Austria trip, part 4: why I like travelling

Women on a bench outside the farmer's market.


(Trip report continued from Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. Also check out my gradually expanding Austria trip photo album.)

Everyone has a different preference for "sightseeing" in another country. I tend to veer away from too many organized tours and big group activities. While these can be informative and fun, they leave little flexibility for individual interests.

I like to get an overview of a place or building via advance research or a quick tour, but then be able to follow up on my own, spending more time on things I find most interesting. Unfortunately one of the realities of vacations is TIME; if you only have one day in Vienna, for example, you inevitably end up rushing through sights and experiences you'd ordinarily want to spend an entire afternoon for each.




Took this photo when Jeff and I decided to walk
to Pottenbrunn on our own one day.


My idea of hell, I have to say, would be one of those "42 countries in seven days" bus tours. I think it's the crowds that would get to me. I've never been much of a crowd person, even in my own country. I don't mind occasionally doing the "everyone shuffle into this tiny room while the guide finishes her brief talk and it's time to shuffle into the next room", especially if it's the only way to access some tourist sights. BUT I also need something more to truly enjoy a vacation in another country.




A gypsy band (led by Harri Stojka, on the left) performed at the Schloss for us.
Many thanks to Arline for arranging this!


It's one of the reasons I usually attempt, even a feeble one, at learning the native language in advance; making some kind of connection with the people in the country, even in a minor way, greatly enhances the travel experience for me. Staying in the Schloss with a group of friends was also a huge bonus, getting to know the staff, establishing (even very briefly) a feeling of a "home base", a place to come back to after a day of sightseeing.





It would be a shame to visit Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower, but if I had one day in Paris and a choice between a tour of the Tower or spending the afternoon in an outdoor cafe, people-watching, I'd opt for the latter.




Vienna Choir Boys performance in Vienna.


In the end, what I love most about travelling is that I get a glimpse of a different way of life. It's a breath of fresh air, really, and a reminder not to take things for granted, good or bad.




Cora in Durnstein with a Caffe Melange.


It's like food, really. Hm...interesting how everything can relate to food somehow, isn't it? :-)

I might like porridge one day and start eating it every morning for breakfast. I may not even get bored with it, adding different toppings and serving it in a variety of dishes. But HEY, one day someone's set a dish of (*gasp) scrambled eggs down by my bowl of porridge. And crispy bacon.




Jeff!


And suddenly my world is changed. I still like porridge but y'know, maybe I'll try something different every so often. Mix things up, experiment a bit.

Ok, I'll stop with the food analogy. Besides, it's making me hungry again.

By the way, I feel the same way about travelling whether it's overseas or to the U.S. or even a little town fifty miles from Toronto. It's one reason I like snooping through neighbourhood grocery or department stores; I find you get a pretty good sense of some lifestyle differences that way. :-)




Typical street in Durnstein.


I'll end this entry with a poll question: Do you like travelling? If you like it, WHY do you like it? What is your focus during the trip? Sightseeing? Socializing? Food? etc.




Durnstein Abbey.


(Trip report to be continued)

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