Easter Monday is celebrated as a national holiday in Austria, so the banks were closed yesterday. This meant today was my chance to try exchanging those USD traveller's cheques. I did try checking the exchange rates at the airport and currency exchange booths, but they all seemed to be offering terrible rates. The bank rate was much better, and I found out their commission is different if you're exchanging cash (compared to traveller's cheques). Apparently, the commission for cash is higher by approximately 1.2% of the amount being exchanged. So, I was quite pleased to have the teller quote me a lower rate once I produced my traveller's cheques.
After I was done at the bank, my next task was to find a grocery store to get some hand lotion. I found some on the other side of the Danube (since I was headed that way to cycle) - and had some fun comparing prices and products to what we have in Canada. The prices are actually pretty similar for most things (even Ricola, which you'd think would be cheaper in Europe), but differ a lot for dairy (yogurt and milk were cheaper by a lot, same with ice-cream). Stuff they have that we don't: alcohol (of course, and for ridiculously low prices), frozen sushi(!), way more flavours for Lindt chocolate, and a ton of Red Bull (not sure why...). Oh, and water is mostly of the carbonated variety, maybe because people can get "still" water from taps?
Armed with water, I was now set to go cycling! It seemed like a good idea for about 5 minutes, then I realized that the rental bikes have extremely worn brakes (when do they do maintenance on these things?!), no seat adjustment, and only one speed. Oh, and cycling in 1-degree weather with no gloves meant that my hands were freezing and turning numb. But too late! I had already committed to the rental, so might as well make the most of it - and I did... along the Danube River as planned. It was actually a decent route, with bike paths clearly marked everywhere - drivers in Vienna are pretty aware of cyclists for the most part, but that might have been because I was going so slow that they had lots of time to react.
After a couple of hours, my hands were pretty icy, so I headed back to thaw myself out and continue exploring on foot. Curious about whether I could find any interesting eats at the Naschmarkt, I headed for a walk via Stadtpark. On the way, I think I passed a crew setting up for a movie premiere of Oblivion - there were a bunch of people crowded around the area, probably hoping for a glimpse of Mr. Cruise.
At the Naschmarkt, there were a lot of vendors selling vegetables, fruits, nuts, deli meats, and various souvenir-type stuff. I ended up eating at a simple restaurant, sampling a lamb skewer along with some Gelber Muskateller wine. After last night's Reisling, the Muskateller was a bit of a letdown. To compensate, I headed to Cafe Dreschler for some after-dinner coffee.
In Vienna, there are different ways to order coffee, just like in Canada. One specialty is the Maria Theresia Kaffee - coffee blended with orange liquer, topped with whipped cream and orange garnish. I think I felt more punch from the coffee than the wine!
With the alcohol keeping me warm, I took a leisurely stroll back to Graben to end the day.
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