The quaint little village of Mayerling
Travel is almost never a perpetual highlight reel. There is a lot of mundane boredom, a lot of grueling effort in between the beautiful moments. Not that I can prove it in any way, but the word travel is said to come from the French word Travail, which simply means work. Every destination, an exhausting long train or plane ride, every architectural wonder, a long line. Every mountain panorama, a long sometime treacherous climb. A pristine beautiful beach, a welcome oasis away from the daily dreads.
The plan was to visit heart-adopted son Nikki and his family and loved ones in Vienna after the whirlwind of Jeeps4Peace to Ukraine. Three nights in Krakow had taken a little of the edge off, but a complete reset was intended for a couple of weeks at Nikki’s magnificent home about 40km south east of Vienna in the Mayerling suburb of Alland, Austria. We’re talking a community of 228 people, but once famous around the world!
We bought the train tickets from Krakow to the main station in Vienna, which was going to take about 6 hours. Since our experience in Berlin, many years ago now, we decided to purchase the tickets at Krakow’s train station, rather than online. The intention had been 2nd class for Euro 142 per person one way, but the lady inside the train station found a First Class special for $115 per person. Met some nice, intelligent people from Japan and the US in a first class compartment, which made the trip quicker and more enjoyable.
Nikki had not seen TJ in six years, so they both were real excited with the prospect. Nikki did not disappoint as he was already waiting for us on the platform our train rode in on. Quick walk to his car handoff and we were on the road to his house.
We decided to stretch out and sleep in separate rooms. We had not been sleeping all that great recently, probably as a result of the misery we witnessed in Ukraine and also because we had been taking melatonin gummies for a very long time as sleep helpers. It was time for a break from that habit. In other words, we were simply exhausted, needed a complete reset and a full size bed is not built for us to sleep comfortably. It was nice too because we could get up and not disturb the other one. The boys liked to stay up more than I did to watch movies and music videos in the movie room, and I was asleep sometimes before they even made it back upstairs.
Our morning view is the valley with mountains as the backdrop, along with two beautiful but strangely behaving horses, belonging to Nikki’s neighbor Gabrielle who also has a deer, a rooster, some chickens and a dozen or so cats in her tree covered yard. The cats roam free. Both horses are stallions, one is blonde like a horse meant for a princess and is named Romeo, the other one a shiny black like Black Beauty. Both are quite the assholes to each other and get yelled at quite often in German. Every day they do something different for our amusement.
Nikki is a “kid of his generation” with game toys, game chair race cars in several rooms, a game room with dozens of the most famous games in the world and every “toy” robot you can think of. One to cut the grass, one to vacuum the rooms, one to secure the house and garage, but most frightening is the tall male mannequin in the downstairs hallway that is dressed like a marine and outfitted with his military guns, knives etc. because in Austria, just like in Switzerland you take your military gear and weapons home with you after your service. Nikki works hard and besides his stressful managing job in an online company, he finds time to buy and renovate a condo in town as an investment and keeps improving his house in the hills.
Keeping attention on Ukraine
We ended up staying for almost three weeks for rest and recreation. I (TJ) felt there was more to do to bring awareness to Ukraines plight, so I (actually Niki did) purchased some rocks, paint and brushes and I painted them blue and yellow (Ukraines flag colors) then wrote “Jeeps For Peace” on front and the website on the back. My intention was to randomly place in areas as we travel to different countries. (Edit: I think I now have about two left.)
The next paragraphs are not in any sort of order, but just an array of how we enjoyed ourselves and kept so busy during the almost three weeks.
Niki spoiled us so much. We had the most delicious Shwarma (Döner/Kebab) at his fave restaurant. We had been there before, when it was still a hole in the wall, years ago. The owners had done so well that they had now developed a fountain square area with two buildings, one for food and one for dessert and coffees. It definitely did not disappoint.
A couple of days later we spent the day in Baden strolling around, enjoyed gelato ice cream from the famous Eis Peter shop, then later on ate an early dinner on the marketplace in the center of this lovely wellness town. Niki kept disappearing because he said he had something to do and that something to do was for Mother’s Day as I later found out.
Groceries and dining out, we found Austria to be one of the more expensive countries in Europe. I guess we never really paid that close attention before?
We had pizza at a local café/restaurant that still delivers home cooked meals as they did 50 years ago. We also enjoyed dinner at a recently opened restaurant in one of the neighboring villages. Very good, lovely owners, visited with them both for quite some time, discussing consistency in restaurants and why he did not want to put Wiener schnitzel on the menu (because every Tom, Dick and Harry has) and then headed back to the house to watch another movie on the huge wide screen in his movie room. Room is in total darkness, walls are soundproofed, surround sound and actual movie seats (but with footstools and blankets) to enjoy in comfort. Let me not forget to mention all the movie snacks he has stashed throughout the house. One will never go without sweets or snacks there.
