Vienna, Austria

Seems that winter days are back =/ Not that we had had any actual winter, but after some days of beautiful sunshine and nice temperatures, it is all gray and dark and rainy and cold again...blah :((
So being that I don't have that many obligations today and the weather is kinda begging you to stay indoors (not difficult to convince me at all), here comes another update, and today it is all dedicated to Postcrossing meeting cards :)
I have received a lot of these over the years, I have already posted some before, some are still left to see the light of the blog, but for today I have randomly chosen the following, most of which arrived during last year.

Will open this with one of the many cards I have received from Anita and from the meetings that have been taking place in Austria. And most of the time they have some specially designed cards for the event, like the one you can see here, where the Postcrossing meeting was merged with a book fair in Vienna - now how perfect is that? Books and postcards! And I'm pretty sure there were cakes somewhere in the story as well :)

I have never really asked who is the designer behind these cards, but now that I think about it, it might be Anita itself actually :) And I am really happy that I had the chance to meet her recently during my one day trip to Graz where from what I thought would be a cup of coffee, turned out into a lovely day well-spent! She really made sure we feel welcome and cosy in Graz!

On the back of course you can see the signatures, where I recognize like just half of the usernames. However, I am delighted with the stamp! Falco! Can't believe it it's been 20 years since he had died (speaking of deaths, today I learned that Stalone has moved into a different world as well...actually seems like a lot of famous people have already said goodbye to this world already this year and one that truly saddened me was when I heard last week that Jóhann Jóhannsson died too =/)

The Falco stamp was issued last year, commemorating 60 years since his birth. And besides the great stamp, the cancellation is also very interesting, though I am not exactly sure if it is supposed to represent something special or no - I see the name of Lustenau given, along with its postcode.

Thanks a lot lot to Anita for this one and all the other lovely cards she has surprised my mailbox with.  ❤

Vienna, Austria

It has been a while since I've posted something from my trips here and cards have seemed to pile up, so it is about time to decrease that pile and take a short tour from my last year trips...and a few extra cards :)
Now before I get down to this, in case you sometimes don't get a card from me from my travels, it may be cos of a few reasons:

- time-constraints....sometimes my agenda is so tight, that I just dont have that right time to write some cards =/

- finances...frankly, this may be the most frequent reason...being a freelancer, I travel on the budget most of the time, and sometimes money is unfortunately limited =/

- change of address...some of you people end up moving and I either had no idea about it, or hadn't noted the correct address down and the card doesn't reach you...although I must point out the Norwegian Postal system has done a tremendous job here, delivering a card to someone who didn't live at the address for over a year :)

- and last but not least, the card gets lost....and right now I am so frustrated with the Spanish postal system, cos it has delivered like just half of the cards I've sent from my last trip..HALF! And we are speaking about like more than 40 cards here....HALF delivered...and it's been a month!! It is just outrageous!! It is not just about the money here, but also the thrill, you know...you send surprise cards to people, and then there is no sign of it...disastrous!

well, anyways, lets see what was on the agenda last year...I did this update somewhat chronologically...


First in April, it was Vienna...

Even though I've been to Vienna before, I didn't mind having it on the agenda again cos my previous encounter with this fantastic city was in 2004, so it was about time to refresh those memories...and what can I say, I fell in love with it again...
Went there with my two travelling buddies, Marija and Sašo for the Easter holidays, and it was a cool trip from the very start...we went by bus (yeah, I know I know Vienna is far, but here a lot of trips are organized by bus since it also makes them very affordable)...and for the first time in my life I got to sit right behind the driver...and had this fantastic view in front of me while we were on the road...no other people's heads or seats, just a great view! I was so thrilled, that I barely slept...just didn't want to miss out something...ok, I admit, the driver was this charming man, so I just kinda wanted to chat with him, even though I am quite terrible when chatting to people I don't know and extremely clumsy when it is a person I like in question....but well making a fool of myself isn't something new :)

Then we had to cross the Hungarian border...but the guy from the Travel Agency got a call that there is a huge line of buses waiting at the Horgos-Roszke border that's usually used, so they all decided that we would go to the Kelebija-Tompa one...based on my passport stamp.
Even though we arrived there in the middle of the night, last thing I'd expected was that we would wake up the people working there...they were actually surprised to see us, wondered how on Earth did we know about that border crossing and openly told us NOT to come to their border crossing on our way back....huh?!!
One of the man who was stamping the passports asked our tour-guide to sing something in Macedonian if we wanted to cross the border...huh again??  And it is one of those moments when you don't know if you should burst out laughing or play it cool cos you don't know what consequences it may have...

