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!