The Living Nightlights in the Prater

The Wiener Riesenrad (Viennese Big Wheel) in the Prater is a ferris wheel spinning with 15 gondolas and when they mount to the top of the wheel, one can enjoy a sweeping view of the city. I was a tad nervous before getting in the cabin but the ride was nothing like those experienced on the loop-the-loops roller coasters. I kind of expected the wheel to stop though (like it did in the Bond film, The Living Daylights) but I was told, if anything gets stopped for me, it should be the London Eye (twice as large as the Riesenrad), just to make it count.

Here's To You, my Blog!

I write five posts each month, with this being the 61st. It all means that my blog just turned 1. Wow. I came a long way during the past 12 months, travelled far and wide but the initial aims have remained unchanged: through this blog, I would like to share all those beautiful things that inspire and fascinate me during my journey in life. If the success of a blog is to be measured by the number of followers, comments and citations/link backs, then my blog is the biggest nonstarter in the existence of blogkind. It has, however, been rather meant for an online journal written to myself, having some fun during the process. Have I enjoyed it? Immensely. So then, for me, this is success. A success that is to be celebrated with a cup of peppermint tea and strawberry pancakes. Many happy returns of the day.
P.S. And I still have not quite given up on a publishing offer and/or a Hollywood movie contract. Just kidding. Well, give me the leading role in the film, and I might reconsider selling the rights. (I wonder if peppermint tea makes one delusional...)

Engineering Wonders

The Scharnebeck twin ship lift is far from being described as "oh-so-cute", but the time spent with technical translation has given me a sense of appreciation for such impressive engineering structures. The ship lift is situated 10km to the north-east of Lunenburg, on the Elbe Lateral Canal which connects the Midland Canal with the River Elbe. The 61m height difference between the water levels is overcome by a lock in Uelzen, and the boat lift in Scharnebeck. More than 21,000 ships with a maximum displacement of 1,350 tonnes pass through the lift each year.

Boden's Fine Line

There are so many signs indicating that the summer is at an end. One of them is that the autumn Boden catalogue (employing a dainty combination of drawings and photos) has arrived. It is as amazing as ever. While I admit that the brand seems to have a bit of a "Yummy-Mummy-meets-Stepford-Wives" vibe, I do not share the revulsion of those being offended by Boden's alleged middle-class smugness and Sloaney superiority. I really love their signature, bright colors and bold patterns and the fact that their clothing items stand the test of time and refuse to follow the ephemeral trends dictated on catwalks, then ripped off and mass-produced by fast-fashion retail giants. Those with a positive outlook on life and an appreciation for simple pleasures will like Boden's happy, peppy style. As with anything, less is more though, so do not attempt to wear it from head to toe.

Summer Heat, Ice-Cream Treat

Founded in 1952, Tichy Eissalon has grown into an institution that boasts of serving one of the best ice-creams in the Austrian capital of Vienna. It is, however, more frequented by tourists and devoted locals than by discriminating ice-cream gourmets. No wonder. The Tichy products are the hallmarks of the 60's: tons of sugar and loads of cream. It is a lovely retro scence, superb for a journey in time back but they definitely do not cater for the taste and calorie needs of modern people. (The whole phenomenon somehow reminds me of our beloved Jégbüfé in Budapest, that used to be one of a kind and we can't help but keep loving it ever since, although it has long ceased to be the greatest sweet shop in town.)
Tichy offers around 17 different flavors of ice-cream and 40 different types of sundaes, including the famous and patented Eismarillenknödel (small dumplings of vanilla ice-cream with apricot filling and in walnut coating) invented by Kurt Tichy in 1967. It was cloyingly sweet and excessively rich for my taste but the experience is definitely worth a try.
What I really like though are their posters illustrated by the lovely Susan Gal that were made for the opening of season 2009.

The Local Charm

For many, beach holiday means heading abroad and soaking up the sun from a towel laid directly on the warm sand, on one of the Mediterranean coasts. But due to the tough economic climate (and maybe some nostalgic affection), a lot of British, Swedish and German travellers opt for so-called staycations, so the old-fashioned, glorious seaside holidays are making something of a comeback in these countries. To get the taste of what it is like to have a "cooler" vacation, think of the film version of Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun or the Polo Sylt catalogue or Daniel Bergman's Sunday's Children.

In Travemünde, the weather was fair, still I did not feel like taking a dip into the icy water of the Baltic Sea. Luckily, Strandkorbs (beach basket) provide a solid shelter from the elements of nature. Since its invention in 1882 by Wilhelm Bartelmann, the Strandkorb has developed into a cult object and has become a hallmark of German seaside vacations and coastal living all over the world.

Flea Market Finds No. 2

Where did I get the junking bug from? Have a peek into my Mum's cupboard. That's where the answer lies. She is a real flea market, thrift store and sale junkie who religiously gets up at 5.30am every Saturday to start treasure hunting from pole position. In addition, she has a fine taste and a well-trained eye to find items with character in the heaps of junk. One of her favorite collectibles is chinaware. Aren't they lovely?