5 November

Turning Points in History


On the day we visited the Grand Audience Hall in Schonbruun Palace in Vienna, Barack Obama was elected as the first African American President of the USA.

What is the connection, you might ask? In the early 60s (?) a Summit Meeting between Kennedy and Khrushchev was held in that very room. Kennedy's presidency marked a turning point in US and world politics and it seems Obama's may well do the same.

The intricacies of international politics are nothing new to Vienna. The Congress of Europe was held here after The 30 Years War, to carve up Europe, thus setting new borders and imperial influences. Count Metternich dominated this process, re-defining political intrigue throughout this conference and the years that followed.

The political power and influence of Austria and the Hapsburgs, has long since faded, although, it should be noted that the last of the Hapsburg dynasty, Empress Zeta, only died in 1989. What remains though, are the magnificent buildings, culture and parks of Vienna that will continue to provide some sense of the grandeur of the Old Empire and 'Old Europe”.

Leaving Vienna today in bright sunshine and an unbelievable 24C, we travelled south into Hungary and what is now seen as 'New Europe'. Last time we were in Hungary (2000), horses and carts were common on country roads. Horse-drawn ploughs worked the fields and the 'Travant' was king. What a difference in eight short years! Good roads, no horse carts. Instead, supermarkets, shopping malls and all the trappings of a modern European state. The good news is, prices have still not adjusted up to Western European levels – or indeed to the sky-high Scandinavian price-pinnacle!

Our first stop today (5/11) was Sopron, a great town with a centre that has remained much as it was in the 17th century. Parking places, however, were obviously not important in that time, as we had a great deal of difficulty finding somewhere to slot our 5M van amongst Smart Cars and compact Skodas. The hunt for a spot was worthwhile though. Parking was cheap and safe and we were able to wander around a town centre that was peaceful and attractive on this extremely warm and sunny autumn day. To top it off, a sandwich on the town square was about a $!

Tonight we are free-camping in a motorway stop, parked outside McDonalds, with free wireless internet. You've gotta love the New Europe! We might even have a coffee at McD's tomorrow – Cheapest in Europe? We had planned to “do” Slovakia, but a check via the Web showed us that there were no campgrounds open, nor “Aire- de - Service” places available, so, reluctantly, Slovakia is no longer on our itinerary. Gotta love www!