Aida.. Coffee House Icon in Vienna

A real icon in Vienna is the retro Aida. Its all pink and brown.. Including the retro uniforms of the waitresses with their cute little bobby socks and tiny caps. It was here that I had a 'typical' vienna coffee... And dummy me didn't realise it was a Vienna Coffee... Dohhhh.. Till I got it... 

The kids settled on a mozart cake... Hmmmmm. And of course I had to try the apple strudel.

Sylvia Petter at Shakespeare and Co in Vienna

Sylvia Petter and I have been speaking over skype almost daily at times.. For nearly 18 months about different writing projects.

It was a real thrill to become her publisher for her anthologies and even a bigger thrill to be at the official launch and readings from Mercury Blobs.

The bookstore is a readers dream. Piles of interesting tomes lay waiting to be discovered and loved. A huge crowd turned up to support and listen to Sylvia- the whole store was packed to standing room. I know how proud I felt, I can only imagine how Sylvia felt.

It was a real buzz too, to see New Sun Rising on sale at the bookstore.

OMG... Vienna and cakes..

I'd always been told about the pastries and cakes here.. And now can see why folk are so passionate about it. We visited one of the oldest.. And most prestigious bakeries ( gahhhh to call it a bakery is an absolute insult) the place was a masterpiece in beauty and class... And the sweet spicy aromas it emitted... Sigh...

The kitchen was open for visitors to watch them prepare the famous Sacha Torte and Apple Strudel. So yum...