Due to rising numbers of Covid-19 infections, Austria has again implemented a full lockdown. The pictures above were taken in Vienna. Today was Tuesday and even though it was about 16:30 PM there were not many people out on the street. Food places radiated light but inside there were no customers. Only take out is allowed at this time.
Christmas tree on the street in the 7th district of Vienna ウイーン7区の街角のクリスマスツリー
Austria is officially a Catholic country and therefore Christmas is very important. The sun sets quite early and the days are quite dark now. Beautiful Christmas illuminations soothe our souls.
One entrance to the Christmas market at Spittelberg in Vienna ウイーン市、シュピッテルベルクにおける クリスマス市の入り口のひとつ
Last year due to Covid there were no Christmas markets in Vienna and now finally some have opened again! I visited the one at Spittelberg in the 7th district. Many shops were showing their colourful goods sparkling into the darkness. How nice to see that again! It was really busy and it was even difficult to move forward in the crowd. I was quite astonished however that many visitors were not wearing masks. Even this past Spring it was compulsory to wear masks in some empty park areas. Of course by now many people have been vaccinated but nevertheless I hear that people get infected. Even the Netherlands with a high percentage of vaccinations have recently reimposed a lockdown for all. I got a little fearful, could not calmly look at shops and quickly returned home.
Stephansdom, the heart of the city of Vienna ウイーン市の心臓シュテファン寺院
In the top tight area of the picture you can see the illuminated art installation at Stephansdom. It is called “Himmelsleiter” (Ladder to Heaven). Since the sun is setting much earlier each day, this installation is now more clearly visible. This installation has been conceived with a religious meaning in mind. Christmas time will begin soon and I find it to be quite suitable.
Today is the 31st of October. The last day of October and this year it is a Sunday. Last night Summer time ended and like having lost one hour, all the clocks must be set back one hour. Even though it is only one hour difference, every year it feels a bit unusual and like jetlag.
Tomorrow, November 1st, is a public holiday in Austria and that means it is an extended weekend. That is why yesterday before the shops closed at 6 PM I went to buy some groceries. It was already getting dark, how fast the sun sets! This year, also because of Coronavirus, outside seating is permitted even during Winter. Since it has gotten cooler, many places use infrared lamps for the seats outside. Seeing the red light in the dusk and people sitting outside, it somehow reminded me of a city in Italy. Also some ice cream shops change into a clothing shop during the Winter and I have already seen that transformation. Maybe like myself many people wanted to do some shopping and there were many people out and about. It was already somewhat cool but because of lively atmosphere my heart felt like being warmed by those infrared lamps as well.
Vienna’s famous shopping street Mariahilferstrasse 買い物で有名なウイーンのマリアヒルフ通りActually an Italian ice cream shop but during wintertime clothes are sold here. イタリアアイスのお店が冬着の店に変身
Pictures by Yuka Simeno, October 30th 2021 in Vienna
Here in Vienna there is continuously stable Autumn weather now. Thick and warm coats are not yet necessary but one should nevertheless dress according to the season. Leaves are falling and ivy becomes ever more red. My favourite pasttime of collecting fallen chestnuts has come to an end. Under chestnut trees I cannot find any more fallen ones. Autumn in Vienna is progressing in a tranquil and tender fashion… ここウイーンでは、安定した秋らしいお天気が続いています。厚いコートはまだ必要ありませんが、充分暖かく着込んで出掛けなければいけません。木々は葉を次々に落とし、蔦は紅く染まっていきます。私の大好きなカスタニエの実を拾うことも、もう終わりです。カスタニエの木の下に一つたりとも実を見つけることができません。ウイーンの秋は静かに、しかし確かに深まりつつあります。
Ivy becoming red. 紅く染まりつつある蔦Burggarten. 王宮庭園Instead of chestnuts I can now collect pinecones. カスタニエの代わりに松ぼっくりが拾えますFlower bed in Autumn colours in the city. 秋色の街の花壇
Clean again. 綺麗になりましたPicture taken before the cleaning. 綺麗にする前の写真
“Let’s walk to “Joe sama”. Often when going for a walk in the city of Vienna we say those words. “Joe sama” means the statue of Josef Haydn in front of Mariahilfer church. Since his first name is “Josef” we call him “Joe sama” with sympathy and respect.
Some time ago there was a scaffolding around this statue and it looked like there was a professional cleaning to be done. And finally the scaffolding is gone and we can meet “Joe sama” again! How white and beautiful he has become! His face looks fresh too and we are very happy.
By the way, he used to be very popular with doves. Always one or two used to sit on his hand, shoulder or head. Strangely, we now see no doves sitting on fresh “Joe sama”. Is that doves showing respect for the cleaning job? Is his beauty so radiant that doves dare not approach him? I am sorry but I cannot imagine doves being so intelligent. Maybe some dove repellant was applied?
From this angle the pen in his right hand is clearly visible. Until now the pen was not as obvious, maybe because of the dirt. 手に持ったペンもよく見えます。 これまでは汚れていたせいか確認が困難でした。
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