Anyways, we arrived in Vienna, in beautiful sunshine, and the first day of course was the usual sightseeing...that's when I found this Hundertwasser card, scribbled it on the bus and dropped it in the mailbox...Hunderwasser is like one of my favourite spots in Vienna...it is like the Austrian Gaudi.

We also got to visit the Belvedere...and a bit later I posted it on Facebook...just to realize that my friend from Taiwan, HsuPeng was also there just an hour or so later! I couldnt believe it at the coincidence...I mean what are the chances that you end up at the same spot with a friend from a totally different part of the world?!! Well, we didnt manage to see each other then of course, we both had our own packed agendas, but we caught up a few months later here in Skopje :)

On the second day we weren't really in Vienna (see the next post), and on the third day, we went to the Donaturm first - me hanging there

and then afterwards, most of the people went to Schönbrunn...but being that I've already visited the place, didnt feel like going again...well one of my friends has been there too and our first idea was to go back to Belvedere and see the Klimt exhibition...but I changed my mind and went to Prater instead...I like Klimt, but honestly I'm kinda fed up with museums and cathedrals and all...don't get me wrong about this..I love art and history...but sometimes when my time at a place is so limited (and it always is), I don't feel like spending half or an entire day at a museum...Id rather be doing something else even if that means just chilling out with coffee and observing people or just walking around...anyways, this time Prater won, cos I totally love roller-coasters and there was no way Id choose Klimt over this :)

well, of course, the meeting point later was at Schönbrunn, so since my friend and I arrived there a bit early, we took a walk around the gardens...and of course, took a few pictures :)

and unfortunately, after Schönbrunn, we started our journey back home...so yeah, a really short stay...but a great one...and it wouldnt be me if I didnt get to drink coffee/eat something sweet whenever possible :) Highly recommend the Ice Cream parlour on Schwedenplatz...and the other ones were awesome, but can't possibly recall the names...the one with the Mozart liquer was Castelletto - that was actually more like a restaurant, but with a really cool atmosphere...and I think the one with the cake was somewhere on Stephansplatz...I always kinda mix Schweden and Stephansplatz...

are you still with me??!! Good :)

two stamps on the card...the one on the right was issued in 2003 in a set of two stamps titled "Holidays in Austria" and this one shows Mondsee...the bird stamp is from the two Fauna stamps issued in 2010, with this one showing European Roller.

so, briefly..or maybe not that briefly, that was Vienna :)

Graz, Austria

Next come three cards from the beautiful Graz - all arrived last year as result of a swap with Anita.

I've been to Vienna and Salzburg...and Graz is on the list of Austrian places that I'd really really love to visit one day...Im quite sure it will win me with its charm, just like Vienna and Salzburg have!

It is the second largest city in Austria (after Vienna), with a population of just 303,000 people - so ideal for me!
Look at those lovely buildings and cool tramps at the city square!

The stamp on the first card was issued in 2013 in a set of 3 painting stamps representing the Ski World Championships in Schladming



What I also love about this town is all the greenery it has...unlike here, where they keep and keep cutting down trees in order to erect new buildings.

Graz, with its six universities, has a long tradition as a student city. In 1999, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, and also Graz was sole Cultural Capital of Europe for 2003 and got the title of a City of Culinary Delights in 2008.
I am not sure what those Culinary Delights are, but I sure would love to try them out!

a fantastic stamp on this card! Issued in 2012 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Karl Ritter von Ghega, (1802-1860), who was the designer of the Semmering Railway from Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag. The stamp also commemorates the 160 years of the Kalte Rinne viaduct (that is part of the Semmering Railway)


the last card from Graz was in my favourites for a long while...i just love this night view, and its colours and the skies and everything!!

