter 13 FLORENCE.

28-10-88. Weather mild. T shirt weather.

I was very taken with the railway station- beautiful classical music is played continuously over the loudspeakers. A lovely touch, reminding visitors that they are now in a city of culture. I found though that most railway ticket staff were quite intolerant of tourists. I suppose to be fair, they must get fed up to the back teeth with queries from people who can't speak their language. I quickly learned to go from one queue to another until I found a sympathetic ear. At one stage I lost my temper and gave one an earful telling her that she was paid to do a job and should learn to be more helpful to visitors to her country. I'm sure she cried all the way home......not! But I felt better.

As usual the first job.....find a place to call home, pension 24,000 lira for the night. It took me a while to get used to all the noughts on the end, seemed such a lot of money! The next morning as I was wandering around searching for the statue of David, I noticed two women studying a map, so approached them to ask directions. They too were looking for David and invited me to join them.

Beside an excavation of Roman ruins.

Two Americans, Rosemary from Oakland California, and Terry from New Jersey. who were with a tour group, on their own for the day. We had a marvellous time, so much easier with three heads poring over the directions instead of one. Saw Duamo - Gardens of Buboli - Palazzo Pitti - Ponte Vecchio - and of course the Statue of David at the Galleria dell Accademia. We even found time to wander through the markets.

Statue of Pitti.Uffici Gardens.

Uffici Gardens.

Florence is a beautiful city, so much to see and do. I read somewhere that the art at every turn feeds one's spirit. I do so agree. We spent a very rewarding day wandering around. The statue of David is glorious. Terry was in trouble for touching- it was hard to keep from feeling that beauty, the smoothness of the marble.

This is a fridge magnet that Louise and Phil brought me back from their latest trip, complete with cover ups. So inappropriate but funny- some of the souvenirs perhaps not in the best taste.

Now you could take him home to meet the folks!!

Before I left home, Louise had asked me to buy her a gold chain from the Ponte Vecchio, the home of the goldsmiths. No I didn't break my budget rule, she handed over her credit card!!

So off to the Ponte Vecchio we set.

The beautiful Ponte Vecchio.( Old bridge.) and the River Arno.

Originally it housed the city's butchers, but in 1593 (probably because of the habit of throwing the carcases into the river below, causing a foul stench,) they were thrown out and the shops assigned to gold and silversmiths. It is still home to jewellers and art dealers. Louise got her chain and Rosemary bought a beautiful cameo brooch. Me? Not a thing! I was VERY single minded- that shoestring budget never far from my mind. Remember I was here purely for the sights, I don't recall being even remotely tempted.

The Ponte Vecchio escaped the fate of the other five bridges which were blown up when the Nazi's retreated during WW 2. Hitler decreed that it was the only bridge to remain. The story goes that he and Mussolini would sit in the Vasari Corridor above, where he had a huge picture window installed to enjoy the view while plotting all that destruction!

Cathedral and Campanile.

Magnificent view of the city and Doamo in the distance.
20,000 people can fit under that huge dome, just imagine!

While roaming around soaking up the sights the girls had a great (they thought) idea. As one member of the group - Terry's cousin - was away in Calabria visiting family they had a spare bed, which I should sleep in. No way! I couldn't do that! They wouldn't take no for an answer saying that as it had been paid for there was no harm done. So I was sent to the railway station to retrieve my back pack from Left Luggage ( I was supposed to leave that afternoon for Rome) with all instructions re directions back to their four star hotel The Fenice Palace. Of course being me I got hopelessly lost and it was getting dark. I COULDN'T find that hotel. I wandered in and out of shops and coffee lounges but no one could help me. I finally stood on the street and stopped a car thinking it was a taxi and demanded to be taken to the hotel.The driver politely informed me that he was a private vehicle and probably added in Italian to get lost, which I already was - thanks for nothing!

I eventually arrived and was smuggled up to their room. They certainly went out of their way for me. Terry and her brother were sharing with the absent cousin while Rosemary had a room to herself. They had decided the brother should sleep in Rosemary's room so we three could be together. Then the tour group were going out to dinner so I was left in Rosemary's room with all her belongings to shower and wash my hair with instructions to use her expensive toiletries and perfume then watch T V until they returned. I saw a John Wayne western in Italian. I still marvel at the trust they showed in me. We then all went out and I had a rather late dinner.

That night was one of the times when no one in the world knew where I was- my itinerary showed me to be in Rome. Here I was sleeping in a strange girl's bed in Florence, what a lot of explaining to do if I died in the night! This tickled my weird sense of humour, remembering the movie-Chevy Chase's European vacation where the old lady died, and they tied her on to the top of their car. I had visions of me up on top of the tourist coach . Fortunately for all concerned I survived the night.

