Heads above Doors on Heldenplatz

Hi Duncan and VANmiracle,
Well we three seem to be the only ones on our blog, so let's have a go at it. BTW. I loved the photos VAN, went through all of them, loved the kids climbing all over the Gloriette, loved the front of the Secession (I once met Duncan for an event there at the foot of the Turtles sculpture, remember Duncan?) especially loved the ones of the building with the inside stairs, cant figure out which building that is. Loved all photos of Wien.
Since you both are in Wien right now, I am going to try to stump you! I have done this to Duncan before and even though he is the world-renown Only in Wien expert, he cant figure them out.
What are the Heads above the Doors on the corner of the Heldenplatz doing there? There are a series of military heads above doors on the end of the Heldenplatz monument, toward the Volkgarent Disco and pointing toward the Burgtheater. I have been to the tourist office and they don't know either. So if Duncan and VAN can put your thinking caps on and solve this mystery, that would be great for all of us.
Best to everyone in Wien today!
susanvon

Only In Wien Book

Hi Everyone:
Hope you are all ready for a wonderful December and Christmas in wonderful Wien! I think Vienna is the prettiest city in the entire world during Christmas. Much prettier than backwater DC! You have so many wonderful places to choose from to see the Holiday spirit.
Would love to know everyone's Christmas plans. I will be here in Backwater DC, not going to my place in Florida this year since I am working on a campaign for 2 months. But I plan to be in Wien from February 9 - 15 to attend the UN/Diplomats Ball at the Hofburg.
Hope you all have read your Only in Wien 'cause I intend to give eveyone a pop quiz when I come over.
Has anyone on our blog been to the Japaneses garden? I would love to go there.
Best to everyone
susanvon

MDOs

Hi Everyone:
Just wanted to say hi on the last day of November. Also, wanted to point out that our famous author, Duncan, is a MDO, he has four of which I know. Also, our new Pal Without Borders friend, VANmiracle, has 4 MDOs, of which I know.
Wow, what a hi tech coincidence is that?
I have none, but then I have no WMDs either!
LOL
susan von

Back from Wien

Hi Everyone
Back from Wien and had a great time. Got to see all my "old" friends and made some "new" ones. VanMiracle and her family are just the best. Very lovely people, truly gracious Viennese with the wonderful Viennese charm.
Got to go to Laxenburg and see ILSA and tour the Blue Hof very beautiful there. Cant wait to go back in the Spring.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful Holiday Season in Wonderful Wien and please have a glass of Gluwien and punsch for me!
Hope to read here what everyone is doing.
All the best
susanvon

Forget this Stuff - Cut to the Chase

Hi Everyone
Hey Duncan, forget this stuff - get to the important stuff.
Why dont you go over to my favorite street - THE GRABEN - and take a photo of the newly enlarged Hermes store.
Now that is what is really important in our Wien.
LOL
Susanvon

Autumn in Vienna

Dear All

A few images taken during a recent Autumn stroll through Vienna's First District. Can you recognise them?

Best wishes - Duncan

Busted on the Tram Blog

Hey What's With Everyone!

Didn't you read my comment about being "busted" on Tram #1?
Thought you would get a kick out of it?
Maybe, you thought that I would end up in the Stalag?
BTW, where is our Duncan?
LOL (not lots of love!)
susanvon

Only in Wien

Not to paraphrase a book known to all of us (one of us more than the others), one gets to see a Palmers papal porn only in Wien! One finally also gets to know what the pope thinks about when not working at St. Stephan cathedral (look at the long legs coming out of the head).

I particularly like the discrete hand on the left boob. What better way to probe the heart of the Vienneese?

My prayer of the day: may you all have a happy and fun weekend!

Trip to Wien

Hi Everyone:
Just wanted to let you know that I will be in Wien from Wed. Sept. 26 - October 4th. I will send you my hotel contact information under a separate post.
Also, some of you had expressed an interest in touring the new gallery TB-A 21 founded by Francesca von Habsburg. I have been in touch with her and just need to know the date and how many will be going. This will be during the day, however.
Also, I never heard from anyone, so I am bring Bride of the Wind and Night Porter for our movie night. Hope that it is still on.
Hope we can also see the Sand in the City exhibit, it looked very interested when it was on our blog.
Best to everyone.
susanvon

Austria is # 5!

Below is an article from AFP, ranking Osterreich as the 5th best place for good living, worldwide! To all Austrian Pals, enjoy!

Can't beat quality of life in Scandinavia, says world ranking
Thu Sep 20, 11:18 AM ET

Nordic countries take the greatest care of their environment and their people, according to a ranking published on Thursday by the publication Reader's Digest.
Finland comes top of the 141-nation list, followed by Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and then Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and Australia.

At the bottom of the list is Ethiopia, preceded by Niger, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso and Chad.
The United States comes in 23rd, China 84th and India 104th.

The ranking combines environmental factors, such as air and water quality, respect for biodiversity and greenhouse-gas emissions, as well as social factors, such as gross domestic product, access to education, unemployment rate and life expectancy.

The statistical basis is the UN's Human Development Index and the Environmental Sustainability Index drawn up by Yale and Columbia universities and the World Economic Forum.

European countries -- again, led by Scandinavia -- also top the Reader's Digest assessment of 72 cities for their quality of life. The criteria for this include public transport, parks, air quality, rubbish recycling and the price of electricity.

The winner is Stockholm, followed by Oslo, Munich and Paris.

Asia's mega-cities fare the worst. At the bottom is Beijing, preceded by Shanghai, Mumbai, Guangzhou and Bangkok.

Busted on Tram #1 In Wien

Hi Everyone:

When I am in Wien in September, please remind me to tell you the story of how I got "busted on Tram #1" the day before I left.

It is a very funny storey and our friend Duncan plays a part in "jinxing" me!