I dont know when this shot has been taken, but it looks kinda deserted though...still, wouldnt mind spending a few hours here, chilling out and relaxing...

here we have another stamp from the Ski World Championships set..

Vielen Dank Anita!!

Salzburg, Austria

Well, Easter was another good opportunity to get on the bus and head somewhere...not so far from our NY destination..

Prior to this, it was only Vienna that I've been to when it comes to Austria..and I was really looking forward to this trip coz, I dont know if I have told you but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Vienna..and Salzburg didn't impress me any less! Such a lovely charming town! It is nothing grand or so, around 150,000 people live here...but it is a town that captures you with its modesty...and that 'feeling in the air' that some places simply have!
Famous as Mozart's birthplace of course...and its awesome Mozartkugeln. I only bought a half kilo box...having in mind how exquisitely delicious they are, half a kilo is just nothing...but being it was our first day on the trip, I had to be a bit more reasonable about money :P
Unfortunately we only had one day to spend in Salzburg...so it is one of those times when you want to do everything in just a few hours...but at least I did go to the Mozart cafe and indulged into this delicious Mozart cake ....and left with one of the coolest souvenirs, this super cool umbrella :D

well I had the exact same view while writing the cards...such a cool way to enjoy the view all over Salzburg!
And speaking of cards...geez...I found this place which had some kind of discount, so I bought cards there...but when I asked for stamps, the lady didn't have any...and ok, no problem..Ill look for someplace else...just that all those someplaces else, sold stamps only if you bought postcards as well, and I was all %_(#+_$)#+_%($)...the post office was anything but near, and in general, it was a choice between going to the post office and going up the hill...reason prevailed and we went to the hill...there was a shop up there as well...and as we were about to leave, i was like, nah I have nothing to lose, let me ask...so I asked for stamps...and there was this kind lovely lady inside, who did give me stamps without having to buy postcards! I will be eternally thankful for that! Don't remember the name of the shop, but if anyone ever happens to go there, please give her my biggest thank yous! She saved me!

I wanted to buy some extra cards in the evening, coz I just bought and sent a few...but the evening decided to play against us...we were situated a bit away from Salzburg....and it was already like 9 pm when we wanted to leave, and had the last bus back to the hotel around 11...so it just wasn't really feasible, unless we wanted to only take a bus-round tour..plus it was pouring, so we spent the evening at the hotel lobby instead...and tasted some nice Austrian wine...at least thats what the waiter said, and whenever I go somewhere I ask for some domestic wines to try...

Im not gonna complain about the choice of stamps this time..this is all the lady had, and if it wasn;t for her, there would have been no Salzburg postcards...so for those of you who received Salzburg, say thanks to the lady as well :)
it is from a set of 3 Modern Architecture stamps issued in 2012

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And as with Lago di Garda, here are some Salzburg cards received...this one arrived as an official few months ago (after I visited Salzburg) and I was so happy to receive it coz it brought back memories :)
The card shows the Mirabell Gardens...something I didn't manage to visit...hmmmm, is this a good excuse to go back? :P

the stamp was issued this year and is called, Multiple Simplicity Artwork

And another blank card here...though I think this one came from a swap...however, I can't tell if it was 2009 or 2010...and Salzburg in winter is just soooooooooooo beautiful!! With everything covered in white! Ahhhhh! I would so much want to visit it again, for a few days, to have it all more relaxing...and have enough time to see places..and try new cakes and stuff :P

Turnersee, Austria

Dear Earney often sends me nice surprises when she travels around and this time was no exception :)

the card shows a lovely view of the Turner Lake under the Alps.
Originally the lake was called Sablatnigsee, but in the 20th century, after the Austrian “Turnerbund” had erected their youth camps near the lake, it was named Turnersee. It is the vestige of a large, after Ice Age lake that besides the Turnersee also included the Sablatnig Meadows.

such a lovely peaceful place..Im sure id enjoy a holiday here

the stamp was issued this year, under the name "Bavarian-Upper Austrian Provincial Exhibition".

thank you Earney!!!

