National Feiertag (Happy Austria Day!)

This past week was refreshingly normal.  Jacob went to work, Hersh and I busied ourselves about the city in between naptimes, and a good time was had by all.  When we walk around our neighborhood and the city, it feels quite normal, which feels wonderful.  I am even beginning to know where things are in the grocery store!

Saturday was a beautiful day and we made it to Schonbrunn Palace in time for sunset.  We walked to the Gloriette, which is the building that is part of the palace that we can see from our apartment.  It was a lovely fall evening and we couldn't have asked for a nicer sunset.

We also met Hersh's pediatrician this week.  She is very nice and although Austrian, did an internship and her residency in New York and Seattle.  She was very complimentary of Hersh's disposition and thinks that he is developing beautifully.

Yesterday we celebrated National Feiertag which simply means National Holiday.  Everything was closed, people had off from work, and there were patriotic celebrations throughout the city.  Hersh and I went with our friend Jess and her son Judah to the Museum Quartier where there was all sorts of celebration.  We had some delicious Sturm (seasonal wine) and enjoyed the people watching while listening to the Snoop Dog they were playing over the loud speaker.

And today, October 27, is Hersh's half birthday--that's right, he 's 6 months old!  I cannot believe half a year has passed since he was born.  Every day Jacob and I love him more and more.  He is the best and we couldn't feel any luckier than we do each and every day, knowing that we have such a wonderful son.  Just the other day I told Hersh that I have one wish for him--to be as happy and as healthy as he is right now forever.

Leaves changing on the wall of our courtyard.

Dinner can get kinda messy sometimes...

The Gloriette

Schonbrunn Palace at sunset

From atop the Gloriette with Schonbrunn and the city on the background.

Loved the palace!

Happy 1/2 birthday, Hersh!

 

Europeans go on holiday!

You know, it's interesting--when Americans take a break from the day to day, they go on vacation, yet Europeans go on holiday!  Having just returned from our first European holiday, I feel assured that going on holiday is something that everyone deserves to do!

We left Vienna last Wednesday--it was a cold and drizzly fall day, or as we have taken to calling it--Seattle weather.  In true Darci and Jacob fashion, we left with what we thought was plenty of time to get to the airport, but of course ran through security when the plane was scheduled to board.  Fortunately, the Vienna airport was running behind so we were not actually late, and made it with plenty of time.  We flew FlyNiki, a wonderful, budget airline, which is a subsidiary of Air Berlin.

Upon arriving in Palma de Majorca, we took a 45 minute shuttle to our hotel on Colonia St. Jordi, and it was amazing!  Our hotel was right on the Mediterranean and our room on the 7th floor had a wonderful view.  We spent the first afternoon walking around town, as Wednesday evenings is when they have their street market.  We then went back to our hotel for dinner (the food was not the highlight of the trip), and put Hersh to bed in his hotel crib.

The next morning was a bit overcast, but after a nice breakfast and everyone's morning nap (we napped with Hersh each morning) we set out on foot and walked the length of the promenade, past the light house, to the Port.  As the afternoon wore on, the weather cleared.  We enjoyed sangria with our lunch and then took a dip in the Mediterranean.  It was a lovely day.

The next two days we had amazing weather--sunny, clear, breezy, 80 degrees.  Each day we hiked to a different beach--one day Es Trenc, the next day from Es Dolc to Es Carbo.  Both beaches were amazingly beautiful with crystal clear blue water.  It felt so nice to be outside in the warmth and swim in the open water.

Our final day was cooler and a bit overcast, and Hersh was tired, so we just took it easy and read on our balcony while Hersh napped.  One interesting aspect of our trip was that we were surrounded by Germans and everyone assumed we were German.  We booked the trip through a website that typically serves Austrians and Germans and did not come in contact with one native English speaker our entire trip.  But, let me tell you, those Germans love babies!  Hersh was the hit of the hotel and made friends with just about everyone.  Another aspect of the trip that was strange on one hand, but also enjoyable, was the fact that it was low season.  Because it was low season, Majorca was fairly empty and very laid back.  There weren't any crowds and the beaches had lots of room for lounging and roaming.  At the same time, because it was low season, everyone was in low season mode.  The people working at the hotel were less than attentive--it was clear that this time of year is easy compared to the summer, and this approach did not bother us.  It allowed us to enjoy "complimentary" beverages and free beach towels, which was good, because Jacob declared that there was no way we were paying the 15 euro each rental fee for towels! 

