Vienna

[khiemtran]

I hope this wasn't too ungracious, but my first act, after having breakfast in Bratislava, was to leave it again. I caught the train up to Vienna, for an appointment with Herr Klimt at the Belvedere Museum.




The Klimt collection, including The Kiss, was very special, but they also had an excellent survey of other artists, including Munch, Van Gogh and Monet. I was particular impressed by Egon Schiele and Hans Canon, whom I had not heard of before. The permanent exhibition was well-layed out with a clear theme for each room - a particular style for some (Expressionism, Realism, Impressionism, etc), or the same subject using different styles in others. No photography was allowed, but I certainly got plenty of brain food, and some new artists to look up.

As for The Kiss, well, it was actually quite spectacular. There actually used to be a print of it in one of the meeting rooms in my office, so I wasn't expecting any surprises, but I didn't realise just how bright and golden the original would be (although I probably should have if I'd thought about it). Definitely a picture worth experiencing close up.

The text in the room for Klimt's "Golden Period" talked about the femininity of his work. It's something I hadn't noticed before, but there is definitely something sensuous even in his landscapes and floral scenes.

Also quite compelling were some of the unfinished portraits from near the end of his life. You can see the figures with some parts still only sketched. In a museum filled with nude statues and figures, these looked far more naked and exposed than anything else in the building.


Couldn't take photos, but I could take a calendar...

After the museum, I had a walk around the gardens, and set out to find a late lunch.





After two attempts (it was surprisingly had to find an empty table at 2pm on a Sunday), I ended up in a small pub, where I had a Wiener Schnitzel (of course) and a beer.

I had a funny conversation with the Kellnerin when I tried to get a receipt:

Me: Hallo! Die Rechnung, bitte!
Her: Schnitzel, Bier, Salat...
Me: Can I have a receipt too, please? (I think I used English here, because I had forgotten how to say "a receipt".)
[A conversation ensued where it became clear that she didn't know what a "receipt" was and I couldn't work out how to explain it with my limited German. Don't worry, I told her.]
[Next, she returns with a receipt.]
Me: Ah! Was ist das!?
Her: Die Rechnung!
Me: Die Rechnung!!! [Which I thought was just "the bill"]

All my conversations in German go something like that.

After lunch, I had a walk through the Botanic Gardens.



The stall on the right is actually selling wine by the glass. On another day, it might have been nice to sit for a while, but I was already feeling exhausted by this stage (mostly due to jetlag).

I had also planned to visit a Coffee House for a coffee, but this would have to wait to the next time I pass through.

So, it was back to the Südbahnhof (which, incidentally, is being rebuilt) for the trip back to Bratislava.



Chasing the Wiesel on the way home...

Comments

[zornhau.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. Much envy.

Mind you, you didn't take in the famous armouries.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping I might get a chance to see some of the castles around Bratislava before I leave. Not sure if I'll get time though. That might have been my one chance to get out.

[zornhau.livejournal.com]

There's always next time :)

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing - love the duck!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Thanks! BTW, how would you ask for a receipt in German? And is there any concept of splitting bills or paying with multiple credit cards?

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

'Rechnung' is the legal term, at least in Germany (you never know about Austria and Switzerland...) - I'd expect it to contain a listing, but if it doesn't, I'd ask for 'eine detaillierte Rechnung' or 'einen detaillierten Beleg' [Beleg is a bit more formal, so I'd probably use it in a restaurant rather than a Kneipe.]

Spliting bills is normal - 'getrennte Rechnungen' (often you get asked by waitstaff 'zusammen oder getrennt?')

I've never been in a multiple credit card situation in Germany - they just weren't common enough the last time I was in a German restaurant!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Thanks! That sounds like just what I need. (Now, I just have to work out how to say it in Slovak too...)