Mother’s Day was probably one of the best I have had and I did not even have my kids with me. They all called or FaceTimed, had lots of laughs with them and just hearing their voices was such a gift.
Niki surprised me with a huge bouquet of my favorite flowers, which he also purchased one for his mom and his girlfriend in their fave flowers too. He gave them to us at different times, so we would each feel special and probably so he would not be bombarded by too many hugs at once. LOL
Nikki and Denisa
On Mother’s Day we finally were able to meet the love of his life “Denisa” and her two grown children also came along. Her daughter brought her fiancé too. Then his mom and dad showed up. We have always been like extended family and we adore them. I personally have known them for a little over 30 years. We reminisced about when Niki was younger and when my oldest daughter went to visit with them. We all ate too many sweets. Denisa had stopped off at Vienna’s most popular bakery (Sacher’s)and bought them out it appeared. She also gave me some gifts and that was so endearing of her. Han had met Denisa before when he traveled alone for seven weeks to Europe in 2023, but this was my first time and I was immediately drawn to her. I hope she and Niki are a forever union.
One of the days, Han, Niki and I went to the Westfield Shopping City Süd mall which until not too long ago was the largest mall in Europe. You will definitely get your steps in.
However, before the mall we had to stop off at TK Maxx, so I could purchase a carry-on suite case, since my old one’s handle had given up the fight at Krakow train station. That in itself was at least good timing, since I just could load the suitcase onto the train.
Niki had to shop for some clothes for a formal ball he was to attend and the upcoming wedding of Denisa’s daughter. We had eaten at this particular sushi restaurant Bento before, but I had forgotten how amazing it was. I don’t think Nikki will ever get his fill of sushi. Dunkin Donuts were also purchased to eat later. These donuts are not your typical American type. They are all kinds of delectable combinations and probably twice the caloric amount.
On another day we left Han home to play guitar and read while Denisa, Nikki and I went to the mall to literally shop until I dropped. Han was quite happy to stay home. Shopping is not his thing, unless it is a music store of course.
They had me trying on clothes and shoes because Niki was insistent that I get some cute clothes besides my chronic Adidas habit. LOL
Finally settled on some snazzy dressy heeled sandals, which were also quite comfortable and a shirt with a dog on the front wearing glasses and a scarf. Never in my life would I have chosen this shirt, but when I put it on, it made me laugh so hard and it was from the joy of it. So I said “yes, to the shirt”. It really is adorable. I purchased a pair of pants which were too long and of course Nikki had a solution for that. Immediately took me to the tailor shop to have them shortened and picked them up the next day. (When I say spoiled by him, I mean very spoiled.) He even paid extra to have the shoes sprayed for protection. He also does not accept no as a suggestion.
Of course we were all hungry so the Poke Bowl restaurant was calling our names.
Then obviously four huge pieces of dessert from another place, which we took home to share.
I was ready for bed by the time we got back home.
Another day we went into Vienna to a restaurant on the Donau to see Mia (Niki’s only child) before she moves to Singapore with her mom this summer. Niki is very sad about this, as I do understand. She is now 18 and watched her grow up into a lovely young woman. Sadly, we couldn’t visit long because as teenagers go, she had other things to do.
This really was a perfect time all together. Had the best of everything, especially the time spent with Niki. It was exactly what we needed.
I even rearranged and deep cleaned the kitchen cabinets and drawers. It was a bit therapeutic and honestly in need of the attention. Niki is a bachelor with an extremely busy, high level career.
I wish we could have stayed longer, but we are planning on going back for my birthday in October, so we can be looking forward to that.
We left a little early because Han’s oldest brother had to have heart surgery and his wife has her own health problems, so we offered our assistance, since it seemed we were the only family not super busy with other engagements.
Niki took us to the train station, we definitely were all a bit sad. Niki said it was going to be too quiet in the house. And he liked coming home to a home cooked meal. No worries, we will be back soon to invade your life. (Winkface). Contrary to previous visits where it could take years before we would see each other again, the fact that we have moved to Europe, make things easier. The discount airlines, the fabulous affordable railway systems and the trans-continental bus services make connecting with each other much more possible.
Han is going to write about our train trip. I mainly remember it was a very long trip, restaurants were mostly closed on the train, we had a train change in Munich that was thankfully well indicated and at certain times you could not even watch outside, as it was going so fast.
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