Best to everyone

susan von

Al Gore Light Bulbs in Honor of Duncan

Hi Everyone:
In honor of our friend, Duncan, I purchased one of the above-referenced light bulbs. He was blabbing on about them and how they are so energy efficient, etc. Well they may be but they don't give off any light, very dark and muted! They are made of Tungsram in Hungary, no less, surprised that they aren't made in China! LOL
Anyway, I will use it up and then it is Kaput! No more Al Gore Energy Efficient light bulbs for me. Now don't be made at me since I take public transportation all the time here in DC and Wien and my place in Florida. Unlike the former Vice President who only takes a big black Lincoln Town car limo and Gulfstreams all the time plus he had an electric bill for one month for over $5,000!
Wonder how much carbon footprints he has left!
LOL
susanvon

September is Here

Hi Everyone
Hope you all had a great summer and are ready for the cool weather!
I will be in Wien from September 26 - October 4, this time on Austrian Airlines, yeah, no transferring to Hated Heathrow this time!
I saw on the Wien events calendar that the Sand in the City is still up and that the Wien Staats Opera has live video broadcasts of the actual opera on the Herbert von Karajan Plaza. Anyone familiar with this?
Also, the Haught Deutschminster Band stills plays from the Kohlmart to the Hofberg on Saturday mornings, we could all meet at the Sperl and then go watch it!
Looking forwad to seeing everyone!
Auf wiedershen
susanvon

Tunisia

Hi everybody,

I hope you're all up and well. Idriss and I are going on vacation to Tunisia and will not have internet access in the following two weeks. We'll still look forward to your posts on this blog and will answer any emails as soon as possible after our return. For now we are very much looking forward to our vacation :-).

We wish you all a great coming two weeks and hope to read you all thereafter.

All our best
Barbara & Idriss.

New Panda Cub in Schonbrunn

Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to congratulte all you Austrians on the birth of the new Panda cub at Schonbrunn!!!
The first new panda cub born in Europe in twenty something years!
Yeah for Austria!
The news here in the US loves this story and it is all over CNN, NY times.
Hope you all are doing well.
Still hot and humid here.
best to everyone
Susanvon
ps DC has a panda cub but we never get to see it since Bush put it on the "do not fly list"
LOL

Bobble Head!

Hi Everyone:
Hope this color shows up!
I need every one's help with this project. I need to buy in Wien a Bobble Head representing Austria, ie, Mozart, J. Strauss, Lipizzaner, etc. I know that there are Bobble Heads here in the US of the Governator, but he sued for copyright infringement and they were taken off the market.
Anyone out there have any suggestions where I can find one?
Put your thinking caps on!
Best to all
susan von

Latest Austrian Drama

Hi Everybody:
I tired to make this Loden green, not sure if it will show up on the screen!
Anyway, the NYTimes and CNN (I read them both first thing in the am, since I am a news junkie) both had extensive articles on Natasha Kem_____ about her ordeal. It has been a year to date since she was freed. The articles said that she had been on Austrian TV talking about this matter.
It was quite interesting and she said that she had been back to the house where she had been imprisoned; she also said that she didn't like people asking for her autograph, since she is not a "superstar." I wish I could have seen it, I wonder if it is on a web page video someplace?
Did anyone watch it?
Does she live in Wien and does anyone know which District?
I wonder if it is on the Graben close to the Hermes store? LOL
Best to everyone
susanvon

Trip to Wien

Hi Everyone:
Hope you all are staying cool as the summer winds down. Still very hot and humid here in DC. No one in town is here, they are all away in Texas or Cape Code. I seem to be the only one stuck here in "backwater" DC and a friend of my put it!
Anyway, sorry about the purple color, it didn't show up very well. Any news on Austrian politics, please let me know. I check CNN and the NY Times and there wasn't much listed.
Just made my final flight arrangements for September. I will be in Wien from September 26 (arriving) until October 4th (departing). This time I am coming over on Austrian Airlines coming and going. They are the best, lots of fee Sekt and no transferring planes and worry about luggage, plus they are always on time, unless US carriers.
Anyone have any experience with Gruner Vetliner wine? I understand that one has to open the bottle with a bottle opener, similar to a beer bottle. I ask because it is hard to find Austrians wines in the US, and I found a place here in DC that sells this wine quite reasonably!
All the best to everyone
susan von

Austrian Politics

Hi Everyone!
Hope you are all well and staying cool! I read in the NYTimes that Gdahafi (sp) Junior is in Wien at the invitation of Governor Jorge Haider!
What a combination! Mr. Gdahafi Junior said that Europe needs to watch out because terrorism is going to get worse in Europe.
Well, I guess he should know considering the things that his father has done in Lybia, ie, the Lockerbie plan incident, Bulgarian nurses, etc.
Just surprised that Haider continues to stay in the papers especially since he has started a new party. I guess one never knows about him. But then, he did study at Harvard, not Harvard, Il. Guess that is the reason!
LOL
all the best to everyone
susan von
ps can someome please tell me what :) means?
danke

David Beckham Again - Redeux

Hi Everyone:
Thought I would make this red since it is so hot here in DC today.
Sorry to mention David Beckham again, but I cant get away from him. It seems his hotel was only one block from my apartment and then his last night here in DC, he had dinner at Sequoia, the posh DC restaurant in my office building here in Georgetown, DC. Remember, Richard?
Post didn't come with him this time, guess she stayed in LA counting her Hermes bags!
Anyway, he wont be back for a while, and then I hope I will be in Vienna!
Best to everyone,
susanvon