Ybbstalbahn, Austria

this card arrived as a great surprise from dear Earney!

this is the Ybbstalbahn (or the Ybbs Valley Railway) which is narrow-gauge railway of the Austrian Federal Railways with a track gauge of 760 mm, located in the Lower Austrian Mostviertel.
The narrow gauge railway was built in 1898 by the Austrian Society for the local rails and has been operated since 1990 as a vintage train through the local railway operating company.
The one on the card operates from Kienberg through Gaming to Lunz am See.
Kienberg-Gaming is the starting point of the museum railway today and the original terminal of the Ybbs Valley Railway.

Earney was so kind that she also used a lovely train stamp too! the train stamp was issued in 2011 and commemorates both Karl Golsdorf's 150th Birthday and a Centenary of the 310 Class. The flower one is from the set of 5 flower stamps issued in 2007, with this one showing the Scotch Laburnum. Thanks a lot again Earney!

Semmeringbahn, Austria

next comes a lovely train card I received as an official earlier this year.

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It presents the Semmeringbahn, which is also a UNESCO whs. The Semmering Railway represents an outstanding technological solution to a major physical problem in the construction of early railways. The railway, built over 41 km of high mountains between 1848 and 1854, is one of the greatest feats of civil engineering from this pioneering phase of railway building. The high standard of the tunnels, viaducts and other works has ensured the continuous use of the line to the present day. Furthermore, with its construction, areas of great natural beauty became more easily accessible and as a result these were developed for residential and recreational use, creating a new form of cultural landscape.

well, you know pictures are better than words....so ill let you enjoy


i just wish the music was different...i find the one used here rather annoying...for me, doesnt really fit into the atmosphere...

the stamp is from the 2010 EUROPA series of Children's books.

Linz an der Donau, Austria

I got this card for the Autria vs world tag, and it shows the city of Linz...so rather different than the majority of Austrian cards I have in my collection (it is my own fault for the large quantity of Vienna cards)

the card shows the city square in Linz...which immediately reminds me of our city square and the construction works being done to it, but I wouldnt open that story right now....here, from left to right you can see the city hall, the old cathedral and the Holy Trinity pillar, which is 20m tall, marble carved in 1723 to commemorate the town's deliverance from war, fire and plague.

two stamps used on the card...the one on the left is one more common stamp, issued in 2007 in a set of 5 flower stamps, depicting Scotch Laburnum. The other stamp is a really great one, issued in 2009, representing Austrians in Hollywood, and here you can see Fred Zinnemann, an Austrian-American film director.  

Burg Rabenstein, Austria

This last card again comes as an official I received in 2010 (as if it was so long ago...)

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This is the Burg Rabenstein castle, which is said not to be well-known in the world and even within Austria itself. I guess thats why maybe there are not many information on the internet, at least not in English. But I came across some person's own experience of this place, so im conveying you his thoughts here...
"...Rabenstein is designated as an international cultural property by the Geneva Convention, and it is consequently protected from harm or use by military forces during times of war. In the 18th-19th century it was privately owned and used as a hotel, but today the small castle is owned by the Austrian Government in a specific capacity unknown. Apparently an official from the nearest town of Frohnleiten (a scant 3 kilometers away) presides over the castle and maintains its appearance. In summer the castle's courtyard is used by a local theatre group to present original dramas by Austrian playwrights.

Rabenstein is in immaculate condition, with magnificent lush flower-gardens and a fishpond in its courtyard, a freshly painted edifice, and a thick old-wood forest surrounding it on the steep hillside. And the Roman ruins, though crumbling and decrepit, still surround the rocky perch and stand majestically over the narrow valley...."

the above paragraph is courtesy of Jason Charles Buss, who I guess had quite a nice experience when visiting this castle.

and a nice birdy stamp (my cats would go frantic with so many birds, even if only on stamps :))
This one shows a Common Kingfisher and was issued in 2008 in a set of two stamps.

Austria

A very nice official card! Well, map cards are never bad cards :)

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Funny thing about the card...you will probably need to zoom-in to see it...but here, as Austria's neighbours you have JUGOSLAWIEN and TSCHECHOSLOWAKEI.....ok....this is really ridiculous..do this postcard publishers know since when both of these countries have stopped existing??? Beginning of the 90's....last century...thats almost 20 years! 

