McCartney Times

Dancer Against Cancer

Dancer Against Cancer
From Martin’s Road Log:

Vienna
KLM Lax to Amsterdam.
Back on the road. This time KLM to Amsterdam, a nice big jumbo 747-400 stretch that’ll do me.
It’s was late departing but the flight is only 9 1/2 hours, so nothing too bad and they can make up time whilst n the road. Not like last time going to Istanbul for 13 hours on a stretch.
Business class is nice and roomy and one feels special, privileged maybe 20 people all told in a nice little cubicles with lay down flat seats.
The food, well let’s just say Turkish was the best on that one.
I really don’t care as long as it get me to where I am going on time.
The problem with Vienna is, there are direct flights you got to through either Germany, England or France or Holland for that matter to get there from Los Angeles.
More notes later, the drinks are being served.
Got to love Business class.

Got a little nap in just before Greenland and then a little shaking started but not too bad, considering. Over all nice experience with KLM I will fly them again.
30 minutes to landing thank god.

Landed safely in Amsterdam now we have a 3 hour layover which in itself is a blessing and curse at the same time. Can’t really sleep and not really awake yet but the good news is there is a smoking lounge inside the KLM building. It’s pretty nice I have to say and flying business class sure makes a difference. I would be dead sitting in coach all night and judging by the looks of people coming off our flight they were crammed back in tourist and have not seen the daylight in 10 hours. Other than that smooth flight and that is what counts.

vienna1Hotel Fleming’s
Fashioned after Ian Fleming’s James Bond, this is a little gem right in the heart of downtown Vienna. We were invited guests and greeted in the late evening of April 7th around 9:30 PM local time. We took photos with the hotel manager and some of the event staff. We crashed the bar as usual and made friends with the Tunesian bar keeper named Mustafa. After he heard the name McCartney the last round of drinks was on the house.
The following morning after a 5 hour sleep/nap we stumbled down to the overwhelming breakfast area. What a spread! One could exist on breakfast alone in this town.
After about 18 coffees I explored the Sauna and workout facilities, very nice indeed.
Now we got to hold out until lunch time to meet with Matthias for the dancer against cancer event. The good news is we have no fixed schedule and we can take our time.

Wednesday
Dancer against Cancer
So, this is why we flew to Vienna in the first place.
It was my first attempt at a Waltz with dance instructor Yvonne Rueff. I have video to prove that I did it. It was easier than I thought it would be, the key is not to look at the feet but feel the motion and don’t think too much and just do it. And, of course it’s at the hofburg so no pressure on me! Matthias is a very nice guy and it will be fun for us all on Saturday.
Got to get a sweat in and a workout tomorrow and Friday.

Friday
Great press reception at K47 this morning. Overlooking Vienna from the venue. Lots of press, dancers and cancer victims there.
Ruth gave a touching speech about the Linda McCartney Breast cancer centre in Liverpool and Angie gave a great little warm welcome too. (See videos).
Downloading videos and photos now. Jet lagged out of the arse but keep on trucking and sleep in tomorrow and get ready for the big night.
Sunday we plan on taking a horse carriage ride through Vienna for an hour or so.

vienna2

Saturday
The Fruehlingsball at the Vienna Hofburg
Around 2500 people gathered to sponsor the Dancer against Cancer event at the hofburg.
It was a spectacular event. Yes, I really did the opening waltz with Yvonne Rueff owner of the dance school where I had just a tiny bit of training three days before the event. (See Facebook video). The ball started around 6;30 and went on to 3:00 am the following morning. Ruth, Angie and I were the stars of the event for sure. We all danced at the same time and were joined by 100 couples on the floor. Considering that Mozart probably performed and being German by origin, it was a very big deal for me. More she I get my head straight.
Sending an email with these notes now, so I don’t forget in case my iPad gets lost.
Wow, what a trip Vienna was, never thought I was going to waltz in The city of romance.