Next morning they insisted I go down to breakfast with them. "Live dangerously," they kept saying, while I had visions of being thrown into prison. No one seemed to notice the rather unkempt stranger in their midst, so a hearty breakfast was devoured. Then, loaded up with packets of instant porridge in my pockets, a fond farewell was said by all and we went on our separate ways. They were off to Venice while I was looking forward to my next destination.......

ROME.

Chapter 12 VENICE,

26 27-10-88. Cold.

We arrived at Venice Railway station at 4-11am.

As it was pitch dark and I didn't fancy a dip in the Grand Canal, I sat patiently waiting for the refreshment room to open at 6am.

Mouth watering at all the goodies on display I again waited patiently at the counter to be served. After standing for what seemed like hours and being totally ignored, I realised that one had to pay the cashier sitting at the other side of the room then approach the counter. Very difficult- not being able to point at the food to the cashier. I don't really remember how I managed that hurdle, but I do remember not being in a very good mood.

It was not a brilliant start, I was tired and cranky. However who would not be uplifted at the sight of St. Marks Cathedral or the Grand Canal.

Basilica of San Marco.

Grand Canal.

The Grand Canal is 3K long and up to 70 metres wide. There are over 400 bridges crossing the 100 or so canals that connect and wind through the city.

I was immediately under the spell of the beauty that is Venice which is known as the most beautiful city built by man, also one of Europe's most romantic. It is not a large city and it is possible to walk from end to end in an hour. Of course being me, I was soon lost in the maze of bridges.

I remember standing on one such bridge, fascinated by the water traffic, particularly the way the garbage collectors manoeuvred their boats in and out of such small spaces with the greatest of ease, going from house to house. There was even an ambulance speeding along.

Fascinating to see how they have adapted.

All situations catered for. It was fun just to watch all the happenings and the traffic on the water.

Local traffic.

I wonder if it has a siren??

I remember my children talking about this bridge and promising that one day they would meet here. They never did but each has visited separately. I think it was a a favourite rock song of the 70's by Robin Trower.?

Ponte Dei Sospiri. The bridge of Sighs.
The only covered bridge in Venice.


The tourist's view.

So called because it connects the Doge's Palace to the prison and prisoners were taken across to the jail from the Judgement Hall. They had their last glimpse of freedom through the small windows. Byron referred to it in one of his poems 'Childe Harold Pilgrimage.'......

I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs
a palace and prison on each hand.

The Doge's Palace.

The Palace courtyard.

Leonardo Loredan.The Doge of Venice.

Painted by Bellini.1501.

This painting has been a favourite of mine for a long time. I first saw it in a friend's house and was struck by the serenity of his face. Such a peaceful painting.

Water buses are the most inexpensive way to get around. I'm sorry now that I didn't fork out the $60 which it would have cost for a gondola ride. I didn't know then about the traghetto gondola ferries which cross the Grand Canal. Very cheap fare, and you get to ride in a gondola for two minutes - but you stand up for the trip. I probably would have fallen in!

I travelled in a very crowded water taxi and it was the only time on my whole trip that I felt a pick pocket. A hand slipped in to the pocket of my parka which fortunately was empty.

All the buildings are supported by oak and pine piles which are driven deep into the ground to create a solid foundation. Because of the waterlogged soil the lack of oxygen means the posts remain strong and don't decay. The wood petrifies because of the mineral rich water and becomes like stone.

During the 20th centurythe local industry sank many artisan wells and Venice began to subside. This was banned in the 1960's but the city is still affected by low level floods that rise several centimetres following certain tides. In many old houses the staircases used to unload goods are now flooded.

I wondered what they do when someone dies. Asking around I was told they have a Cemetery Island. What a sight a funeral must be.

Cemetery Island.

It was wonderful to visit this magic city but ever mindful of the time, or lack of it, I found my way through the bridges to the railway station en route to......

FLORENCE.

Chapter 11 VIENNA.

25-10-88. Overcast.

I caught the train by the skin of my teeth, it was so close that the guard gave me a helping shove as the train was moving. Perhaps I should say that I caught the train by the skin of my rear end!

Saw some little Bambi's running alongside the railway line. They were gorgeous.

On arrival at the train station I was approached by a girl who offered me accommodation for 160/s.

After walking for about fifteen minutes we reached our destination. I had absolutely no idea of my whereabouts. Her place was really lovely, all done in white cane furniture with blue curtains and bedspreads.

THEN she informed me that it was unisex!!! Remembering my experience at the castle outside Munich I declined, even though the boys all offered me their lower bunks. They were all so lovely and friendly I guess I should have stayed.

Of course then I found myself out on the street totally lost, having to find my way back to the station and tourist office to look for new accommodation.

A room at a nearby hotel for 285/s including shower and breakfast. Big difference but what price modesty!

At last VIENNA. I wasn't exaggerating when I called it the city of my dreams.

St. Stephen's Cathedral with its magnificent ceramic tiled roof.

