oh, vienna

was in vienna for five minutes in september to visit a mega-cardiology conference. the downside is, as i had articles to write, i spent most of my time at the conference and in my hotel room!

i did get out to see one, yes! only one, sight. the stephandom. this is an impressively massive gothic catherderal from the 12th century. the interior is awesome (the old meaning; not the bill and ted meaning). i like ye-old-fashioned religious art with the "you're all going to hell" motifs - they were in abundance here - so i was happy as a pig in the proverbial.

massive vaulted ceiling, stefandom


interior, stephandom



self-portrait of the master mason pilgram, stefandom

the only bit of history i remember from the guide is that mozart and constanza were married here.

the cardiologist liked the idea of climbing the north tower so we did that.... more than 300 steps. he skipped up like a goat, I, on the other hand, managed the narrow spiral staircase, "like an asthmatic ant with some heavy shopping" (when i arrived at the top panting like a pervert, i was glad that i had a cardiologist with me as the pain in my chest was so severe it was blurring my vision). the views over the city were worth the pain.


view of slate roof, stefandom

i was let out to have dinner; which for a veggie in vienna means grated cabbage and sliced potatoes. not very inspiring. the cocktails were nice though!


self-portrait: slices and her new frock