Our European Anniversary Trip - Vienna

After leaving Nove Mitrovice, we were on our way to Vienna for a couple of days.  We were driving for a while and got hungry and spotted a KFC so stopped to get lunch. 

We got full and didn't finish all of our food so I went up to ask for a to go box - they charge for to go containers!  So I just wrapped up what we had left in the french fries package.  Also, they don't just give away condiments such as ketchup, mayo, etc., you pay for those too!

We arrived at our hotel late afternoon - Hotel Kaiserhof Wien.  It was gorgeous!  

Our room was up the stairs and last door on the right.  

After settling in, we went to the bar and had a couple of drinks.  This place was really nice and we chatted a lot with the bartender.  He had actually been to Texas and goes back every other year.  Said he has his cowboy hat and boots waiting for him when he gets to Texas.  

I wanted something other than beer since that was all we were drinking while in Prague.  I ordered a rum and Coke.  After I was done, I had asked the bartender to make me an Old Fashioned, but because not only was he the bartender, he was the cook also so when people ordered food he had to prepare it, so he was too busy that night to make one for me.  

The day after we arrived we went to the Spanish Riding School Guided Tour.  I originally thought we were going to get to see the training of the Lipizzaners but it was the history of how it came about.  It was all very interesting.  Another interesting fact - Lipizzaners are born dark or black and then over a period of years (can be 6-10) their coats lighten up to grey.  

Spanish Riding School foyer 

Our young guide

The arena where they perform

The tack room

We also learned if the horse has a white pad under their saddle, they are still in training.  The Spanish Riding School receives several applications each year, but only around three are accepted.  It takes several years for those that are accepted to train.  I found this on the internet:

Spanish Riding School

And yes, women are accepted in to the program.  One requirement is the rider has to know fluent German, that is the only language used to give commands to the horse.  

After the tour and we got back to our hotel, we went to the bar again and I got my Old Fashioned.  I watched the bartender make it and quizzed him on the steps.  He gave me some pointers and I made notes in my phone.  He used Four Roses bourbon and it was so smooth, so much so I had two that evening!

After a little while this guy joined us at the bar.  We all started talking and he was from Canada and on a guys trip with a friend.  When we were ready to leave, he wanted to pay our tab, said we were good company while sitting there.  

The next day we would be leaving for Germany, but plans changed.............