Musings on Vienna

Sadly we are leaving Vienna today after a great week. Thanks to Karls cousin we have stayed in an apartment to the south of Vienna, about 20 minutes by train to the centre. Vienna is a very clever city in so many ways. First of all, its public transport is amazingly efficient and cheap. It all runs smoothly and is so easy to get around. People here cant afford to buy their own homes so there is an extensive public housing program which manages to create a real village feel despite huge apartment blocks or housing estatea as we might call them. The complex we are in probably houses at least 10 000 people, with the apartment blocks around the outside and a huge green space in the middle including space for dogs. In the long summer evenings, the sound of children playing as families enjoy a picnic dinner with thwir neighbours is a true community feel, one we dont get at home in our isolated suburban blocks. The primary school is very close, as are supermarkets, the bakery and other shops. The train station is also right here, and easy for prams, disabled people and dog friendly. In fact, vienna and most parts of Europe are dog friendly. Dogs go on the train, in the shopping malls and indeed right into the shops. They are so well socialised and so are the dogs! No messy footpaths, no barking or barging...it is so nice to see. Energy wise Vienna generates its electricity through the burning of rubbish and many buildings have solar panels. On top of all that, the food is supa scrummy, the beer good, the art and music rapturous. So bye to Vienna, its been a hoot. Now onto Munich...