Day 230: Parks, Prater, Films, and Fairs
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Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing &
friends.
Day
230 — Parks, Prater, Films, and Fairs
19-March-1972
(Sonntag–Sun.)
TRANSCRIPT
People in the park
Extremely good day.
It was beautiful weather, sunny and warm. Right away,
the city of Vienna becomes its very beautiful
self—with its people taking walks, parks, and
beautiful buildings to enjoy. It made me feel
extremely good.
I still had to practice horn and piano a few hours in
the morning. Even that went fairly well. Still going
good.
Then went to Prater. Very crowded. Sort of a comic
atmosphere (Seaside Heights). Mostly went to see the
International Wiener Messe—Fair. It wasn’t bad.
Mostly a showing of a lot of commodities—from High
Tower Kranes (?) to food specialities. There is
certainly no lack of luxury commodities to be had, if
you can afford it. I get a big kick out of the radio,
television, music departments. You were allowed to
play the things and the total effect was like some
weird “happening” or something. Perhaps a wild
diskotek. Also got a big kick out of the Tier
Houses—four houses or barracks of Austrian Prize
cows. Unbelievable—also the smell. I felt sorry for
the animals.
Then went to another part of the Film Festival and
saw Yugoslavian short films. Only a couple were
really good. “The Ring” was awfully brutal—fast
moving pictures and heavy music pounded you. The
result in the ring. (2) Colt 15 Gap. Excellent.
Revolting film of a slaughterhouse. Built up suspense
and revulsion from beginning to a sickening
heightening—and then fade away.
REFLECTIONS
Walking
in Vienna. The
opening photo shows the common sight of people
enjoying the beautiful parks of Vienna in good
weather—spring, summer, fall. I have always liked to
walk, but walking on a beautiful Sunday in Vienna is
special. As I have mentioned, I would head from my
apartment near Votivkirche and walk towards the
center of Vienna, all of which includes the famous
buildings and surrounding parks and plazas. Depending
on which of several directions I was heading (say,
round trip), I could pass the…
• Votivkirche
• University of Vienna
• Burgtheater and Burggarten
• Rathaus
• Parliament
• History and Art Museums
• Hofburg
• St. Stephansdom plaza
• Staatsoper
What a walk. I have mentioned this before, but it is
worth repeating.
Photos.
Here are a
few photos that you can see on this walking tour.
Votivkirche
University
of Vienna
Burgtheater
Rathaus
park setting
Parliament
The
Hofburg
Nature
in the park
Kids
in the park
Birds
in the park
Art and History Museums
St.
Stephansdom architecture
Vienna
Staatsoper
Prater.
Prater is
a giant amusement park. I imply that it is like
Seaside Heights (ocean boardwalk with rides and
concession stands) in New Jersey but it is totally
different. It has a signature ferris wheel, rides,
amusements, and food. Below is a montage of some
pictures from Prater.
Vienna International Messe. At Prater,
I am going to see the Vienna International Fair,
which adds many more exhibits to see and some smelly
cows. I didn’t mean to offend the cows, but a city
boy, is not used to the smells of the farm. Poor
animals. The fair sounded like fun.
Film
Festival.
Tonight’s film festival seems to be on the gory
side—boxing and slaughterhouses. Yuk! I’m not a fan
of blood and gore and generally don’t like this
stuff. I do comment on the cinematic impact of the
films.
John
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