A Satisfying Sunday Stroll

With another beautiful day, and not knowing how many more we will get this fall, I could not be kept inside! This morning I got my school work organized and prepared for my internship tomorrow, then around one I left the apartment to soak up some rays. 

I decided to walk to the center rather than taking the tram. It was warm enough that I didn't need a coat, and I was able to wander through some parks on the way. There were plenty of people out today that must have had the same idea I did. People were walking their dogs, children were playing in the parks, others just sat on blankets reading; there was an overall relaxed and cheery blanket over the city. 

My main goal was to visit the Vindobona Roman Ruins museum in the first district, which is a homework assignment for my Austrian art and architecture course (look at me being productive!). I was surprised to find that the museum is about the size of a small apartment. It is three levels, but the top level is more of an expanded loft, and the bottom is like a den/basement. The museum consists of explanations of the daily lives of the soldiers and civilians. There are a few hands on exhibits, where one can, for example, reassemble a pot or see what the clothing was like. There are also virtual tours of the soldiers barracks and explanations of the sewer and aqueduct system. Downstairs, however, is the main attraction. When Vienna was digging to install the subway line that runs under the first district, they discovered ruins from Vindobona. The town had been covered by the medieval city and now the modern city. The ruins of a captain's office have been built around to be included in the museum. 

I touched a wall that may have been touched by Marcus Aurelius - it's a hard thing to wrap by brain around.

When the Romans came up north, they were cold. So, they constructed a heating system wherein water would be heated by wood burning stoves, and the steam/hot air would be trapped in a cavity under the floor and between walls. So here is a picture of the floor:

I meandered back toward the apartment and enjoyed the park along the way. I decided to sit up against a tree for a while and watch people. I don't know how long it had been since I had sat on the earth!

I also stopped for some frozen yogurt!

It was a great day in the sun, and ended with more homework, practicing, and a nice Sunday supper. I hope all your Sundays treat you well.