Beckhams in DC - off Vienna topic

Hi Everyone:
Our blog has been rather slow lately, so I thought that I would "jazz" it up.
The Beckhams are in DC now, in fact, Becks as he is called is staying in an Arlington hotel only a few blocks from my apt! Fancy that!
The whole town is crazy for him, it is a slow news day, now that the Prez and the Congress are out of town, not much is going on. I guess DC is now really a "backwater", right Richard?
Anyway, looking forward to seeing Posh or whatever her name is in the papers tomorrow since she only carries Hermes Birkins and has one in every color to match her Chanel outfits!
All the best to everyone on our blog and stay cool!
susanvon

Third Bourne Movie

Hi Everyone:
Just wanted to let you all know that today the third series in the Bourne Trilogy opens here in the US. Not sure about Europe. This is the last in the Bourne series and takes place in Vienna and Russia.
I just purchased the first two Bourne movies and the dvd interview with Robert Luldlum (former CIA operative). He lived on my island in Florida, Longboat Key and I used to see him there. Very eccentric person.
I am sure that all of the movies have some truth to them.
Has anyone on our blog ever seen Scorpio? Takes place all over the 1st District and also on the Karlplatz before the U Bahn was built.
I can bring them all with me in September.
Hope you all are staying cool and have a cool week-end.
Very hot and humid here in DC almost 100 degrees.
Best to everyone
Susan von

Night Porter Movie

Hi Everyone:
Well I finally started to unpack some after my move six months ago and found my copy of Night Porter. I will bring it with me in Sept for our movie night. I am sure the men will love that.
I also read that it is based on a true story that happened in Wien in the 1950's.
Very ery to watch it since so many of the places in the Film are still the same?
For example, the Otto Wagner houses on the Link Wienzell, the Karl Marz Hof, the statue of Maria Theresa on the Ring, the K. Holzer crematorium in the central freidhof and finally a quick scene in the Loos bar.
Anyone care to comment. Maybe our friend Duncan?
I will tell you that Dirk Bogard never looked better!
All for now
susan von

Spies in Vienna

Hi Everyone:
I just read the new book out about the history of the CIA. Won a Pulitzer and is by a NY Times reporter, so I know it is accurate.
In this book, the author talks about a Soviet Spy, Admiral Nicholas Shadrin, who some think, was a double agent for the US/Soviets. He was standing on the steps of a Church in Vienna and then was kidnapped and taken across the border into Czech.
This was sometime in the '70's.
Anyone on our blog ever hear of this?
Of course, you all weren't probably on this earth then, but just thought I would ask. It is some type of well-known Viennese rumour.
Cheers
susan von

Vienna Quiz

Gross Gott Everyone:
Haven't read anyone in a while, so here is a quiz for you all:
I was researching in the Congressional Reading Room of the Library of Congress and came across this book entitled "In the Shadow of the Hofburg". This books deals with all of the scandals/events associated with the Hofburg in the past 200 years.
The book mentions the Hofburg cellar/basement which holds the original statutes on the top of the Hofburg (the ones current there now are copies).
The book also mentions the lingerie shop on the Kohlmarkt called the "White Cat" from which Marie Vetsera left Wien and never returned.
Anyone heard of these two Viennese tales/stores and are they true?
The book is out of print now here in the US, but may be available in Wien.
All the best to everyone.
Susan von

follow up to the gigantic squid

Hello everybody,

I hope everyone is up and well... Here's a follow up to Duncan's gigantic squid. Voila a gigantic mushroom. I forgot where it was picked and I know nothing about it's fate (Schwammerlsoße mit Semmelködel?) but it has an amazing weight of 20kg. I wouldn't have picked it but rather waited to see how much it would continue to grow... well.

So that's the breaking news of the day. Temperatures have gone up again in Vienna paralyzing all the employees (AC is not very common here. I wish we could just go for a trip to Florida - your place sounds awesome Susan - thank you so much for the offer, but unfortunately after having been away for 3 days we're again buried with work. I have a grant application due on the 31st of July and an exam to prepare for September.

I hope the preparations for the networking party are not too consuming. If you need any help just ask - I'm sure I can free myself for a bit in order to help you Susan.

I also hope that Duncan and his family are ok - I saw those pics of the terrible flooding that's happening. I hope that they at least get drinkable water back soon. I don't know if this is published in the states too but the weather in Europe seems to have gone completely crazy. People die of heat, others drown in water, temperatures drop more than 20°C over night, lots and lots of strong wind and in Italy bad fires burnt down everything until they reach the sea.

Well I wish you all a good day with no wheather or other catastrophes adn I'm lookign frward to reading you soon.

All my best

Barbara

My Condo In Florida

Hi Everyone:

I made this green to go along with the Florida theme.
Just wanted to let you all know that I am offering my Florida condo to all of our Vienna Pals form August 1 to the end of 2007.
It is 30 miles from Tampa Intl Airport, BA and Lufthansa flight direct to Tampa.
There will be a slight charge to stay there, small amount for my Wien friends. I have to charge something due to the IRS regulations the way it is structured. Even I have to pay a amount. But since the Euro is up and our dollar is down, it will be a bargain for any of your who want to come.
Just send me an email off topic, if anyone needs more details.
Auf wiedershen
susan von

The Beckhams-Off Vienna Topic

Hi Everyone:
Will someone please explain the attraction of the Beckhams? They arrived in LA and everyone there is going Beckham crazy.
During their press conference, someone had to keep correcting David Beckham that over here, across the big pond, it is soccer and not football. Since American football is very entrenched here for over 100 years, I don't think the name will change.
Also, Posh Spice or whatever her name is, had on a hot pink mini dress with a matching hot pink alligator Hemes Birkin bag. I am told that she has Birkins in every color to match whatever color outfit she is wearing. At least, I like that about her.
Finally, CNN says that more people in the US watch the "Hot Dog Eating Contest" on ESPN than watch soccer. So what does that say for Mr. Beckham's future?
Can our UK friends please comment on this phenomenon (sp?).
Danie
susan von

