I am alive and well here in Vienna, home of the Wiener. Arrived almost without a hitch. It turns out that when Mike made our hotel arrangements long long ago, it was for the original dates of travel which eventually got pushed forward a day. He didn't reconfirm the dates with the hotel, so when he showed up this morning (three hours before me), it turned out they had given our rooms away. They still had one room, which they gave to him... yeah.

Anyway, the embassy scrambled and found me another reservation and left a message for me at the original hotel, so it wasn't really any extra hassle for me other than having to walk my suitcase 5 blocks through the old city. And I guess the whole city's hotel system is booked, because they put me in this short-term apartment thing. I have a full kitchen suite with a dishwasher and everything. So this is a good thing.

Nina arrives tomorrow; getting her the info on the new location was a challenge, since she left for the airport just after I arrived here. Just barely made the connection, though, so everything should be good.

In other news, the small Alitalia puddle jumper planes all have names, and today I flew the Enrico Fermi from Milan to Vienna. By the way, this flight, taken early in the morning on a clear winter day, is probably one of the most beautiful experiences available to mankind. You skirt the southern edge of the Alps and the low-angle sun catches every ridge, snow contour, etc. in high contrast lighting. The Alps are so incredibly rugged and enormous compared to the Colorado Rockies. They just go on forever!

And I got to see Monte Bianco (or, as they say in Caracas, Mont Blanc), highpoint of the Alps, as well as the Matterhorn at close range from the air. Thems is some fine-lookin' rock. Especially the Matterhorn. I mean, come on. Look at this thing. Wow.

Anyway, trip went well and I'm here. I'm off to meet Mike for dinner. And possibly Kinderpunsch.

Oh, and I have internet in my room, so you'll get to hear me jabber on.