Vienna, the walk around

Vienna, a city that never stopped surprising me. From its history, folklore and museums; the little markets along the canal; their people... this is a city that everyone should breathe.

So it all started on the 28th of December. I was already settled at Cat's house and, between the folk brakes (barely nonexistent), but more after the folky marathon, a city was waiting to be visited.

From the lust of the Palaces that now hold some of the most famous Austrian artists, such as Gustav Klimt; the surreal world of Magritte; to be lost in awe on the streets of the 18th century, once four-occupied city, I went around and around, seeing as much as the time allowed me, considering that the main purpose was the folk marathon, that took almost two thirds of the time I had reserved to be there. I want to focus a section only to the folk marathon, so let's not loose track of things.

One of the highlights in Vienna had nothing to do with the city, nor arts, but it's gastronomy. I was proposed by Manu to see how a proper Apple Strudel is made. We made a shop list and thus walked to the market, to get local apples, to get that Viennese strudel like flavour to it. Even though there are no pictures of it, and no recipe - yet -, I can tell you it was a very funny experience!

  

Moreover, only the ancient architecture, the german-like influenced structure and soviet palette give the city a very blend, yet unique style. We pass by history and in some parts of Viena, this feeling is very sharp and present.

From ancient churches, cathedrals, palaces, it's music, food, their people, the markets, gardens, views, smells... a world of things to see, do and fell that will for sure let one be astonished by it's magnificent humbleness.

A city that will keep impress many, for as many time time allows it.

PS:. Coming up next, the folk in Vienna :D

Vienna, not there yet

Last December, I hit the road to Vienna.

Why? Very simple. During Skint, Cat Dowle, one of the organizers of  the event, invited us all to join her and her two friends (organizers) on a folk marathon in Vienna, for 6 days non-stop. By the time of Skint, being the first folk gathering, one could say, in England (I had never been that north in England before as well) I was damn excited! Plus, when the sound of being to Vienna for new year's eve reached my ears, I almost cried in happiness! hehe

From that moment on, I set myself to find the cheapest way to travel to Vienna and, almost one week before going there; my mum and my brother were supposed to join me but she delayed and put so much issues on the time flight, where to sleep (it was already settled), apart from having said at one point that she couldn't afford to go, that I ended up buying it on my own, although all her points where valid and it's understandable that she wasn't sure about everything on this trip, thus making all this fuss.

I bought the tickets, not from Porto (flew there for Christmas) to Vienna, rather to Memmingen, in Germany. The reason? Saving money, of course! And I don't regret a thing about that. Got on the flight one day before the beginning of the marathon; it was already night time when I left the smallest airport I've ever been (it's smaller that a big Sainsbury's :D). However, things didn't quite work out the way I had in mind. I thought, before arriving there that I would spend my night in the airport, the same way I usually stay in Stansted Airport, and when the time comes, get on the train to Vienna. Despite doing that, I soon discovered that the airport shuts its doors at 9.30 p.m, which made me go straight to the station, praying to have a cosy place to  be and wait. Rather, it was a small, open Rail station. Damn! What can I do now?

Not wanting to stay 7 hours on the windy cold, void night, I bought a ticket for a train leaving earlier, with the downside or not of having to change trains 3 times. Because I was in an open space, I had nothing to loose by getting on this train and see how the next station is. And thus I hop in, with a portuguese girl who flew on the same plane as I did. And how small the world is... during the journey to Munchen, I found out that she is friends of people that studied on the same school as me! When the train warned us of the arrival at Munchen, I farewell'd her and saw how open air this station was as well...

Without nothing else to do but wait for the train (still 5 hours) I sat on the bench, took out my sleeping bag and started reading my book. In a matter of a couple of chapters, the weather changed from clear to foggy. It was surreal how focused I was on my reading that didn't let me realize of this change until I stopped for a second, to rest my eyes and see if there was anyone around me. Not much after this, a woman left a parked train, a couple of steps away from me and headed towards me, in the middle of the mist. When realized of this, I started to wonder how could we communicate, as I don't speak or understand german at all! It was indeed a shot taken from a movie scene, for sure.

As she came closer and closer, I started to notice with more detail how and/or who she was: an average middle age chinese woman, with a mop on one hand; a bucket on the other. She stopped, looked to me and talked. Ashamed of not knowing german, I asked if she knew how to speak german. Know she looked to me in a "what are you saying?" way and solved this communication issue with sign language. She pointed to the train, pointed to me, and put both her hands together next to her face and leaned her head. My eyes sparkled, with the vision of a chinese german angel, who just had given permission to sleep, or rather spend the next hours inside a train, protected from the cold of the night!

 How funny can this be, just existing in the void, surrounded my the mist, in a country you've never been, with a native language you don't understand and still, stumble upon such as amazing scene as this.

Eu, todo cego, no comboio em Munchen

A cosy, warm - the heating was on - and empty train to anyone but me for 5 hours. What an experience! What better way to start a journey!?

:D

Within the concept of "Reality" I stumble upon the idea of creating an impressionist project talking about dreams. Not by what they meant, rather what they could be or perceive. Thus, a project that does not want to give an answer about the subject matter, rather give an impression of what it could be.

On the day when just about every photographer over 30 pauses to consider Kodak's filing for bankruptcy, a poignant video. The once-dominant company obviously knew it was already in trouble at this point, but still came out swinging in a refreshing appeal to the future.

Considering this was made in 2006 (and how quickly things have happened since) the video was pretty darn prescient. In the end, all of these things did happen. Just without the need for Kodak.

"What we perceive are no more than isolated lights in the abyss of ignorance, 

in the shadow-filled edifice of the world."

Last Sunday me and Anna went Twickenham, where we had the pleasure of listening and talk with one of the best american-folk players ever: Bruce Moslky!

However, knowing that this area is known for having deer, we thought it could be a good think to do, before  going to our gig, pass through one of the many huge parks in the surrounding and try our luck. No deer we found but an incredibly surreal experience, that's for sure! As we walked into the parks, the fog became thicker and, at some point, no matter how much we tried to look through the deep foggy dew, no sign of life, apart from the impressionist drafts of trees; grey and blue was all we could see.

Once we manage to get out of that dreamlike place - still don't know why I wanted to stay there - we carry on for about a mile and tadaaaaaa! Bruce Molsky in front of you, with you, playing for you, for us, for the whole world! This was the last Molky's gig in the UK, after 3 months of ups and downs through the land. He said it was an amazing journey although he wanted to go home know :)

A waltz/mazurka during the gig sure add something to the gig(I can still recall a man's expression when the music ended and we stopped dancing: "woooooooooow" face), one that I'll sure remember!

Mushrooms, mushrooms all around

This was probably one of the most joyful moments I've had in many months, since I've arrived London. Many people attended the festival still, small enough to feel like at home. Dance, music, laugh, smiles and happiness make this a worth going festival, in a small village in Peak District.
If you don't believe what I am writing, let the pictures speak for themselves.

 mushrooms, mushrooms, mushrooms all around!

Thank you so much for everything!

You're amazing

:)