Viegates in Wien

Hi Everybody
Havent read too much lated, hope everyone is all right. Especially our UK pals, Duncan and Richard.
Right now I am making airplane reservations, does anyone have any experience with the Zurich and Munich Airports on the way to Wien?
Any problems/and or "drama" similiar to what I encountered at Heathrow or in Paris? Just thought I would inquire before I purchse the ticket.
Only good thing about these two airports is that there are stand alone Hermes boutiques in both!
Hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the summer in Wien~
Auf wiedershen
susanvon
Only

Happy Fourth

Hi Everybody:
Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Fourth! Apologies to our British Friends, no offense intended. Why just last week, the third in line to the British Throne, Prince William, said he loved America and would love to live there!
We Americans are very independent, love our Freedom and "Pursuit of Happiness" and maybe we will get these rights back in 2009!
LOL
All the best to everyone in Austria on the Fourth and hope you stay cool!
susan von
ps tried to make it red, white and blue, but only got the red!

Klimtland

Hi Everyone:
I just loved the photos of the Klimt villa. Barbara, I think that you idea is great. You and Idriss move onto the second level, and turn the first floor into a Klimtland, Klimt village similar to the Hundwasser (sp?) house.
You could have a cafe, sell art photos and books, another Klimt related items. Even clothing, smocks, etc similar to what Klimt and Emile Floge wore and designed. The building running along the side used to be a school for textile making, similar to the Floge Sister salon, which by the way now, is a Humanic shoe salon.
You could also have jazz bands, other types of music in the Summer and even rent out the garden for weddings, that would make a lot of Euros.
Barbara, you are a true entrenepuer (sp) in the Donald Trump, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates fashion!
Don't know if these things will come to pass now that the Belvedere has control since the Austrian state owns the Klimt villa. It would be a shame to have it turned into some dark and dusty old warehouse full of archives, instead of a living memorial to GK.
Anyway, hope you all are staying cool.
very hot and humid here in DC since the President and the Congress and the Supreme Court are all in Session!
LOL
susanvon

St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute

The doctors and employees of St. Anna Kinderspital & Kindrekrebs-forschung opened their doors for a special evening a month ago or so (see flyer), for a special evening where we introduced our work (children's cancer research and treatment) to the public.

I had emailed an invitation to everyone, and Roswitha and Duncan, as usual, responded to the call and honored us with their presence. It was a quite busy evening, with talks given by several doctors about their respective work, demonstrations and workshops of laboratory work and research, observation of living cancer cells under the microscope, etc...

For the children (we are a pediatric hospital), there were several shows, including those given by a magician, and other TV and radio celebrities kept the young (and not-so-young) crowd entertained. There was lots of free food and drinks, donated by the employees and by the cancer patient parents to keep the evening going, which stretched to past 11 PM!

We had over 450 visitors, and all were full of praise for our work. It made us feel that our work was worth pursuing, despite funding shortage, dismally low salaries, the very long hours at work, and other shortcomings that are not worth mentioning here. At the end of the day, when one sees a child that was given up by other as terminally ill, get back on her or his feet, we know it has all been worth it!

I have attached a few pics from the event (Barbara's courtesy, as always). The doctors are in their usual clown attire, as not to frighten the children, and have more than one trick in their sack to keep the children laughing!

I guess we could use all the tricks we can get our hands on to fight cancer...

Wishing you all good health.

Until next time, Idriss.

Klimt Villa II

Good afternoon everyone!

I thought it was about time I contributed a post to this blog. For one, it is overdue; two, I have to thank Susan not only for organizing this amazing and unique tour of the villa, all the way from "hot and humid" DC, but also for her kind words and pride about my appearance; three, I had to answer Duncan's suggestion that I might not have been there... Not true: photoshop notwithstanding, both I and the tie were there to keep Barbara's company. Plus, I would'nt have missed the tour for the world!

Due to illnesses and vacations, only a few doctors from St. Anna made it, including myself and St. Anna Hospital and Cancer Institute's President, Pr. Gadner. As Barbara said, Dr. Georg Becker was a most gracious host, and a wealth of knowledge on Klimt's life and work. I knew quite a bit about the work, but as I got to realize, little about the life!

Barbara has managed a great piece of art work, taking this picture of the garden through the glass door that leads to Klimt's "new" atelier, with his name painted on the door!

After everyone departed, Barbara, a colleague and I had the privilege of a private tour of the quarters upstairs, very rarely shown to the public! I have posted here the psychedelic lamp that Susan referred to, as well as a gown that G.K. often wore while working or walking the gardens in search of a floral pattern or other inspirational motifs, and the miniscule stool that Barbara mentioned in her blog, a Congolese wooden chair, the only survivor of two used by the artist. I have also posted an old black and white photograph showing the two stools in the Klimt's atelier.
Finally, I could not resist adding this photograph of a neo-baroque window ornament of the original villa in 1922, now used as a most unique TV stand.

We owe all photographs within to Barbara; a job well done!

Cheers,

Idriss.

Klimt Villa

Hi Everybody!

Idriss and I finally made it to the Klimt Villa and spent a wonderful afternoon there together with the doctors from St. Anna. It was a really special visit where Dr. Becker was kind enough to show us the upstairs and other hidden treasures in the villa. We found the little chair Klimt used to sit on most curious - it is really tiny.

Many many thanks to Susan for making this visit possible and to Dr. Becker for providing us with all the background stories that you just don't find in any book.

All our best to you all,
Barbara & Idriss.

PS: If we manage we'll upload more pictures to share with you the experience and document the state of the building before the planned remodelling.

A small anecdote from the "Donauinselfest".

As you all know Vienna has an island - rather large- in the middle of the Danube. It stretches over 14km and is very green and nice. On a weekend in June every year the town of Vienna organizes an openair festival with plenty of concerts of all kind on this island and this year alone 3 Million people came. It's the largest european open air festival and it's for free.

