In which Diva is very Diva-ish

The morning excursion to the centre of Vienna provided a good overview of grand buildings with magnificent architecture. Budapest is grand but Vienna is even more so. Many of the buildings have been cleaned and restored but there are still many in scaffolding, including the Parliament buildings.  The representatives are meeting in temporary accommodation – just like the plans for Westminster.

The afternoon excursion to the market with the chef was less successful. The group of 19 passengers travelled on the metro into town and then walked to the busy market. The market itself was interesting – fresh produce and many nuts and spices. There was even a shop with (presumably) legal cannabis. There were three tasting sessions as they walked around – nibbles such as humous and olives, sauerkraut made traditionally by fermentation and then cheese and wine. All excellent. Well, maybe not the sauerkraut.

But Diva got very hot and tired and the metro was extremely crowded. When they left the metro, the guide ignored the sign that said ‘to the ships’ and headed towards what she called ‘the scenic route’. Diva was by now exhausted. So when a passing tourist, obviously lost, asked her ‘are you going to the ship?’, she replied ‘I have no idea’. Which is, of course, Diva code for ‘I know exactly what is going on and I do not like it’.  When she overheard the tourist telling her friend that ‘that woman over there does not know where she is going’, Diva joined in the conversation, objecting strongly to being described in such terms. As a result of this altercation, which lasted a few minutes, Diva missed the green light for crossing the road and the group had to wait for her. By now, she did not care whether they waited or not – she knew she could find the ship without help. The situation deteriorated when the guide said ‘did you not hear me say that you should cross quickly?’ Diva does not like anybody giving her orders. TSH knows this well and never tries to intervene in such circumstances. A very wise man indeed.

A good dinner – Szechuan-style tenderloin of beef.

The water is said to be 2 – 3 metres higher than normal. And some of the bridges are very low.