We were fortunate to have had an amazing holiday but are very happy to be home in Vienna.  Sleeping in our own bed is wonderful and it is nice that we feel at home here.  The question now, where to travel to next?  We think maybe Prague or Budapest!

enjoying some sangria upon arriving at our hotel!

produce at the farmer's market

fill your plastic jug with wine at the farmer's market

amazing sunset

"Like my sunhat?"

lighthouse after a storm

Loving the cool Mediterranean breeze

Family Portrait!

like father, like son

"Who me? I'm a pirate!"

Muchas Gracias, Majorca!

Election Day!

Today is election day in Vienna--the city is electing a new mayor.  There are four major political parties runing--the Socialists (SPO/red), the Right Wing Party (OVP/black), the Extreme Right or what people refer to as the "Racist Party" (FPO/blue), and the Green Party (green).  All over the city there are posters with pictures of the candidates, most of whom have creepy smiles.  Also, each party stands at different focal points around the city giving out things like pens, balloons, condoms (Green Party, clearly), and candy.  Jacob has keenly observed that all of parties give out the exact same candy, and he cannot help but wonder if this is regulated by the elections board of the city.  The headlines in the paper read "Will it be Red/Green or Red/Blue?"  Should be interesting to see who wins.  We were warned not to go into the center of the city today--Stephansplatz--as the "Racist Party" is having a big rally there.  We think that we will venture to the wineries or the Prater Park, which is one of the old beautiful parks in the city, instead.

The weather has been perfect fall weather--sunny and crisp.  Jacob had a busy, yet productive week this past week.  Hersh and I had a few mellow days and a few busy days.  We attended our first meeting of the Vienna Babies Club, and have been assigned to our sub-group, which is for moms with babies born April-June2010.  We also bought Hersh a winter coat (at Baby H&M--stay tuned for pictures of him in it--so cute!), a stroller sleeping bag, and a new stroller.  Now we are all set for the winter.  One thing that is strange here, is how sensitive people seem to be about the weather.  In my opinion we had great late summer weather when we first arrived, and have transitioned into a beautiful fall.  But let me tell you, people are bundled up already, like it's the winter.  Jacob and I both find it to be sort of bizarre and truly wonder what people will be wearing once winter really arrives.

Last night we went to a wine and cheese gathering hosted by the professor that Jacob is working with.  All of the mathematicians in Jacob's group and their partners/families were invited.  It was very low-key but really enjoyable.  The people in the group were fun to be with and I plan to invite them over for a brunch sometime in the next few weeks.

The big excitement of this upcoming week is that we are taking our first trip in which I can say that we are truly taking advantage of living in Europe.  On Wednesday we are flying to Majorca!  Majorca is a small island off the coast of Spain in the Mediterranean.  The weather there is still sunny and in the high 70's, so we are hoping for one more dose of summer.  We got a fabulous last minute deal on www.billigweg.at, which literally translated means "cheap way."  Should be amazing!

In Hersh news, he tried apples and millet cereal this week and tonight will dine on squash.  We have his six month appointment after we return from Majorca, so more shots and we will find out how much he's grown.  Just this morning Jacob was saying that on one hand it's crazy to think that Hersh is 5 1/2 months old already, at the same time, it feels like we've had him forever, since he's such a part of us, yet, it's only been 5 1/2 months.  And not to be too graphic, but it is hilarious when Hersh poops.  He clenches his body, his face turns red, and you can tell that he is working on something serious.  To be totally honest, it's really hard to not laugh while he's doing this, because it is so cute and just too funny. 

Hope everyone on the other side of the blog world is doing well.  Sending warm wishes to my brother Lowell, who broke his ankle and is having surgery.  We are thinking of you Lowell and wish you a speedy recovery!

Enjoy the pictures below and see you post-Majorca!

Bundled up for a trip to the Merkur (our grocery store)

Delicious "latke" from the potato man on the street

mmmmmm...horse ear

Making Hersh applesauce:

pre-boil

boiled

mashed

applesauce...a messy yet delicious Shabbat dinner

helping Abba do his research

Rathaus--the Parliament Building

fountain outside of the Rathaus

Jacob's new office--quite different from his office in Padelford Hall at the UW.

