Grüß Gott, meine lieben Freunde! It’s your favorite gnome, Oliver, reporting from the road again. Today, I want to take you back to my 21.9km journey from Klosterneuburg to Schwechat, Austria.

As I made my way across the emerald green landscape, the change in scenery was as subtle as the transition from a Mozart melody to a Strauss waltz. The rolling vineyards of Klosterneuburg gently gave way to the industrial heartland of Schwechat, the home of Austria’s largest oil refinery.

But what caught my attention wasn’t the massive machinery or the bustling activity. No, it was a small, unassuming garden gnome, just like me, standing proudly in the front yard of a small house. He was painted in the colors of the Austrian flag – red, white, red. A simple gnome, but a powerful symbol of Austrian pride and resilience.

I couldn’t help but stand there, for what seemed like hours, reflecting on the quote by Friedrich Nietzsche that says, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” This gnome, like many Austrians, knew his “why” and stood tall despite the industrial chaos around him.

In the local dialect, they might say, “A guade Einstellung bringt di weit” which translates to “A good attitude takes you far.” It’s a sentiment I’ve seen embodied in the people I’ve met on my travels, from the welcoming folk of Wiener Neustadt to the resilient residents of Baden bei Wien.

As I hopped back onto the road, I couldn’t help but hum the local song “Im Prater blüh’n wieder die Bäume”, a beautiful melody that encapsulates the spirit of Austria. It reminded me that even in the midst of industry, there is always room for beauty and culture.

In total, I’ve been on the road for 155 days and have travelled an astounding 4692.2 kilometers. From the historic streets of Tulln to the vibrant city life of Schwechat, each kilometer has been filled with discovery, joy, and a little bit of grumpiness (can’t forget that!).

Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and as the Austrians say, “Bleib immer neugierig!” (Stay always curious!). Auf Wiedersehen!

Day 155, and I’ve made my way to the historical city of Schwechat. Now, don’t let its name confuse you, there’s nothing ‘schwe’ about it. In fact, it’s pretty ‘süß’ (sweet)!

Firstly, Schwechat is home to Austria’s largest brewery, the Brauerei Schwechat, which is like the Mozart of beers, consistently composing masterpieces since 1632. That’s a lot of years and a lot of beers!

Secondly, there’s the Haydn Villa. Yes, you heard right! The same Haydn who was a buddy of Mozart and Beethoven. Joseph Haydn, the composer, lived and worked here for many years. His house, now a museum, is a ‘must visit’ (ein Muss). You can almost hear his Symphony No.94, the ‘Surprise’ playing in the background.

The city’s motto is “Frisch, fromm, fröhlich, frei” (Fresh, pious, cheerful, free). That’s Schwechat for you – a city that’s as bubbly as its beers and as harmonious as Haydn’s melodies!