The Train To Villach

We are on the train to Villach from Vienna, if we were to stay on this train it would take us to Venice. When you look out the window of looks like CA pine trees and vineyards everywhere you look!. The only difference is the churches, church towers, and castles in the distance. Sebastian is watching Popeye and munching on sausages. Getting him to any work that is learning related is near impossible. This should be better in Villach has we will be in education mode.

We are now rising out of the vally and can see some snow on the tops of the mountains through the heavy fog and clouds. Bellow is what looks like rich farm and dairy land. The houses are made of stone on the side of the tracks. Gradually we are rising through a series of bridges and tunnels. The view is outstanding!

I am trying to record the entire ride on video (I will edit and post when we return to the USA) I hope that something comes out, someday Sebastian may want to look back at what he missed while watching movies on the iPod!
He is however holding up well (with the aid of coffee) and is proving to be a great travel companion. That said he has little sense of direction or how to locate landmarks and following him around a new city will lead you in endless circles (witness the photos in Vienna).
The trains are all electric and extremely quite which is nice while wondering through the countryside.

Ok so now Sebastian is wining at progressive.The last game he got 1270 points, I got about 160 less!
The last day in Vienna we got me (papa) three shirts a tie and a nice blue-black blazer at a German mans shop. Sebastian says it looks good and he wanted one! Perhaps next time!

2 more hours to Villach. Lost by 100 points to Sebastian.

We continue to travel through a beautiful valley. The river is still on our left; gradually finding it's way to Venice. For now we are relaxed watching the idyllic forest and pastureland drifting by. Travel by train is so peaceful, well at least in Austria. This is so different then the crowded jostling train from Warsaw. That train was packed with workers traveling in search of an economy that would support them or people traveling back to big cities and industry from the surrounding land. The travelers on this ride are professionals and students most are in their late teens. All have iPods and cell phones. Some have laptops. Most of this traveling group looks like students in America, except the language and the serenely are changed.

Just passed over the river and are now keeping on the right. The valley is starting to stretch out in all directions. Yet, we hug to the mountainside.
This section of video does not show the beauty of the vally to our right. I should be able to capture this on the return trip to Vienna on Friday.

Just passed a small castle on the hill.
There are lots of small castles and old towers overlooking the valley.

Sebastian almost missed the biggest castle he was so busy watching Popeye (the kids now days).
We are now at Villach…