A Man and His Dog

Every morning when I leave the hotel, I walk out the last to go across the Danube bypass into the InnerStadt. The past several mornings on this walk, I've crossed paths with this older man and his Chow on their morning walk. Being the dog lover I am, I smile kindly at the man, and then at his dog (who I've named chow in my mind), with out much exchange in acknowledgement from either of them. 

This morning, I was bundled up in my lime green fleece, and was making my way to the Stadt, when I once again see my morning commute colleagues. However, Chow isn't on his usual leash, and Mr. Chow is investigating a shiny new electronic car parked on our street. When our paths cross, I look up at Mr. Chow and smile my usual morning smile, and like old friends he tells me "Morgan" as in "mornin'" in the states. For the first time in the 4 days I see he's a kind gentleman, soft blue eyes, defeating the cold so chow can get his morning walk in. 

Mr. Chow, whoever you are, you make Vienna all that more special to me. A complete stranger who I know nothing about, you are magnificent.

I love this city, I may have to move here some day.

-Em  

Tears of wonder

Today, as I walked through the Jewish museum here in Vienna, I well up in tears. The overwhelming knowledge that is available in this city brings me to my knees. In that same museum, I saw the gut wrenching uncut yellow stars stating "JUDE" on them, and in the same museum I see the exact musical score Wagner took notes on of his performance. 

Next museum, of historical instruments, I'm reduced to puddles seeing instruments Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Haydn performed on for big audiences and a small amount of guests.

You must come to Vienna. All of you.