Day 57: Vienna, Bratislava day-trip

4:50am shuttle bus to Vienna. It was a good deal that we couldn't pass up. The only trade-off was the super-early start to the day. Shuttle bus was the best way of getting to Vienna -- direct, cheaper, leaving straight from the main square, and dropping off near Vienna's train station. Aside from us, there was one other couple on the bus. Being so early, we slept most of the way.

After settling into our pension room and taking a short nap, we decided we'd day-trip to Bratislava. It's only an hour by train and this early-started day basically gave us an extra day in Vienna.

Coming off the train, it was immediately a different feeling from Western and maybe even Central Europe. Gloomy might describe it, but in a hopeful, things-are-improving kind of way. The environment became more 'colorful' when we got to the old town.

Since our shoes hadn't dried from yesterday yet, we were walking around in our sandals (with socks). We might have looked a bit silly but it also seemed strangely appropriate considering the old town had quite a few 'whimsical' elements -- humorous statues and cannonballs purposefully wedged into random buildings.



Bratislava's a lot cheaper than its nearby cities in other countries. We had the cheapest gelato we've seen in all our euro-country travels, 50 euro cents per scoop ^o^

There was some sort of fish soup festival near the ice cream place. When we first got there, the festivities seemed to have just started not too long ago. Lots of tents with people preparing soup, a stage with live music, and people just hanging out. The long line to get bowls reminded me of the long lines to get cups at art&wine festivals we have in the Bay Area.



There was even an army-looking vehicle cooking fish soup!