How does my new washing machine work?

We have officially arrived in Vienna!  The plane ride went relatively well, in that Hersh really held it together and charmed lots of people.  The biggest problem was that our plane from Chicago to DC (we were then to fly DC to Vienna) got cancelled due to mechanical problems. Thus, we were rereouted--Chicago to Paris and Paris to Vienna.  This added a few hours to our trip, in the end we travelled 24 hours door to door.  Our stroller and carseat also got "rerouted" but fortunately, we received both courtesy of Air France yesterday.  I would like to give a shout out to Air France--they were very kind and helped to minimize our stress.

So, here were are in Vienna.  Our apartment is beautiful.  It is the top two floors of a seven story building.  We have tons of natural light and two beautiful balconies.  We have made numerous trips to IKEA and slowly but surely everything is coming together.

We have had lots of moments where we cannot believe that we live here,  both in an exciting way and in a "did we make the right decision to move here" sort of way.  The weather has been amazing, it is nice to be back in a city where we can walk to everything, and the people here have been so kind.  Children are held very dear and Hersh has been admired by many.  The city is also beautiful.  At the same time, it has been hard for Hersh to adjust to the time difference and I really miss the Central Market, which was our amazing grocery store in Seattle.  What Jacob and I are trying to remember is that this is a true adventure and opportunity.  We are fortunate to live abroad and have the chance to get to know a new culture, country, and people, as well as learn a bit more about ourselves along the way.  As we remind ourselves and each other of this, a natural time keeper is in place for us--yesterday was 11 years since Jacob and I first got together and what an amazing 11 years it has been. 

I went grocery shopping for the first time the other day--whooo--it was intense.  We are also trying to figure out how to use our new washer dryer combo.  Mattress shopping--another area of "cultural difference" that we have overcome. 

We haven't set-up permanent new phones yet, but we can be reached on Jacob's temporary Austrian #: 011 43 650 371 7769.  Feel free to give a call.  We will post more of our contact info as it becomes available.  We also do not have internet set-up at home yet, but we are working on it. Our address is:

Jacob, Darci, and Hersh Lewis
Kuefsteingasse 20/15
1140 Wien, Austria

This afternoon we plan to head to the countryside--will post pictures soon!

Auf wiedersehen!

Scary toilet seat cover left by previous renters--this will be replaced.

Ready for the Farmer's Market!

 

 

 

View from our bedroom window--Schonbrunn Palace with foothills of the Alps in the background.