I dont believe that the card itself is that old coz it is of really good quality and in great condition and this map card is a rather popular one among map-card collectors so it's not like me having a unique vintage piece of it...but it would have been nice if someone could at least correct these non-existent places on Earth.... 

 

the stamp on the left was issued in 2007 as one of the 5 flower stamps (this one is the Scotch Laburnum)...while the other stamp is from 2008, representing Manner - a line of confectionery from the Austrian conglomerate, Josef Manner & Comp AG, founded in 1890, whose production among else, includes wafers, long-life confectionery, chocolate-based confectionery, sweets, cocoa and a variety of seasonal products.

Yumm yumm yummie! Here if im not mistaken, Neapolitan wafers are shown..something this company is most known for.
My dad is extremely fond of Neapolitan wafers from all types...i think he even prefers them to chocolate.

Vienna, Austria

A very special card that I received last year from dear Earney, showing the United Nations' Office in Vienna.

The UNOV was established on 1 January 1980 as the third United Nations Headquarters after New York and Geneva (and before Nairobi). It performs representation and liaison functions with permanent missions to the United Nations (Vienna), the host Government and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in Vienna.
The Director-General of UNOV is Mr. Antonio Maria Costa (Italy), who was appointed in May 2002. Mr. Costa also serves as the Executive Director of UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

and one extremely special mark for this card are the stamps themselves. as you can see, the left one is identical to the postcard and is actually an imprinted one, while the left one is also a special UN stamp, issued in 2008.
Vielen Dank Earney! <3

Tirol, Austria

A card which came as a surprise from Goran....who due to that probably, also didnt say a word he was going to Austria :)

And here are some fantastic snowy views...and when you look at them, you just immediately forget what a nuisance and hassle the snow can be, but you just wish it snowed right there, at an instant....well, instead of snow, i got LOADS of rain, which TOTALLY disrupted my plans for today....but it is not as if it is the first time happening either way.....
Tirol (or Tyrol, whichever you prefer) is a federal state of Austria and located in the Western part of the country between Italy and the Southern part of Germany. Its scenery is strongly influenced by Alpine mountains. The highest moutains of Tirol are the Ortler (3905 m), Königspitze (king's top) in Southern Tirol, the Grossglockner (3798 m) in Eastern Tirol and the Wildspitze (wild top) in den Ötztaler Alps in Northern Tirol.
Which of those are exactly shown on the card, I honestly have no idea

The stamp is from a set of 3, issued in 2007 and it shows a Christmas Rose.

Hvala ti Gorane još jednom :)

Stift Götweig, Austria

This lovely card came from dear Earney who often thinks of me and my mailbox and throws me such surprises! Thanks a lot Earney, for everything!

Göttweig Abbey situated on the Göttweig Mountain, is - because of its location - sometimes called the Austrian Montecassino. The Monastery sits on a hill 449 m above sea level in the Dunkelsteiner Forest south oft the city of Krems, on the eastern edge of the world-famous Danube Valley called the Wachau. Togehter with the Wachau, Göttweig was in 2001 placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Due to its premises and the enjoyable surroundings Göttweig Abbey has proved to be the perfect place for the European-Forum Wachau.
I was convinced this was a castle when I first looked at it....looks can literally trick you sometimes :)

I dont know if Earney put the stamp on the right on purpose or no, but she definitely made my day! An F1 related stamp!! Even if its Bernie....I totally love this stamp....especially since I dont have many F1 related ones. It was issued in 2009 in a set of 4 stamps representing Formula 1 legends. The other 3 stamps are dedicated to James Hunt, Gilles Villeneuve and Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips.
As for the stamp on the right, it comes from 2007 from a set of 5 stamps representing flowers.
Thanks again Earney..for the card and for the F1 stamp! I love it!!

Mozart Museum, Austria

Should be working actually instead of babbling here...thats a result of my never-ending procrastination...but then again, its Friday night....how can i feel in a working mood on Friday night?! (excuses excuses...) But if its a Friday night, shouldnt i just move my butt and go out? Yeah I should...but im too lazy to do that, and its too cold outside, and i just dont feel like it...as usual...

