public holidays et al

Yesterday, Friday was a public holiday here in Austria, and the whole city of Vienna was on holiday, I guess...

It was really quiet in an already quiet town, all the shops were closed for the day and the few people that ventured out didn't stay long either. By 11am when we headed out to Stockerau, a few more people had gathered round the train station. Stockerau was even more deserted than Vienna, and having fewer houses/inhabitants, the wind was much stronger and it felt colder than it actually was.

On arrival, we took a short walk across the city centre to our friends' place, and I got to see the beauty of this little place for the first time, in daylight. From the cute cinema, to the Church, to the Museum, and even a High School, I was just impressed with how untouched the whole place seemed by 'modern technology' and how peaceful it was to stroll through the town, hardly a soul, or car in sight. Again, I had the 'Faustus-moment' and quickly brushed it aside, expressing a silent gratitude for the essence of life, and my presence here instead.

We had fish, baked mushrooms, wild rice and 3 different types of salad as a main course, by the end of which I was more than full. Then we had tea, and I got an 'acupuncture session' which sent me straight to Noddyland... I woke up, and it was time to come back home. All in all, a relaxed, fulfilling national holiday, and I was glad to see my bed when I got home.

Today, Saturday, we went to the northern shopping centre with friends to do some shopping. I've always been an H&M girl, through and through, and I could not resist the impulse to walk in there, even if I knew I was not buying anything. Feeding one's eyes has never been a crime -that I know of anyway- so, off I went. Thank God my Dad was around, because an item or two did catch my attnetion, and was screaming to be taken off the hanger and straight into my wardrobe -unbelievable, how very vocal these things can be!!!

We got back, had lunch and now I'm feeling an afternoon nap coming on....