Swingin' around town!

After a long week at work for Jacob and a busy week for Hersh and I, we were all happy to enjoy Shabbat.  Saturday was a beautiful day--low 60's.  We began the day by heading to the grocery store, where I engaged the produce man (who I know speaks English) in a hunt for maple syrup.  I couldn't find it anywhere in the store, although I knew they had it because I recalled seeing it previously.  We all searched and searched, but couldn't find it, and then, as we were in the check out line, he ran up to us and triumphantly presented us with not one, but two kinds of organic maple syrup.  We then went home and had delicious challah french toast, which Hersh tried a taste of and loved!

Following Hersh's morning nap we hopped on the U-bahn and headed down towards Der Prater, which is the big park in the city, similar to Central Park or Golden Gate Park.  We were hungry though, since we had been up since 6am (thanks Hersh!) and challah french toast seemed like it had happened days ago.  So, we got off the train a stop early and decided that we would find a place for lunch.  We then proceeded to have one of the most amazing cafe brunches ever. Freshly baked bread; yogurt with fruit, honey, and muesli; cheeses; butter; jam; kuerbis creme soup; caffe latte, black tea, and orange juice; and chive cream cheese with veggies.  Everything was so fresh, made right in the cafe.  The honey came from the forest.  Jacob and I enjoyed every bite while Hersh hung out and made some lady friends, and then when he was ready, enjoyed gnawing on a pear and carrot stick.

We then strolled to the beautiful Prater.  The leaves were changing, the sun was shining, and Hersh went on the swings for the first time--and he loved it!  The only thing that is strange about Der Prater is that it has an amusement park, similar to Coney Island, as a part of it.  And let me tell you, it is the strangest, creepiest, amusement park we have ever been to.

Yesterday Hersh and I did an amazing baby/mama yoga class.  It was a great workout for me, and Hersh loved watching the other mamas and babies.  He also loved the end of the class where we did yoga together.  After yoga we met up with Jacob for lunch since the studio is next to the University.  We had Mexican food, which we decided was amazing for Mexican food in Vienna, and would be rated as "mediocre" back in the States.  Next week we think we will try a "pay what you wish" Indian food joint.

Finally, Hersh has started to smack his lips, shake his head back and forth, bop or jump up and down, and has become very interested in animal noises when we read to him.  What a baby!

If you look closely, you'll notice it's Grade C maple syrup--only the best!

mmmm...french toast

Fresh oj, bread, jam, butter, honey

Black tea and a cafe latte

cheese with chives

beautiful yogurt with fruit and muesli

kuerbis creme soup

veggies

Abba and Hershel

the amazing cafe

The Swinging Series:

swinging can be tiring...

but is very fun!

  The amusement park series:

they use real horses for the merry-go-round

sculpture #1

close-up

sculpture #2

but of course, a beautiful sunset

From sunshine to rain

We were fortunate to have a week of AMAZING weather last week--it was sunny and in the 60's all week long.  This allowed for many outdoor outings and the shedding of a few layers of clothing.  But, alas, the sun has disappeared, and I fear that we have now entered the rainy season of November.  We are well prepared and well seasoned for the rain being that we lived through 6 wonderful winters in Seattle.  The rumors of the approaching winter continue, with everyone warning us that it is going to be freezing.  I am prepared and vow to spend time outside each day regardless of the weather.

On Saturday we went back out to the vineyards, this time to Kahlenberg.  We took the bus all the way up the hill and then enjoyed a nice downhill hike.  The hike down was paved so it made for easy transit with Hersh.  The weather and the view were amazing.  In the middle of the hike, as we were walking through the vineyeards, we came upon a large barn.  They had wonderful outdoor seating, delicious artisan cheese, bread, homemade mustard, and we drank Gruner Veltliner--local white wine.  As we enjoyed, we basked in the late afternoon sun and were reminded of what a charmed time in our life this truly is. 

With each outing comes the question, "Where do we change Hersh's diaper?"  Although it would seem that this question has a simple answer--a changing table--there are not very many public changing tables in Austria.  Thus, we improvise.  We have come to prefer the grass (with our changing pad down) over a nasty bathroom floor.  So, when we got to the wine barn, after Jacob had purchased our wine and delicious cheese plate, we turned to each other and asked--"Where do we change Hersh?"  You will see below a picture of a Pipibox (which Jacob decided is the only name better than a Honeybucket), this is not where I changed Hersh.  Instead we found a nice, sunny piece of grass and I gave Hersh a "freshie."  As Hersh and I were enjoying the moment and the fresh air on his cute, little, tushie, I let him know, "Well, you got us, and this is the life you will have...." He gave me a smile and a laugh, letting me know that he doesn't mind our somewhat unconventional, yet resourceful style way of life.

Yesterday, we went to the Stephenplatz, which is in the center of the city and walked from the big cathedral to the Museum Quartier and through the Hofburg Palace, which was the winter home for the Hapsburg Dynasty.  The architecture was beautiful and the grounds quite grand.  I also enjoyed a history lesson from Jacob about Austria, the Hapsburg, and WWI as we strolled.

One final note:  we have cell phones now.  If you would like to reach me or Jacob and you are calling from the States, please let me know if you would like the phone numbers. 

Der Stephensdom built in 1365

The view from the top of Kahlenberg hill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pipibox..hehehe

Warm, afternoon sun.

Delicious wine and cheese.

Hello!

The next series of photos is Jacob modeling the poses of the statues at the Hofburg Palace.  I hope you enjoy these photos, because we really enjoyed taking them!

What a weekend!

A Walk in the Woods

Today was another national holiday--All Saint's Day--so Jacob did not have to go into the office.  This in combination with the beautiful Fall weather (it was in the low 60's) afforded us the opportunity to take our first trip out to the Vienna Woods, which are the foothills of the Alps, and just on the edge of the city.  For all you Seattleites out there, where we went today is comparable to Cougar Mountain.

We just hopped on the Schnell-Bahn, took it three stops, and arrived at the Lainzer Tiergarten, which used to be the private hunting grounds for the Kaiser (emperor).  The colors of the trees were breathtaking.  It felt wonderful to be out in the woods.  We even saw a few wild boar, as they live in the Tiergarten.  This was especially exciting for Jacob as the wild boar or hog is the U of Arkansas mascot--wooo pig sooie!  Hersh also enjoyed the hike.  He schnoozed for a bit, listened to the wind in the trees, and found the leaves fascinating.  At the end of the hike Jacob and I shared a slice of pizza and got a Fanta at the train station, where we learned from the Pizza Guy that Austrian Fanta is different than American Fanta.  Austrian Fanta is "colder" or more bitter than American Fanta--who knew!

Jacob has some wonderful colleagues (who have really great spouses!) in his research group.  Yesterday, we had a them over for a delicious Fall meal.  We made chili, spinach artichoke dip, and blondies for dessert.  It was really nice to cook a big meal and host everyone.  We went up on the roof for an amazing sunset!

Tomorrow morning we will go pick up our visas.  This is exciting as we can now begin the process of figuring out whether or not we can get cell phones--ahh the adventures of living abroad!

There are no chocolate chips or vanilla extract in Vienna.  Thus, we smashed our own chocolate and used vanilla zucker instead, but the blondies were still delish!

Beautiful sunset from our roof

Our friend, Jess, made Hersh this super-cute owl shirt for Halloween--so sweet!

Foliage

That's the back of Hersh's hat.  He schnoozed while we hiked.

I'm awake!

Doesn't everyone bump into wild boars when they go hiking?

Hersh is slightly skeptical of the Family Self-Portrait.

Discovering the leaves.

I love the woods!

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!