Guten Tag, liebe Leser! That’s “Good day, dear readers!” in the local language of Austria. This grumpy but ever-curious gnome has just ambled his way 15.3 kilometers from Mödling to the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria.

One observation that has completely blown my hat off is the sheer number of bicycles in Vienna! It seems like every individual, whether young or old, is pedaling around on two wheels. I even saw a dog on a bike! (Don’t ask me how that worked. I’m still trying to figure it out myself).

A local verse that caught my attention goes like this: “Wien, Wien, nur du allein, Sollst stets die Stadt meiner Träume sein“. This translates to “Vienna, Vienna, only you, Should always be the city of my dreams.”

Oh, how true that verse rings! Though I must confess, it’s not just Vienna. Each city I’ve visited has left its mark in its own unique way. From Klosterneuburg to Baden bei Wien, and from there to Mödling, and now here in Vienna, the journey has been nothing short of magical.

These wandering boots (and gnomic beard) have now traveled an overall distance of 4824.7 kilometers. Not too shabby for someone whose legs are only a few inches long, eh? It’s been 161 days on the road, and each day brings a new adventure, a new story.

There was no border crossing on this journey, but I did notice a shift in dialects. The Viennese have their own spin on German, adding a charming lilt to the language.

As I prepare to move on to my next destination, Schwechat, I leave you with a philosophical musing from a local I met in a Viennese coffee house: “Das Leben ist wie ein Fahrrad. Um das Gleichgewicht zu halten, musst du in Bewegung bleiben“, which means “Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Well, with that, it’s time for this gnome to keep moving! Bis zum nächsten Mal (Until next time)!

Greetings from the heart of Europe, from the city of Waltzes and Sachertorte, the marvelous Vienna! This city is a treasure trove of culture and history. A tip of the hat to the legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who left his indelible mark here. I stood in awe at the grandeur of the Vienna State Opera, where his symphonies once filled the air. As the Austrians say, “Ohne Musik wäre das Leben ein Irrtum” (Without music, life would be a mistake).

Then, I promenaded through the narrow alleys, stumbling upon the Hundertwasserhaus. This architectural marvel, a creation of renowned artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, is a true feast for the eyes. Its unique and quirky design is an homage to the eccentricity of this city. As the local Viennese put it, “Alles hat seinen Preis” (Everything has its price), and the price for this cultural richness is simply a visit to Vienna!