Now the OEBB (austrian train company) offered reduced tickets throughout Austria to get there. Significantly reduced. They sold plenty even in advance. now you would think they would be prepared for more customers. Think again.

They were not. They didn't have enough trains and neither the trains nor the platforms could take those masses of people that by the way had already purchased their tickets. Well... so smart OEBB had an idea....guess what?.... yes they called the police. Made people leave the train and the train platforms. Now this was friday - and it gives you an idea of Austrians who still waited patiently until they somehow made it to Vienna by train. Well anyway.

Sunday arrives people want to go back home and you would think that the train company has learnt. Well they hadn't or maybe a little. I think they just had the phone number of the police handy... but more trains? that would have been too much thinking to ask for especially because nobody of those customers chased by the police is complaining.

Have a great day!
Barbara

Vienna is Safe Now

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to let you all know that Bruce Willis has left Vienna and the Sacher Hotel. He never made it to the Albertina (he was chased away by adoring women fans). He is now in DC promoting his movie, so you call can feel sorry for me.
The Governator has left Austria also (he was only in Graz) and is now in the UK. Hope the new PM can handle him!
Barbra Streisand cancelled her Vienna tour due to weather, so you are safe from her political rants and raves.
Also, the 2007 Opernball celebrity (I wont say her name) is now out of jail and will be on Larry King tonight, so Vienna is safe from her.
So all you Viennese pals should be safe for a while. Hope the weather cools down and you all have some great times.
susanvon

The Governator in Austria

Hello Everyone:

Hey, where is everyone? Thought we are supposed to stay in touch via our blog, I would love to know what everyone is doing this Summer in Wien! I never make it to Wien in the Summer due to the dearth of ac, but will manage in the future to come over during the Summer moths. I would love to go to the movie nights at the Rathaus, has anyone been there yet?
Today, I saw that Arnie landed in Graz yesterday and was greeted by a MP in full lederhosen, must have been a sight to see, though Arnie was not wearing them! He will be in Austria on a private visit and then on to Britain. I am not sure if he attended President/Secretary Waldheim's funeral on Saturday at St. Stephen's (it was on CNN, very dignified). But I do know that President/Secretary Waldheim attended Arnie's wedding on the Cape many years ago. This time, Arnie brought his daughter, Katherine, who was named after his Mother, which was a nice touch. Hope she appreciates her wonderful Austrian heritage.
Also, hope all the Doctors from St. Anna's enjoy your trip to the Klimt atelier/villa. You all will be the last to tour it, as it will be closed until July of 2008 and may not re-open then to the public.
Best regards to everyone,
susanvon

Condolences for President/Secretary Waldheim

Goss Gott to All our Viennese Bloggers:

Condolences (sp?) to all of our Austrian and Viennese friends on the loss of your former President. Regardless of his politics, he was a true gentleman from the "old school" and always loyal to Austria.

I belive that he was a neighbor of the Klimt Villa/Atelier in Hietzing and supported us in our efforts to maintain it.

best regards to all

susanvon

Third Man Update

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have the Criterion Edition of The Third Man. I think, so far, it is only available in the US>

It is two discs and has one entire disc devoted to the making of the movie. It even includes a piece about the Burg Kino showing the movie every weekend. Also, it has an interview with the little boy with the ball, who is now an adult, just about Duncan's age!

In any case, I will bring the entire dvd set in September for our movie night and Duncan's friend, who has the Third Man Museum may want to attend. The dvd mentions his museum.

Best regards to all

susanvon

Date for our Networking Party in September

Gross Gott Everyone:

It is already June so I want to start organizing our Fall Networking party in September. So I will need some dates from everyone:

Please tell days are your preference and which dates, ie., Mon, Tues, Wed or Thurs and Week of September 17 or Week of September 24.

From eveyone that I have polled so far, the best day seems to be a Thursday, and the best week for everyone seems to be the week of September 17fh.

I need your feebdback ASAP and I will be sending our separate emails as well.

Danke

svon

Last Chance to Visit Klimt Villa/Atelier in Hietzing

Hello Everyone:
Just wanted to alert all of our Vienna Pals and everyone else who reads our Blog, that the Klimt Villa/Atelier in Heitzing will be closing at the end of June of 2007. The jurisdiciton of the Villa has been taken over by the Belvedere. The Federal Government always owned the villa and now the jurisdiciton has been transferred to the Belvedere.

But good news, the Klimt villa will re-open in July of 2008 as the despository of the Klimt archives, so it will be much improved and more professionally managed than it was before.

So, whoever is reading this, please post on the blog that you want a tour of the Klimt Villa/Atelier before Juen 30th and I will arrange it.

I will also be sending around individual email alerts.

All the best to you all in Klimtland,

susan von

Ocean's 13 Premier here in DC!

Hey All You Pals out there in Viennaland!

I have extra tickets for the DC Premier of Oceans' 13 on Monday, June 11th here in Georgetown!

Anybody interested in flying over the Big Pond to go with me?

Let me know and I will make the arrangments!

You can see all of the Hollywood A Listers as well as all of our goofy Members of Congress and Senators here in DC!

My Best to everyone,

susanvon

Happy June in Wien

Gross Gott Everyone:
Just wanted to wish everyone a great Summer in Wien? I would love to know what everyone is doing and what are your Summer plans?
Has anyone been to see the movies at the Rauthasplatz? I always wanted to go but never made it. Had a wonderful trip to Prandorf, great shopping Wolford and Bally there are great, then on to a lovely dinner at Neuseidel with Bernie and Elisabeth. Hope you all get to go there this Summer, it is a beautiful part of Austria that most tourists dont see to appreciate.
Things are quite here for now, but will soon "heat up" with the campaigns, glad that you in Austria are over that.
Hey Idriss and Barbara, how was your event with President Fischer at St. Anna's hospital? Please post photos if you have any. I would have loved to be there, what a great event to have for the wonderful children that are in your care.
All the best to everyone for a great week end.
Susan von

Sand in the city...