The Votive Church at night.  This is the church that you pass when walking from the Ubahn to Jacob's office.

"Yes?"

It's pretty fun being a baby!

Hersh, mid-conversation.

Love!

Settling In

This past week we bid farewell to Rich and Emily, and began to settle into what our life will be here in Vienna.  Rich and Emily were amazing help and support to us, and we truly cannot imagine how we would have been able to move here without them.  Hersh loved spending time with his Sabba and Savta and we look forward to our next visit with them.

After their departure, reality set in, and so far it's been ok.  Jacob is getting to know the people in his group at the University and I have been researching expat playgroups that Hersh and I can attend, so that both of us can get the socialization that we need!

In an effort to get to know our new city, Jacob, Hersh, and I went to Simchat Torah services at the Reform congregation here in Vienna.  It is a very beautiful, small synagogue with stone interior.  The rabbi is British, but lives in Berlin, and comes to Vienna once a month.  There were about 30-40 people at the service, most of whom seemed to be Viennese.  We had hoped/heard that some expats attend this congregation, which was our motivation for going.  But, this was not the case, and to be honest had we not introduced ourselves to the rabbi we wouldn't have met anyone.  Overall, it was a fine experience, and I think that we will most likely give it a try again at some point.

For the remainder of the week Jacob went to school and Hersh and I continued to make small explorative outings.   One afternoon we walked to the BioMarkt in the Ottakring neighborhood, and a different afternoon we went and walked around the Volksgarteen by the museums.  On Friday I attended a Yoga class at a studio in our neighborhood.  It was really nice to do yoga, although I had no idea what the instructor was saying, being that everything was in German, and much of the guided meditation was lost on me.  Regardless, it was a familiar experience, and I hope to continue practicing while we are here.  It's actually sort of funny, at this point, we have figured enough out that we seem to blend in fairly well, which means that people often talk to us, yet we have no idea what they are saying (well, Jacob has much more of an idea than I do).  I've taken to smiling and nodding a lot, which seems to allow me to pass as not too rude.

Yesterday, all three of us went to the Naschmarkt, which is very similar to the Pike Place Market in Seattle, only much bigger.  Part of the Naschmarkt was flea market like--very similar to the Englishtown Auction (this reference will only make sense to NJ folk) and the other half was spice stands, pastry stalls, wonderful restaurants, etc.  Walking around, I felt like an episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations: Vienna" could have been filmed at any one of the amazing restaurants/bars.

We then walked to the Museum Quartier, but not without a brief stop on Maria Hilferstrasse, which is the main shopping street here in Vienna.  We only walked about two blocks, because Jacob and Hersh were not that interested in the shopping.  I will have to go back without them!  I did score a cute linen dress for 10euro and we passed the most ridiculous hair salon--could've been the hair salon in Zoolander--see pictures below.

We then headed into the actual Museum Quartier, which is like a big walled compound with courtyards and museums.  There was wonderful music being played outside of the MUMOK: Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien.  It is an amazing building and I can't wait to go back and check out the art!  We then met up with one of Jacob's collegues, his wife, and son.  We went to a kid friendly cafe next to the Kindermuseum and enjoyed some treats.  It was a really great day. 

With today being Sunday, not much is open, so we will see where the day takes us.  Hersh is napping right now,  but he is super busy working on sitting up unassisted, which he can do as long as he isn't too tired.  His babbling has also progressed from just vowels to include consonants.  Jacob is convinced that Hersh is often saying, "Abba, Abba" and Jacob will promptly answer, "I'm right here."  I am also working on the signs for "more" and "all done" with Hersh, when he is eating.  

Some images from around the Museum Quartier:

This is a picture of the jewelery showcase that is in the subway at the stop where Jacob changes trains.  He thinks it's hilarious for obvious reasons.

Delicious potato "wedges" purchased for 1.5euro from a man on the street.  He also had latkes, which we'll try next time.

What we thought was candied etrog, but after purchasing, Jacob decided it was candied pomello.

Typical assortment of delicious pastries available everywhere in Vienna.

Zoolander hair salon.

This lady was standing outside the Zoolander Hair Salon--so tan, cigarette, and foil still in.  I think she knew I was taking her picture, but I had to!

He's my sugar pie.

Toy bin--so many choices.