Doni, citizen of Kosovo on a business practicum in Vienna, put the happiest hard sell on us I've experienced in a long time. How could we not be dying to attend a famous Wien-Konzert with music of Mozart in the same hall where he played his first concert at age 6!?! An orchestra in period costumes, full ballet, music by Johann Strauss, and a special ticket discount only for us -- surely those temptations would part us from 39 euros!!!

Could his playful humor have been influenced by StephansPlatz, dedicated to one of christianity's bazillion martyrs -- too many to recall: was this one flayed, burnt at the stake, heart ripped out - who knows?!?

Smiling to the end, even as we left him on the square on our entry to St. Stephens Cathedral, Doni assured us he'd wait for our return — unless it started to rain — or we could find alternate exit from the dom - thanks to our cathedral tourguide :-)

"not an official exit, but you may follow me out the side door."