For those who currently are in Vienna:

As of today there is an open-air exposition open to the public on Heumarkt. Located between the Hotel Intercontinental and the Konzerthaus various artists display cultures made of sand. The highlight of the event is an 8.5m tall model of St. Stephan. This is a picture:

This is something I hope I'll find time for to visit - I already missed the concert in Schönbrunn but saw some of it on TV. Has anyone been there?

Well whenever we make it to the sand exposition I'll let you know. However, I do think it is worth a visit.

All the best

Barbara

How to get a donor organ ... another absurdity on the horizon

Hi everyone,

I was wondering whether you have already heard of the latest absurdity this planet has to offer. For those who don't know yet a briefing...

A Dutch gameshow/livesoap is going to start soon and guess what the goal of the competitors is this time. No they are not winning a house that they built together or get a car or whatever you may think. No, there are going to be three candidates who have all been HLA matched ( immunotyped so that they have the same immune system properties) with a terminally ill person. All three need a kidney. And now the audience gets to vote via SMS which one of the is going to get the kidney after the person passes away. Now isn't that something that you want to watch on saturday night?

By the way the official's statement concerning this entire project was:

"You know those people have a much better chance and likelyhood to get a kidney this way than being on a regular waiting list for the donor organ"

Anyway I hope that this at least raises the public awareness for the need for such organs and for the need for research to help those people.

I'm looking forward to your opinion and wish everybody a great day!

All the best

Barbara

Travel Through Heathrow Airport

Hi Everyone:

Just wanted to thank our pals and contributors, Idriss and Barbara, for their helpful comments on travelling through Heathrow Airport.
I wanted to share my experience with everyone, in case during the summer, you might travel through that Airport.
For me, it was a nightmare, Nightmare at Heathrow, to quote the old flick. One can only carry one bag, that means for ladies, only a handbag, nothing else, no VAT refund, carry one, etc. For men, that would be just a tote bag holding your laptop, etc. Barbara and Idriss had told me this, but, as usual, I do my shopping in Wien and had lots of Tax Free, VAT iitems. At Heathrow, they would not let me go through the passport control with the Tax Free bag, so I had to run to United's counter and have it checked in. That gave me 10 minutes to get to the United Gate at Terminal 3. I ran all the way, needless, to say that was my exercise for the year. Missed all the great duty free at Terminal 3. I even cried to the Passport Lady, but she said no deal. She said that they (the BAA people) never tell passengers about the one bag rule, so I wasnt the only one. Fortunately, United was pretty good this time and the bag made it on to my plane, so it was waiting for me at Dulles. It better be since all of my great Wien stuff was in there!
Also, I had the nice man at Austrian Customs stamp my VAT forms (it should have been done in the UK (last Schengen place)) but he remembred me since one of my VAT places is the Loos house and he remembered that. He was great, not your usual bureauctric person. He wanted to get rid of me so that he could back to watching the soccer game on his little TV set. So sometimes it pays to be persistent, but not with the BAA people.
If any of you are thinking of travelling this summer to the US or in Europe, avoid Heathrow at all costs, unless it is your end point.
Again, my thanks to Barbara and Idriss and I hope this helps some of you.
Hope to read you all soon.
svon

Hello to Everyone!

Gross Gott:

Just wanted to write and thank everyone for a wonderful trip to Wien! I really enjoyed all the times that we were able to get together, especially seeing the Royal Deutschmeister Band perform in front of the Hofburg as in the days of the Emperor and seeing the lovely objects from the Imperial Auction! Just another reason why Wien is so majestic and noble!

Sorry that we couldn't make our movie night, but hopefully we will be able to in September in between our networking party.

Hope we can all stay in touch through our Blog and that you all will have a wonderful summer and enjoy spending it in Wien.

All the best to everyone,

Susanvon

If anyone is interested...

Hello everybody!

I'm starting to wonder where everyone has disappeared to. Well I myself have not been to active on this blog lately so I thought I just have a look after this long while and I see that everyone is somewhat absent.

So I'd like to contribute to this wonderful idea of an international blog and I don't want it to just disappear.... Talking about international - there is going to be a free concert in Schönbrunn this week (I copied the info underneath my writing). Idriss and I unfortunately cannot attend but I can highly recommend it to anyone who has a bit of free time and doesn't mind a large crowd of people.

Well I'll get back to my work and studies and I hope to hear from you soon... maybe someone is interested in a gettogether sometime soon? There is a place in the Augarten park that sells breakfast until 2pm. I haven't tried it yet but it does look nice...

All my best to everyone!

Barbara.

THE SCHÖNBRUNN CONCERT 2007 – Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Valéry Gergiev
On May 24 the “Concert for Europe” with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will take place for the fourth time in the Schönbrunn Palace gardens - with free admission for the public. Austria’s music salute to the world – the greatest classic open air - has already become a cultural brand for both the republic and the city of Vienna. The story of a unique success up to now: three concerts with a total of 250.000 visitors and about 400 million viewers all over the world.This year’s concert welcomes Russia to Europe: with the famous Muscovite conductor Valéry Gergiev at the conductor’s stand and a program including among others compositions of Mussorgsky, Tschaikowsky, Rimsky-Korsakoff and Strawinsky. As every year, Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer will assume patronage over the concert as well as the Austrian Federal Government and the City of Vienna.Valéry Gergiev is Russia's most renowned contemporary conductor being in great demand all over the world. In his country he is appraised as a hero, because after the collapse of the Soviet Union he could rescue the famous Kirov theatre in St. Petersburg. Since 1988 he is managing the opera house, again renamed to Mariinsky theatre. Gergiev, since this year also chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, is proud of Russia’s music heritage as part of the European cultural tradition. Also for Clemens Hellsberg, who is celebrating this year his 10-Year-Jubilee as executive of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and for the producer of the Schönbrunn Concert, Herwig Ursin the “fascinating manifold and diverse music tradition, yet having common cultural roots, is an important basis for the ongoing intensification of the European Idea, especially in the year of the 50-Year-Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, and also for the spiritual coherence of this continent." The classical music summer open air event of the year will again be broadcasted live by the Eurovision Network as well as by Austria's ORF 2, starting at 9.05 pm.

