Playing Tourist Part 1

Here is the beginning of my touristy experiences!

This is the view down the street I visited often for grocery shopping, seeing the two friendly and patient men at the bank, and where my bus stop was to get to the Ubahn (subway).

This mannequin just cracked me up! I had to take a picture!!

OH how I love the smell of bakeries!!! Being able to walk to a bakery and get soft, fresh bread is just wonderful!

Random mosaic on a wall of apartment building.

This is the church I went to in the 13th District. I met a nice family from there and I often drank coffee with them and ate little pastries after Mass. The dad is from Austria, but the mom is from Colombia and she only spoke German and Spanish. So, I got to practice my Spanish with her and the children =) haha, I definitely need some practice!

Cheap grocery store with good brands. I prefer the lactose-free milk from this store over Spar, the other convenient store.

So, I was walking around one day and wanted to find the Rathaus, the city hall. I followed the map, kept looking around but just seemed to miss it. Well, I found this and took pictures instead. I later learned this is the back of the Rathaus...
This is Museum Quarter. Where contemporary art museums reside. During the summer months, or maybe all year, I'm not sure, they have the pink chairs for people to lounge in and enjoy the weather and atmosphere of this chic attraction.

August--Month of ups and downs

Sorry I haven't updated this in a long time--Edward, you've been extremely patient with me! Thank you =)

Well, let me explain the end of July quickly:
Got back after crazy train problems in Germany. Spent the night on the train but didn't really sleep well since the storm kept my train delayed and I missed my connection into Vienna. I had to take another train that I had to pay extra for--not a fan of that! I arrived around 9am in Vienna and then got back, showered, and resumed my duties.
The kids went off to grandma's house and I was left to myself to work around the house and explore Vienna some. Went to the nearest bank--where cute guy works--and had my remaining US dollars exchanged into euros. He pitied me when my $110 became 80 euros. haha Oh well, that's part of being an American.
I spent my birthday with the girls. We had a picnic in the park, read for a good hour out of our books, then traveled on to the cinema to see Karate Kid in German. I left them to go see my friends for the night. We met in front of the Rathaus (city hall) and ate and drank and laughed and I was very happy on my birthday! During the summers, the Rathaus puts on a film festival which is an event that shows recordings of operas or concerts on this huge screen. So, on my birthday they were playing Handel's Messiah. Just as we were leaving they were playing the "Hallelujah" part and that completed my birthday =)
Then on to August:
The girls and I took a trip down to see their extended family in Styria. I have to admit, that part of Austria was just beautiful for so many reasons. The people were much friendlier, the landscape was gorgeous with mountains, and it had a more relaxed feeling about it. Needless to say, I didn't want to return to Vienna, but had to.
Before school started, we organized the cellar where the kids' stuff is and we went and bought new school clothes. I'm very happy to say that they should be well prepared for school!
The downs of August were few, but had a major impact on me; so, I left earlier than planned and am with a friend now. We're supposed to make blueberry muffins soon =)

That's the recap without all the drama.

My 22nd Birthday

So, I wanted cupcakes--American, remind-me-of-home, cupcakes--for my birthday.

I found an American food store on line and went in search of it, hoping there would be some recognizable baking brand.

It was raining and slightly cold and I was a little lost. I accidentally passed up the street, had to turn around and guess at the directions.
I turned down a street, kept walking, saw an Irish pub, thought if there was a British/American food store around, they'd know of it. But it was closed. So, I kept on, thinking about my cupcakes.
As the buildings straightened out, I saw a sign, "Bobby's" and I knew I found it. I walked in and my prayers had been answered! Right in front of me was a whole wall of Betty Crocker!!!! I was overwhelmed with joy. I grabbed the Classic Yellow mix with the Rich Chocolate frosting, and was set. In the store, as I explored with cake in hand, I saw JIF, Reeses, A&W, Pop-tarts, A1, and French's. Of course, way over priced, but they made me happy.
I made friends with the girl who was working at the time, though sadly I have not seen her as of late.

That Saturday, after my birthday, I met up with Sera in her apartment and cooked dinner. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the oven to work for the cupcakes. It's a gas oven and neither of us had ever used such a thing. So, we decided to wait on cupcakes for another time. THEN, one of her roommates, Katrin (now one of my friends) came home and showed us how to work it. Neither Sera nor I thought of lighting the gas oven-- :) But, Katrin came to the rescue and whipped those cupcakes out so fast it was amazing! The sweet taste, the fluffy texture, the melt-in-your-mouth sensation topped with rich, creamy chocolate icing was what I needed. Thus, 2010 birthday was successful!!



The gas oven and stove top that Sera and I conquered!!

Isn't the kitchen adorable?!?!--sorry mom, it's yellow

Graz, Austria

This is the 3rd largest city in Austria and it was really pretty. Many old buildings to see and a famous rock formation to climb to get a view of the whole city. There are these famous steps known as the double steps, where two stone staircases intertwine going up three stories or so. It was really interesting to see how they were designed.
They also have this ride for children through caves in a mountain. Where it stops the train every few minutes to see some scene from a fairy tale story. The one above, as we all know, is Little Red Riding Hood.

Styria--Deutschlandsberg, Austria

In Deutschlandsberg, there was a castle and I toured it. For being built back in 1100s or so it was very stable, with thick walls and current archaeological excavations conducted inside. I had a great view from the top of it! The town was small and quiet. I didn't see it, but there's apparently a decent nightlife for youths.
However, I went back to the family's house where there was barbecue and delicious goat's cheese melted in foil on the grill and this green salad with pumpkin seed oil and cucumbers and kebabs and Riesling. I enjoyed it all!



A main street in Deutschlandsberg.

Here, we can see traditional clothing. These outfits are soo cute and I wish they weren't so expensive! The church I attended had it's festival that day and everyone was dressed for the party with live music.