Mozart was married in St. Stephens and some say his funeral was held here, but as no one is certain where he is buried I find that hard to believe. He died a pauper.

Inside St. Stephens.

The Figarohaus where this famous opera was composed.

Music played a huge role in my upbringing and that included the beautiful Strauss waltzes and people singing about Vienna. I always dreamed of walking in the Vienna Woods and seeing the Blue Danube.

Also the wonderful movie The Great Waltz, the story of Johann Strauss, whet my appetite even more. Much later I found out that the whole thing had been shot in Hollywood!

The beautiful Blue Danube.

What a lucky person I was, and doing it on my own was a bonus and a big boost to my self confidence after a very nasty divorce. If I could realise this dream who knows what future things I could tackle.

By now it was 2.30 pm so I went on a three hour tour. (Isn't that what Gilligan and the skipper did?). I didn't see any of the things I anticipated. We were taken on a tour of the beautiful Schonnbrun Palace, the summer palace of the Hapsburgs.

I saw the room where at age six, Mozart entertained the Empress Maria Theresa and the Royal Court.

I had no way of knowing then that in a few short years I would be back to spend three months living in this magnificent city and would become familiar with all its beauty.

Schonnbrun. (Beautiful Spring.) The Summer Palace.

The guide was disappointing as he spoke first in German then switched to English very quickly in a heavily accented voice. Also by the time he got around to the English version we were way past the subject. At 290/ schillings very expensive.

The magnificent Gloriette in the grounds of Schonbrunn.

Undergoing reconstruction in 1988.

As I hadn't yet seen any of the sights which were the reason I was here, I decided to stay longer. If I travelled to my next destination at night I would not only have an extra day but also save on sleeping arrangements. (That budget never far from my mind!)

26-10-88. Clear. Cold wind.

Up early, down to the railway station to book a couchette, store my back pack, time now for my self guided tour.

Saw the beautiful Blue Danube, old and new. The New Danube is a bypass channel built on the left bank of the river to alleviate flooding. The excavated material was used to bank a flood free island. It is only used in case of floods and drainage is controlled by weirs. The project was completed in 1988.

View of the Danube old and new, and Danube Island.
Tick.

Caught the underground railway (U bahn) then went for a thirty minute bus ride to the Vienna Woods. It didn't cost me a cent, or should I say a schilling? I had my fare ready but no one came to collect. I found on my next trip that there is a machine in the centre of the bus where passengers insert their tickets or money.

BIG trouble - BIG fine had I been caught. Written in my diary at the time......"No one seems to worry about payment and as it is such a hassle with language, I just hopped on and off buses for the time I was here."

The Vienna Woods. I love this photo. I vividly remember walking down this track.
Tick.

Autumn. What a perfect time to be here, the colours were amazing. To be here on my own was a big deal for me.

Such a memorable day and I did it myself! No guide no 290/schillings, just me. My confidence was growing.

The city from the top of the Vienna Woods.

I continued searching for special places and found myself in Stadt Park and the statue of Johann Strauss, another dreamed of site.

Next trip he was all gold.Stunning but I prefer the black.
Tick.

The Danube at night.

Due to my fascination with this mighty river, I looked up some facts.

The Danube is the second longest river (2850km) in Europe after the Volga. Originating in the Black Forest and emptying into the Black Sea, flowing through or forming part of the borders of ten countries. Germany - Austria - Slovakia - Hungary - Croatia - Serbia - Romania - Bulgaria - Moldovia and the Ukraine.

I don't remember learning this at school. As a child I thought it belonged to Vienna. No doubt the fault of Strauss.

Vienna is renowned for the love of music. The city has been home to many of the greatest names in music history.....Beethoven, Brahms Mozart, Schubert, Haydn and Strauss. There is a special musicians area in the Vienna Central Cemetery where some of these legends are buried.

Johann Strauss the younger.

Franz Schubert.

Johannes Brahms.

The Mozart Memorial.

Haydn and Schubert began their music careers as members of the Vienna Boy's Choir. Haydn 1740-1750 and Schubert 1805-1813.

There are now over one hundred members of the choir, ranging from ten to fourteen years, divided into four groups who tour the world, giving three hundred concerts a year.

One such group was touring Australia at the outbreak of W.W.2 and being termed aliens were not allowed to leave. They were fostered out for the duration and all but two remained and made Australia their home.

I was fortunate to see them on my next visit, singing the mass in the chapel of the Hoffburg Palace.

The Hoffburg Palace. Home of the Hapsburgs.

Palace and Fiacre.

Forward to 1994.

Here I include photos of my next visit where I feel quite at home. When my friend's mother died, Erna ( living in Ipswich ) returned to Vienna to sell the family home, and I went too. It took a few months to finalise things so I made the most of this unexpected and much appreciated holiday. We had a great time running around in Erna's little car. We even had a train trip to Prague.

