Naschmarkt

I got my first pastry that I didnt like friday morning.  It was called a cremekrapf and was really similar to a sugar donut but had a really gross black jelly filling.  I dont know what it was but I will never buy one of those again.  Work was good, and towards the end of the day it started warming up.  I left  a little early to go home and get some groceries before everything closed.  I made plans to go to the Naschmarkt (vienna's famous weekend market) today and had to take my first U bahn trip (train system) in order to get there.  The market is really famous for selling fresh fruit, fish, meat, and cheese and If I had been looking for something in particular I am sure they would have had it.  Also--on saturdays there is a flea market at the southern end of the naschmarkt that draws just as many visitors as the food does.

I walked the market/flea market for a long time just sort of watching and listening.  It was really exciting being in such a large crowd of people and it was obvious that there was a market culture--sort of like at blacksburg surplus auction.  

On my way out of the market I stopped and got a huge box of teriyaki chicken with noodles and began my walk home--about 3.5 km.  I decided to walk along the danube canal that goes through vienna.  It was really peaceful and there were lots of bikers and walkers to keep me entertained.  By the time I reached the street that I would normally turn on, I had decided that today would be the day that I finally see the danube.  I kept walking along the canal as I knew It eventually meets back up with the danube at the northern tip of Vienna.  I walked for a long time (probably another 4 km) but the perfect weather made it easy to keep going.  I finally reached the danube and was surprised at how wide and fast it was.  It was also really excited to have reached the edge of the city.  When my bike gets here i think I will take a long ride out along the canal--to the danube--and then go as far away from vienna as I can.

I have no idea what I will do tomorrow but am more excited about dinner right now.  The pictures I posted are of...the Liechtenstein palace that is litrally right behind my building, a few shots of the danube canal path and finally the mighty danube!