Movie Night in Wien

Gross Gott:

I am bringing over the movie "Bad Timing" all about Wien by the famed British Director. Is is the new release DVD and includes an interview with the Director as well as outakes from places like the Hawaelka Cafe and the Club on the Dorothegasse.

Not sure what night we will watch it and where but if I have to, I will go the Herr Fisher's or Herr Gustenberger (sp?) place to watch it. So plan on attending!

I will bring the Orville Redenbacher popcorn for us!

svon

Upcoming Trip to Wien

Gross Gott:

Hello everyone, hope you are all doing well. Just to let you know that I will arrive in Wien on Friday, May 4th and hope to see all of you at some time. I will send my contact information under separate e-mail.

Remember the Freud lecture on Sunday, May 6th, our quick movie night and also the Imperial Auction on Tuesday, May 8th @ 5 pm.

I saw our blogmaster when he was in DC, went to WH, Capitol Hill, Air & Space, Freer and Sackler Galleries and COSTCO and had lots of fun.

Has anyone heard from our Wien expert, Duncan? Hope he hasn't decided to relocated to my homeland and will be back with us shortly.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

susanvon

Brunch at Elisabeth's!

Dear all,


I finally managed to do the final touches on the picture and here it is... Everybody (almost; we would have loved to have you Susan...) is in the picture and now guess who took the picture: Was it Idriss or Kathy? The one who finds out is rewarded an extra large piece of cake whenever I get around making one and as we have a new oven now my cakes turn out to be quite enjoyable and not burnt (that explains the enjoyable).

Thanks again to our gracious hosts Elisabeth and Bernie for a wonderful brunch, the most delicious eggs "Benedictine" one can imagine and well just a great time.

Idriss and I are leaving for the States on Friday and we are very much looking forward to it. Even more so we are looking forward to a get together after our return from the States.
I apologize in advance if we're not answering any emails for a while since we won't have a laptop with us.

By the way, the Danubekanal is currently a wonderful area for leisure walks....

I hope everyone is up and well!

Cheers,
Barbara.

Austrian Prme Minister in a Track Suit

Gross Gott Everyone:

I read in a US political journal that your new Prime Minister upon his election on October 1, 2006, was photographed in a Boston Red Sox (US Baseball Team) Track Suit while sitting down at a cafe enjoying a Viennese coffee. The location was not even on the Graben, somplace in the 8th District, where he lives.

Can anyone on our blog or in Vienna verify this? I am just amazed that he would be wearing a Boston Red Sox Track Suit, Wow! Even Bush with his Texas cowboy hat hasnt done this, yet, tha is!

Hope everyone is doing well and that you all are finally having some nice Spring weather.

All the best
svon

Vienna New Wallpaper Guide

Hello Everyone:

I just purchased this new Vienna Wallpaper guide. Quite small and is in Royal Purple. Published by Phaedon (sp?) British company. This guide is compact, fits in a pocket. It is not at concise as Duncan's book and it lists very new places in Wien, ie, the Sytle Hotel, new MAK restaurant, new Haas Haus hotel, T. Mobile center, etc. Not your typical guide book. Things that rich Yuppies would like.
The only item on which I concurred was the listing for the Sacher spa, which is really the best in Wien.
Hope everyone is doing well and looking forward to reading your posts.
svon

April Fool's in Wien

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to change the color to a Royal Purple in honor of April Fool's Day. Do you all in Wien celebrate this day? Not sure if they do in the UK? Maybe our UK experts, Duncan and Richard, can let me know.

Anyway, hope everyone had a great April Fool's Day and didnt get "punked" so to speak.

Have a great Tuesday in a lovely Wien!

svon

Spring has sprung!

Spring appears to have arrived in Vienna and to celebrate the fact, here is a pretty little flower blooming away merrily in the Alpine Garden, near the Upper Belvedere. For those who do not know this garden it is well worth visiting and quite a peaceful corner.
Best wishes to all - Duncan

Viegates-How is Everyone

Gross Gott:

Is anyone from our blog reading these? I just ask because I havent seen any posts recently. Also, I have an invitation from Verlag Czernin for an event at Porgy & Bess, is anyone interested?
Hope everyone is doing well and I promise to send those individual emails.
All the best
svon

AH Addreses in Wien

Hello Everyone:

Over the week-end, in between my campaign work, I went into a antiquidarian book shop in Georgetown and purchased a book by Sydney Jones, who wrote Viennawalks, he spent over 5 years research the book called " AH in Wien, 1903-1907." Is anyone fmailiar with it? I gave it a cursory look and he mentions the 6th Disrict a lot. It seems AH lived on Strumperdorstrasse and walked the Mariahilfstrasse to the first District all the time. It boggers the mind to think that I might have walked on the same streets as AH.

What do you all thinkg of that?

Especially our Wien expert, Duncan, have you ever heard of this book?

Hope you all have a great day tomorrow!
svon

E-Mail Update

Hello Everyone:

Sorry that I haven't answered your individual e-mails but Mr. Gates was in town testifying before the Senate Labor Committee on Hi-Tech Employment in the US and I had to monitor his testimony on C-Span.

