See those warm smiles? Those were how prominency greeted us, some of Vienna's residents who took part in the So schoen ist Wien Fotowettbewerb (loosely translated as 'So beautiful is Vienna photo contest'/Vienna is so beautiful photo contest). I am not aware of the contest until the final week that it was running. I almost forgot to join but managed to somehow send a handful of entries but they were not necessarily the best in my collection. During deadline, I lined up the photos that I'd be submitting, alas! I fell asleep and woke up 5 minutes before 12 midnight...so I left it at that, with the idea that nothing from my photos would be selected.

Couple of weeks later, I received an email that somehow one, yes, a lone photo of mine was included for the 1000 selection to be included in a photo book and displayed on billboards in different parts of the city. I was also sent an invitation to attend this event, as a thank you from Vienna's Mayor Dr. Michael Häupl (pronounced hoypell) and Austrian President Heinz Fischer. It, I think, was a good campaign strategy for the latter's candidacy too. The elections will be held on April 25 with only 3 candidates vying for the seat. Fischer is seeking to win his second term (6 years).

President Fischer and wife, first lady Margit, were as how they look, warm and accommodating. Would you believe that there were no bodyguards around? (Well, none that I saw.) Surely very different from how politicians in the Philippines were (only talking about those I met while covering certain news events).

Anyway, I was able to get some good angles being the smallest in the swarm of photographers around. lol. They don't mind me being in front because I don't block their lenses. :D Should you want to see more photos click the companion blog page. CDP (city daily photo) blogs are supposed to be one a day and I normally post two but today, just for today I'm posting 3.

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