And here comes a great card...or at least i love it a lot....it shows the Mozart Museum in Mozart's Birth House and you can see the Hammerklavier made in about 1780....just to make it clear, Hammerklavier is the German word for 'piano'.
For some reason i love cards showing certain kind of people who have had their significance throughout the history....problem is, i cant make some exact distinction about what kind of people i like to see on my cards...but so far, ive been receiving really nice ones :)))

my first Mozart encounters was when i was very little actually...i had those small game-devices...i dont know whats the exact name in English, but there were all sorts of different ones, where you could play all sorts of sports or some platform games...of course, they were very simple ones, and you had those 'joystick buttons' to move through the screen...we are talking about devices you could hold in your hands, so no plugging in the tv or pc or so...anyways, on one of those, which was about playing basketball, there were two tunes while playing and one of them was from Mozart.....i think the other one was from Betthoven, not really sure...too bad i dont have those now, otherwise i would have checked...but there, thats when i started developing some sort of affection towards classical music...how the rest of my musical taste developed is another story, but i know my mum aint happy about it at all, and often said how what i listen to aint music....

and here is something for you to enjoy...feels quite appropriate for such cold nights...

the stamp is from 2007 from a set of 5, showing, flowers, of course :)

Gustav Mahler

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this card!!!!

This is Gustav Mahler...and Austrian composer and conductor (7 July 1860 – 18 May 1911). He was best known during his own lifetime as one of the leading orchestral and operatic conductors of the day. He has since come to be acknowledged as among the most important late Romantic/early Modernist composers, although his music was never completely accepted by the musical establishment of Vienna  while he was still alive. Mahler composed primarily symphonies and songs; however, his approach to genre often blurred the lines between orchestral Lied, symphony and symphonic poem. On this photo here, Gustav is 49 years old....
Unfortunately, im not familiar with Mahler's work, so i dont know what is it that i may recommend you....if YOU have something to suggest, im open for it...
well, i really liked this piece in particular, so i thought sharing it with you...and for some reason, i have a feeling i had heard it somewhere before...wasnt it on Tom and Jerry?

Mautern, Austria

Mautern is a small town, around 80km from Vienna, and from what I can grasp, a nice peaceful place to live in.

Well, ive figured that it says "Mautern on the Danube river" but that "Stift Göttweig" caught me off-guard...and i know I always say there are a lot of things i want to do, and im all anxious to do them, and eventually i end up doing nothing...but i really hope to revise my German and Spanish this summer and get them to some decent level...since i also want to pick up some Norwegian...and i know this is a high-stake, but Arabic as well...yeah, someone pinch me on the cheeks please...i really think im overestimating myself...but what can i do...i want to learn them all...
Anyway, ive learned that actually Stift Göttweig is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Austria, and if you take a good look at the card, im sure you'll see it....its right there, on the hill.
My aim to revise my German still stands though...

There are two really nice stamps on the card, both issued in 2007, both belong to the standard issue series and one of them is extremely happy and cheerful...its even called "Congratulations" :)
The other stamp belongs to the set of flowers, representing the Scotch Laburnum.

Damüls, Austria

Finally weekend! And Easter! And me actually having working assignments throughout it all! But i promised you i wasnt gonna complain anymore, so it would be fair to keep my word....at least this time :)

When i look at this card, it reminds me of how lovely it is outside as well....FINALLY i can feel spring at its fullest...ok, i admit, we had a few days of  "I-went-out-of-my-mind" weather, but it has got back to its senses, so it feels warm and sunny again...and i can go by bike wherever i need to without worrying if im gonna get soaked or cold or so....i sometimes wish it was spring all year long....i dread at the thought of coming of summer...well, the Macedonian one...its not something you would really enjoy if you were here...
Well, this card REMINDS me of the weather outside, but it doesnt actually SHOW the actual outside....this is Damüls in Austria, which is one of the many little villages in the mountains, which in winter turn into big and quite famous ski-resorts.
I got this from Jasmin, with whom i started writing letters just recently....the letter lover in me hasnt been awake like this for a long long while....why oh why did i let it fall asleep in the first place...when we were doing so fine with each other....