HempWanderings: Independence Day in Austria

Fall travel, our preference for cool weather and light crowds, may also bring surprises, like celebration of a one sort or another. Today happens to be Austria’s National Independence Day and I couldn’t be happier for Austria, but as you would expect, brought big crowds and much pomp and pageantry… and I couldn’t be happier for us; it was quite an opportunity to join in the revelry.

Airplane flyovers, marching military bands, outdoor classical concerts and just a bunch of happy folks, with some that remember the event in 1955. We just hit it

lucky to be able to share it with them.

Among the attendees were the Austrian defense. The reunification treaty disallows a real army but they do have a significant national defense force. The prime minister and the Secretary General were here and the defense force was out to respond if needed. Radar installations and, what I would say were anti-aircraft defense rocket trucks parked in strategic places covered with tarps. Helicopters and medical trucks were also evident. Interesting to see but sobering to know they might be called to action.

After the war Austria was divided by the Allies (US, USSR, UK, France) into four sections, one each governed through a partnership of some sort. A difficult management system from the outset and especially during the Cold War. Around 1955 or so negotiations reunified Austria, and the nation identified as the first victim of Nazi Germany takeover aggression, again was governed by its own people.

Even with the national event, our day in the city wasn’t sufficient to satisfy our interests, tomorrow time will help, but a return trip may be in order. Truly spectacular city.

We have our first real loss of the trip, our attendance at a concert featuring the compositions of Mozart and Strauss is sold out. Another reason to return.

I will share various photos of the architecture and sights of Vienna with little information because so much was happening so fast I missed the info. We’ll be cruising to Budapest tonight, and be there for the duration of the trip.

Been great, but looking forward to being off the ship and wandering. Jim