Here in Vienna the weather is constantly changing right now. One day itis quite beautiful, rainy the next day and the temperature also has significant swings. That should not be considered unusual however because there is a saying here in Austria that April weather is very unstable. Only recently there have been unusual weather patterns maybe due to climate change and it has not been as the common saying states. I should actually be happy that this April has typical weather patterns. When I cannot adapt to the changes, I want to listen to the Beatles song “Rain” in my head. “Rain, I don’t mind. Shine, the weather’s fine…”.
Seating benches at Museumsquartier have turned orange this season. 美術館エリア（MQ）のベンチが いつの間にかオレンジ色になってましたNew sign at construction site of Loquaiplatz depicting how the park will look once finished. I look forward to the completion. 工事中のロクヴァイ公園に新しく看板が立てられました。 改装後のイメージの絵を見ることができます。 完成が待ち遠しいです。
Yesterday in Vienna it was quite beautiful weather. Daytime maximum was just over 20 degrees Celsius and the sun was shining brightly. After a long time I went for a walk to Burggarten and it was already in full Spring season.
Bees coming to the open blossoms and working diligently. 開いた花の中で蜂が熱心に働いています。People relaxing. リラックスする人々Juicy young greens. 滴るような新緑A large tree provides cozy shade. 心地よい日陰は大きな木の賜物ですBeautiful flowers in a flowerbed. 花壇の美しい花
Pictures by Yuka Simeno, April 14th 2022 in Vienna
Now the Magnolias at Loquaiplatz are in full bloom. ロクヴァイ広場の木蓮が満開ですSign at one entrance to Loquaiplatz. ロクヴァイ公園の入り口の立て札
Yesterday I wrote that Loquaipark in the 6th district of Vienna is now being renewed. After writing yesterday’s post I read on the internet that not only is the park space being renewed but also the name might possibly be changed. As shown in the picture above, the square including the park is named after Ferdinand Loquai, who was the head of the 6th district. However because of his antisemitic past, there are people arguing that a public space in Vienna should not carry his name. Therefore right now this matter is being discussed and the name of this square might possibly changed or alternatively the name remains but with a sign clearly stating his antisemitic past.
Directly at Loquaiplatz there used to be a Synagogue. It is written on this commemorative plaque that the Synagogue was destroyed during “Reichskristallnacht” November 10th, 1938. ロクヴァイ広場のすぐ前の建物の側面。 ここには、かつてシナゴーグがあり、 1938年11月10日の「ライヒスクリスタルの夜」に 破壊されたと記されていますOn the opposite side of the building seen in the picture above, there is a streetlight. When it is dark, looking up from standing directly underneath, a star of David shines its light. 前の写真の建物の別の側面前に立つ街灯。 夜、真下から見上げると、 闇の中にダヴィデの星が輝きます。Walking around in Vienna, quite often one can find those small squares on the street. Each metal square features names and dates of their lives. They are Jewish victims of the Second World War. Those people used to live at the location of those metal squares and were deported. I always am mindful and for their honour take great care not to step on those squares. ウィーンの街を歩くと、 しばしば地面にこのような小さな四角い碑を見かけます。 それぞれの碑に名前と、 その方の生存していた期間が記されています。 この方々は、第二次世界大戦中、 それぞれの名前の刻まれている場所の付近に住んでいて、 強制連行され、命を落とされたユダヤ人です。 私はその方々の尊厳のため、 上を歩かないように気を付けています。
Pictures by Yuka Simeno, April 9th, 2022 in Vienna.
The park at Loquaiplatz in the 6th district in Vienna is now closed for renewal works. I heard that soon this space would be renewed and apparently now it has started. Very often I passed by when talking a walk and since I knew many bushes and trees, it is kind of sad to say goodbye to some of them. Buddhism teaches us that everything is in constant change. I should look forward to this park reopening in new splendor. In order to not let the loss of those disappeared plants to be in vain, we thank them and wish for it to become a beautful park.
