Holidays, lockdown, the gig economy, the Viennese, Vienna

When “Baden gehen” “baden geht”

As lockdown eases Curmudgeon wonders what kind of a summer is ahead. Culture and the arts appear to have a difficult one ahead, as does tourism. Continue reading When “Baden gehen” “baden geht”

curmudgeoninthecottageMay 22, 2020May 23, 2020

autumn, Christmas, Cottageviertel, death, Nephewgate, the Viennese, Vienna, wine

Curmudgeon emerges from the Funk(stille)

The last few weeks of 2018 have not been plain sailing. There have been reheated family feuds, ongoing worries about the welfare of my nephew on the high seas, the loss of a dear friend, and personal anxiety over B****t. The end of year quiz was a remarkably subdued affair as a result. Continue reading Curmudgeon emerges from the Funk(stille)

curmudgeoninthecottageDecember 31, 2018December 23, 20191 Comment

Allerheiligen, Austrian life, Döbling, death, Feiertag, Friedhof, Hernals, Ottakring, public holidays, the Viennese, Vienna

Four Cemeteries and a Martinigansl

Death is a favourite topic among the Viennese. 1st November is renowned for being a day of mourning, tending of graves and family contemplation. Continue reading Four Cemeteries and a Martinigansl

curmudgeoninthecottageNovember 6, 20182 Comments

Austrian life, Cottageviertel, the Viennese

Tourism with a hermit of the expat scene.

As I remarked yesterday on a tweet after putting my visitors onto the train bound for the airport, it is always good to catch up with old friends. The best thing about such old friendships, where the passing of time does little to dim the memory, tarnish the friendship, or even better allows the friendship to be renewed as though no time had passed is that they also serve as a reminder to think about things have changed.

Always good to catch up with friends. An old friend, and my flatmate in the late 70s and early 80s, and his son, my godson, have been over for a few days. Hadn't seen them in four years and their first trip to Vienna. Think they were astounded by the day trip to Bratislava.

— Curmudgeon in the Cottage (@Cottage4tel) June 3, 2018

Continue reading “Tourism with a hermit of the expat scene.”

curmudgeoninthecottageJune 4, 2018June 4, 2018

lunch, small talk, the Viennese

Dressing up for lunch

Some friends had invited us over for lunch across town to be held this Sunday passed, and they said we’d be eight for lunch at theirs. Ever the precise Viennese, they had invited us well in advance – which is in distinct contrast to my attempts to invite friends over at about maximum 48 hours notice. Such an invitation comes with more gravitas. My impromptu … Continue reading Dressing up for lunch

curmudgeoninthecottageNovember 27, 20171 Comment