When we weren't in the car we were cycling all over Vienna, including along the banks of the Danube.

Outside Erna's house with my trusty little bike.

The Danube bank.

Often we would cycle along the bank to this lovely spot for a glass of wine.

The United Nations Building.

Stone Monuments from all members of the U.N.

This one representing Australia comes from N.S.W.

I was so lucky to be included in a birthday party for two of Erna's friends, the father and daughter. A pig on the spit garden party.

The Invitation.

Willi and the welcome speech.

The house behind them is their summer cottage,almost on the banks of the Danube. They also have a winter home in the heart of Vienna. I will add that they are pensioners and live oh so comfortably, travelling widely across Europe. The Austrian scheme is far superior to ours. But for all that they were lovely people and made me welcome ( taking us on long car trips all over Vienna and up into the Austrian Alps) We had sing songs in the car and the only one they knew in English was 'You are my sunshine.' Boy we gave that one a hiding.

With Erna and Willi's wife Maria.

The result of that pig on a spit. Look at all that pork!


Tante Annie who long ago had migrated to Canada, was the only one apart from Erna who spoke English so they spent the night as my translators.

Another outing. I was becoming quite fond of the German beer!

A heart -to-heart with Erna, and more beer!

Yet another drop! In Prague on the bank of the Vlatava River.

More fun was had during that stay when I was introduced to a neighbour's cherry tree. I had never seen a cherry on a tree and was overawed to see them growing everywhere in back gardens on these HUGE trees.. All one had to do was grab a bucket, pick and eat! Heaven.

Check out the size of the tree!!

pick one for the bucket, eat five.

Who could possibly resist?

I ate my way through buckets and buckets ,sitting in the garden on a swing, sometimes wandering down to the Danube to sit on the bank with my bowl. Life really was a bowl of cherries in those days, until........ One day (thankfully towards the end of my stay) I was sitting happily chomping away when I happened to look down to see two bright eyes looking up at me. I learnt that day that cherries come with grubs!!! It caused great amusement among Erna and her friends. Erna said, "Didn't you hear what Gerti said to you?" As Gerti only spoke German I had no idea.

Apparently Gerti ( with cherry earrings ) was asking if I was getting my protein for the day!

I also (with the help of some written instructions including telephone number) became quite proficient at travelling. This one got me to the State Opera House and home again.

I was able to attend several operas, an unforgettable experience. Including one time when I camped out all night to get a ticket to hear Pavarotti sing Tosca. A fun night that was spent with a group of young people from all over.

Settling down for the night, see the plastic bag of cherries.

The Opera House.

The night was spent on the steps of the Opera House and I was in good company. The Viennese love their opera and take advantage of the cheap tickets. Normally they are available several hours before the opera but on occasions when HUGE celebrities are to sing, numbers are handed out at 6am that morning.

Then you return at 4pm to purchase your ticket. As public transport doesn't start running until around 6am, crowds of people sleep over. Sitting beside us in the queue was a lady celebrating her birthday and family and friends visited her all night bringing champagne and good wishes which she shared with us. (We were more interested in the champagne than the good wishes! )

It was a night to remember, who cares that Pavarotti was a no show!

I couldn't get to sleep and was wandering the empty streets looking at shop windows at 3am. Great experience to see Vienna in the dead of night.

The much prized ticket.

This is a ticket to the 'Standing Place.' The Emperor Franz Joseph decreed that a section always be made available to the common people as long as the Opera House stood. It has seating for over two thousand patrons and a further five hundred standing. 40/schillings then was equal to $5 , so how cheap was that to see Pavarotti? He had a cold that night but we all enjoyed Tosca anyway.

All set for a night at the opera. Only one problem, Pavarotti was sick!

Another example of the' no age barrier.' They all adopted me. Maybe it was the cherries!! From New York, Phoenix, Madrid and Budapest. We were such good mates by the time the opera was over.

The girl from Hungary was a lovely girl but a walking disaster, She lost her ticket, then elastic broke in her skirt, hurried search for a safety pin, she was hot and sticky so decided to wash in the beautiful fountain, got into trouble for that, then had nothing to eat, no money, then lost some of her luggage. We managed to sort her out, they finally let her in sans ticket so a good time was had by all.

Back to 1988.

After a wonderful couple of days roaming this beautiful city I reluctantly found my way back to the railway station, arriving at 6 pm. I wanted to make sure there was no repeat performance of nearly missing the train so arrived very early, completely relaxed and ready for the next leg of my journey. It was an eight hour journey so I was expecting a good night's sleep. A change of language and money as it was an italian train. The conductor advised us to put our money on our person not our handbags, also to lock the cabin door. We were a mixed group of four males and four females and luckily one woman spoke Italian and translated for us.

We were soon on our way to....

VENICE.