Arriving in Vienna

I had been travelling for a few days by the time we landed in Vienna, and when the captain announced our arrival, it felt surreal. The airport wasn’t the large international terminal I had been expecting, but something closer to a regional city airport. Quiet, manageable, and unexpectedly calm.

My host had arranged for her friend Michael to collect me, as she had already left for her holiday. I stood outside the arrival doors scanning the small crowd, looking for someone who might be looking for me. As people gradually filtered away, I walked back and forth a few times before finally approaching a man from behind and quietly saying, “Michael.” To my relief, he turned around.

He seemed just as happy to see me as I was to see him — he had been worried I might have been lost. Once outside, we headed to his car, where I instinctively tried to get into the driver’s side. It was funny then, and it would continue to be funny every time it happened after that.

For the next twenty minutes, I sat quietly in disbelief as we drove alongside the Danube River for most of the journey. It felt unreal. I was bubbling with excitement on the inside while trying very hard to appear normal.

When we arrived at my host’s home, I was introduced to two black cats, eight hens, a rooster, and a collection of tropical fish — all of whom I would be caring for while their owner was away. Standing there, it finally started to feel real.

When I think of Vienna, I think of the Danube, music, art, and grand palaces – but it’s the horses that have always been my favourite.