This Sunday my parents came to visit for the week. I showed them around the area I live and we went to my favorite Italian restaurant. It was a good meal and the waiter was very pleased by the generous tip he received. (I think the tipping lesson was learned after that, although the Greek waiter was very happy too)
On Monday we visited St. Stephan's Cathedral and went to Schwedenplatz for a traditional hot dog and gelatto! We attempted to go to the War Museum, where I had gone with my class to see the exhibit they have on WWI, the Nazis and Austria's Naval history, but it was closed when we got there.
Tuesday my teachers came out with us to a "traditional" Viennese restaurant, Vienna is a big melting pot city and doesn't really have any food of its own. I think we all enjoyed our food, Wiener Schnitzel, apricot filled crepes and tiramisu, which was more like strawberry angel food cake. Afterwards, we went out to a local bar and restaurant for a drink and chatted with some of my friends from the trip. My roommate Lacey described my parents as "Smiley" and she could see why I smile all the time (which I dont see as a bad thing).
Today we went to a Greek restaurant for dinner, after some questions and prodding dad got a "gyros", which is not like the lamb meat in a pita from home, but rather spiced chicken on rice, but still good!
To my parents:
I hope you enjoyed Vienna! You should comment on your experience and the sights you saw! I will try to post the picture as proof that you were really here soon.
Love,
Kristin
Ps. feel free to add me on skype, I have had some trouble finding people, it might be easier if you add me. Its Kristin-Pergander.
It was wonderful to see our daughter as an adult making her way easily around town in Vienna. I lost track of how many times we were asked questions in German and turned to her to translate culturally, if not literally. For example, she gently drew us to the right if we stood to far to the left on the escalators, accidentally blocking those climbing on the left. She has confident mastery of the tram-bus-underground transport system and can read a map like the pros! She already has favorite places to go, and makes herself right at home there! She fearlessly mentions popping into Prague or Paris like we might say we were going to visit Milwaukee! The souvenirs she brought us from Prague were perfect! Seeing her in Vienna for the first time, it took me a second to recognize her - she looked so "European" and blended into the crowd. We felt overwhelming pride in her transition to her temporary home, and she seems completely in her element. Her room is so cool - it looks like a photo from IKEA! Very minimalist, furnishings spare, low to the ground, lots of clever built ins that make the space very livable, and even a tiny balcony looking into the courtyard, with two tiny chairs to catch the sun - if it ever comes out!
ReplyDeleteKristin, you were a thoughtful hostess and made our trip so much better than if we had visited alone as tourists. The restaurants you chose, the adventures we had, the taste-testing in the market, and the experiences we had of everyday life in Vienna made the trip very special. We enjoyed meeting your friends and hearing their views of life there, and dinner with your professors was also quite special. But of course, the best part was getting to see you, and to see you experiencing Vienna. We love you, honey, and we are very glad you are getting to live this dream. Be safe!