Today’s weather was the opposite of yesterday, it was quite nice weather. The temperature was still a little cold but it is supposed to get warmer every day. The paused Spring can finally resume.
People walking somewhat bent over due to cold sleet. 冷たいみぞれに身を縮めて歩く人々
Even though cherries are blossoming here in Vienna it suddenly got colder. The sky is grey and yesterday afternoon there was sleet all of a sudden. Due to unexpected bad weather some people did not carry an umbrella and bent over a little walking in a hurry on the street. I presume plants were taken by surprise too. Hopefully nice weather will come back soon.
Mariahilferstrasse Vienna is a well-known shopping street. Even though it was a Saturday afternoon not many people were around because of cold sleet. 買い物で有名なウィーンのマリアヒルフ通り。 土曜の午後というのに、突然のみぞれに、 人通りが少ないです。
Pictures by Yuka Simeno, April 2nd, 2022 in Vienna.
Cherry blossoms (Japanese country symbol blossom) already in full bloom. 桜は綺麗に咲いたけれど
Today I wanted to send a letter to Japan from a post office in Vienna. Surprisingly the clerk told me they could not accept it. She did not know the specific reason but assumed it may be due to Covid or the crisis in Ukraine. I also heard that the resumption of this service was unknown as of now. I feel again that my home country Japan is so very distant now. I have a feeling that good weather and beautiful blossoms console me…
Fresh green is so beautiful. 新緑が美しいAlways the golden colour of Forsythia draws my attention. いつもレンギョウの黄色に目が奪われますCherry blossoms blending into everyday life in Vienna. ウイーンの日常に溶け込む桜
Entrance to IKEA direct from Westbahnhof concourse. ウイーン西駅コンコースのIKEAの入口
“This table I bought from IKEA”. That is what a Japanese resident, in the same building I was living at, said when she showed my a beautiful round table. It was my first apartment in Vienna and it was over 30 years ago. Back then I was totally new here without any knowledge and I thought that there was a Japanese furniture shop in Vienna called “Ike-ya”. And I thought how wonderful Japanese people are also selling furniture in Vienna. Soon however I discovered that it was in fact called “IKEA” and that it was a Swedish chain of stores. This name could really be Japanese and so I misunderstood.
Back then about once a year, a thick catalogue of IKEA was sent free to all households in Vienna. One day that catalogue appeared at the door just like a present. What joy it was to browse through that catalogue in full colour! I moved four times within Vienna but always to fully furnitured places. Therefore buying furniture was not necessary but nevertheless with pleasure I always looked at the catalogue and fantasized. Also “IKEA” was somewhat far away from the city and without my own car, I had to use the shuttle bus for about 30 minutes. So when I finally arrived I could see beautiful interiors and imagine living there and as souvenirs I took home small things such as candles, napkins, artificial plants, etc.
Time passes, online commerce has become so widespread, that nowadays most catalogues and sortiments can be viewed on the internet. Therefore that present from IKEA to me ceased to exist. But recently IKEA gave me a big present of a different kind. In a central location of Vienna a branch of IKEA opened its doors! It is next to Westbahnhof station and there is even one direct access from the station concourse. The size and capacity of this store is smaller but one can stroll around inside and see many different types of merchandise. Above all, there are many small affordable items such as candles, napkins, etc. IKEA is now close to me.
Now in Vienna the air of Spring hovers overy the city. They sky is blue and the sun is shining in splendor. Some plants cannot help but grow already. In some flower beds the remains from the past growth cycle were cut down in order to prepare them for the approaching blossoming. Let’s grow!
At a supermarket in Vienna I found a beer refrigerator with giant beer cans inside displaying Falco’s face! Falco is a world-famous Austrian pop musician. I think his most famous song is “Rock me Amadeus”. Sadly he suddenly passed away in 1998. Back then in Austria there was deep mourning and I understood how much he was loved by the people here and how proud Austrians were of him. A Vienna native, his face decorates the cans of the well-known Viennese beer brand Ottakringer.
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