WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15TH, 2022 – PERFORMANCE AT STEFANIENSAAL IN GRAZ, AUSTRIA:
No time to work out this morning before having to leave for Graz. Did take time for an amazing omelet at the hotel. Bus was supposed to be there at 9 AM but didn’t show up until 9:30 AM which was still fine. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Vienna to Graz.
I had forgotten how beautiful Graz truly is. I snapped off 10 or 20 photos just on the drive into town to our hotel. The hotel is located in an excellent spot only a few minutes walk to the city center. The hotel is beautiful. Lots of artwork and statues and the top floor is a swimming pool. The hotel had set out a lot of cheese and meat for the guests when we arrived. The restaurant is closed which is a bummer but at least there are lots of great restaurants in walking distance.
We dropped our bags and David and I walked down the street to an enormous grocery store. There was also a pharmacy across the street but I could not get what I needed without a prescription.
Rushed back to the hotel and met the guys to ride over to the venue for Soundcheck. Oh my God again! The venue is unbelievable. Huge statue of Beethoven in the lobby . If you’re reading this, go on my Facebook page and look at the photos. The lady who was taking care of the food in the green room has a friend who is a pharmacist. She went to the pharmacy and asked him to please sell me the cream I needed and he did. So relieved.
I got the name of the best Wiener schnitzel restaurant and apple strudel restaurant near the hotel. As soon as soundcheck is over that’s where I’m headed. Been limiting my calories all day so I can eat there tonight. So far I only had a really small omelet and an apple. I’m ready!
Jim and I walked down and found the restaurant and Rocky joined us later. I can honestly say, it was the best wiener schnitzel I have ever had. And the salad that came with it had Pumpkin Seed Dressing and again – the best I’ve ever had. The schnitzel was veal and very lightly breaded and so tender, I could cut it with my fork. I was sooooo happy. Bad news was, they didn’t have any apple strudel. But, we come back to Austria this Saturday for two more shows, so I still have another chance. The strudel in Germany just isn’t as good as in Austria.
Rushed back to the hotel to get changed for the performance. The Bellamys and I had to depart the hotel at 6:15 pm for a radio interview and VIP Meet and Greet with the press. We have a good friend named Mario who works for the Graz Radio Station. He has supported the Bellamy Brothers for 16 years and we try to see him when we’re in Switzerland, Austria or Germany. He has been promoting tonight’s concert for months at no charge and he is the reason the show is completely sold out on a Wednesday night! He brought a friend and did the interview with the Bellamys and took photos with them. Such a sweet man!
Then we went to the “Meet and Greet” which was also a cowboy hat toss contest. Took lots of photos with people wearing their cowboy hats and then had the contest. One guy actually threw the hat and got it on the “pin”. He won 3 bottles of really expensive, exclusive wine and the promoter also gave me the same gift! But, the coolest part – guess what as included in the catering? Apple Strudel! They brought a huge platter of it into the dressing room and I definitely ate a slice. Only thing missing was the vanilla cream on top.
The show started on time and boy was the audience enthusiastic! It was the best show of the tour. Pretty unusual to sell out a concert on a Wednesday night. Also, tomorrow is a “national holiday” – Juneteenth. I sneaked up to the balcony and got some great photos. I also decided to go on Facebook Live for the last 4 songs. I honestly have no idea how to do a “Facebook Live” but it seems to have worked. Had comments from people around the world! Of course, I had to get on my knees for all 4 songs and that was pretty painful.
Got back to the hotel to realize my WiFi doesn’t work in my room. I had problems with it the few minutes I was here this afternoon. I called the front desk 3 times and they reset it but it still doesn’t work. I finally hooked into my T-Mobile Hot Spot and am at least able to get a little work done. It’s slow, but functional.
Going to bed soon so I can get up and jog tomorrow morning! Looks like a great path down by the river across from the hotel. LOVE GRAZ!!!
Jude