Day 82 - Unlisted Holiday

Last night we debated wheter or not to go to bed at all. Reason: Today we had to be up at three in order catch the shuttle to airport for our 7:45 flight to Vienna. We have learned to pack our water filters where they are accessible. Apparently they look like very suspicious large batteries in the x-ray machine. Thank goodness we kept the all instructions and original pamphlets with them, as even visual inspection by the officials and our explanations are often not enough. At nearly every security checkpoint they are taken out and examined, and the accompanying papers read from cover to cover.

All went smoothly until we were on the plane. Whereupon we sat in the plane, at the gate for almost 45 minutes. Then we rolled a little way onto the tarmac. And waited some more. A kid a few rows up from us cried so hysterically that he made himself vomit. This was not an auspicious beginning. It was urgent that we arrive in Vienna on time because the Indian Embassy only take visa applications from 9:30-11:30 AM. We were scheduled to arrive there at 8:55. Allowing an hour for customs and travel from the airport, we had planned to be at the emabassy by 9:55.

At 8:45 I looked at my watch and told Cz that if we left this instant we might still have a chance. Five minutes later we were airborne. The flight was uneventful, and we arrived in Vienna at 9:55. There was a man checking passports as we deplaned. Anyone with a red passport (Turkish) had it opened and checked. We ony had to flash our blue passport to be waved through to the terminal. Unfair I know, but under the circumstances I was grateful. We breezed through the real passport control desks and customs without a hitch. At the terminal entrance, someone was handing out city maps. There were huge, well-marked signs for the express train to the city center. We ran to the train, hopped on, and found the address of the Indian Embassy. We were there with 15 minutes to spare!

It was CLOSED.

For a holiday. For a holiday that the man I had asked on the phone if it would be open didn't know about. We made it with much rushing and with time to spare and it was closed. After the requisite snarling, we headed off to find our hostel.

After a little searching, which happened to take us past St Stephens Dom, we found our way home. It was a very cute place in a converted apartment, convienient to everything. We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on the blog, contacting friends around the city, and mailing a gift and postcards back to the states. By the time that ws finished, we stopped at the grocery and picked up some groceries.

Little did we know the kitchen only had a microwave. We persevered, and managed to produce a perfectly repectable dinner of pasta and salad. Just in case you were wondering. Here is how to cook spagetti in a microwave.

With the Microwave on high
1. Bring the desired amount of water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta
3. Cook. It will take a total of about 15 minutes after you add the pasta. Stir every 5 minutes or so for even cooking and to prevent baking your pasta to the sides of said bowl.
4. Drain. Add sauce as desired.

We are masters of improvisation here. Tomorrow we have another go at the embassy. Wish us luck!