But I will work on the individual emails later today or on Friday.

All the best to everyone.

Svon

The Dodo Bird

Dear All
Barbara's lovely image of cells got me thinking about evolution. And whenever I think about evolution I think about the fate of the poor Dodo bird. The Natural History Museum in Vienna contains the best preserved skeleton of a Dodo so I thought you might find my photograph of it interesting.
Long live the Dodo!
Duncan

Endothelial cells

Hello everybody!

Since I find myself stuck with work all the time recently, I felt there was not much of interest to contribute. However, I did some interesting stains at work lately and alright I admit it is not a gigantic squid or Paris Hilton but I still wanted to share the experience with you.





Maybe it's my interest in Biology but I just believe it is beautiful and fascinating and I guess many of you have never seen a cell from up close.
Those cells are stained for tubulin, a protein that builds the skeleton of the cell. Unfortunately, it has been taken at the corner of a slide so that you see the glass rim as a diffuse green rim in the left upper corner. The oval (egg like) darker structures inside the green network are cell nuclei.


A great day to you all!


Barbara



PS: As soon as I manage I'll post the picture from the brunch...
PPS: Did you know that by clicking on the pictures you can enlarge them?

Col. Redl's Hotel Location on Herrengasse

Gross Gott All You Wien Bloggers:

Enough of this boring global warming and Paris Hilton and the Opera Ball, let's get to the good stuff.

Can anyone on our blog tell me the location of Col. Redl's Hotel on the Herrengasse where he committed suicide after he was discovered?

Also, who known the locaiton of the Meisl & Stubl Restaurant on the Neur Markt where the PM was shot during the Great War?

I would like to visit both places when I am in Wien in May.

Whoever can tell me first, gets a Sacher torte at the Cafe!

Put your thinking caps on and that means you, Duncan, our Wien expert.

Svon

ps dont make me have to get the answers at the Tourist Office!!!

Al Gore Global Warming Update for you, Duncan

Hello Everyone,

Just thought that you would all like to know that Al Gore for month here in the US for one of his homes, had an electric bill over $4,000 or about 5,000 Euros!

As I said before, I never saw him here on the DC Metro only is his big, gas (petrol) guzzling
Lincoln Town car. He may even have a Hummer!!

The article is on CNN and I will try to post it here, if not, I will send it to our BlogMaster, Richard, and ask him to post it. That is if he can tear himself away from skiing in Lech with Paris Hilton.

Hope you all have a great day in lovely Wien.

Votre amie

Susan von

Where is Duncan?

Great that everyone is blogging away, but where is Duncan?

I have read him since the giant squid article?

Did he run off to Lech with Paris?

Duncan, let us know that you are out there and all right!

svon

Prague and Francesca von Habsburg Article

Gross Gott:

I have just learned that when I am in Wien in May, I have to travel to Prague to meet my friend, William Lobkowitz (now Furst Wilhelm Lobkowitz) at his new cafe/restaurant in the Palais Lobkowtiz close to the Hardarcy Palace.
Can anyone suggest a quick way to get to Prague from Wien. I have been there once before and took the train from the Sudbahnof and it took 5 hours each way. Horrors! Is there something like the Eurostar going from Wien to Prague? I want to go up and back the say day.

Also, there was a great article in the New York Times Magazine on Francesca von Habsurg and Vienna. It was very insightful and gave me a different take and perspective on her. I think that she is getting to be regarded as a serious collector of art for the 21st Century much the same as her father was for the last century. I will try to post it if I can figure out how. If not, I will send it to our Blogmaster and he can post it.

Hope you all are doing great for a Monday.

svon

Steamy photos....

Now I'm not entirely sure if the squid isn't the better candidate after all....

Did Hilary just discover that running for president might just mean having to entertain handsome young interns in the oval office?

And was the paper pelting and leaving the ball in a huff actually just a red herring to cover up Paris and Richard's recently announced engagement?

Hmmm. I think this blogging could be fun :-) I must admit to having programmed a few, but never having actually contributed. Hopefully I'll find more time for this one......

In the meantime, I wish to briefly report - ie let off steam - that even volunteering in this world has become a ruthless battleground where one has to apply, sit on the edge of one's seat, fist in mouth, awaiting eventual acceptance, expect at least 3 months wait before a project becomes available and then spend a fortune for the pleasure of contributing one's own sweat equity. I think I should take another look in the dictionary for the definition of 'volunteering': it seems to hav change......

Ok, valve closed. Happy again. The trip will be worth it I know, but I had expected it to be a little easier! Anyway, whether 'those in power' allow me to build or not, Costa Rica is beginning to look v.interesting: climable volcanoes, hikable rainforests, learnable language, non-swimmer safe coastline, curious wildlife and lots of lavishable sun. Not unlike Vienna, in fact, to bring us back to the true purpose of this blog........

New Photo

Gross Gott:

Will someone on our blog please post a new photo!!

I am sick of looking at the qiant squid that Duncan posted! Ugh! Even a photo of Hilliary Clinton or Paris Hilton or Richard Lugner would be better than this creature!!!

Where is our Blog Master when you need him??

svon

Our Blog Master Richard

Gross Gott Everyone:

Well, I heard from our Blog Master Richard and he is all right, just very busy. I am glad that he is not mad at me for the comment I made about HC's legs; also he did not run off skiing with Paris Hilton after the Opera Ball.

A special kuds to our Wien expert, Duncan, who has been blogging away and even posted a photo of a squid; he is getting to be quite the expert.

Hope to read from all of our bloggers soon, ie, Idriss, Barbara, etc. It is a great way to stay in touch.

Hope you all have a great week-end and hope that Dame Helen Mirren wins the Oscar!

Auf wiedersen

Svon