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Published: July 31st 2008
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Overlooking Jaunstein
The Crew overlooking the beautiful Austrian countryside I must say that as I stay in Austria longer, I become more and more impressed.
To update my readers of my travels in this beautiful country I will start from the 25th.
The 25th I did a whole lot of nothing. I slept most of the day nursing a bit of an upset stomach (draw your own conclusions) Because I had stayed up the night before tazen (dancing) with Anna and Mateja I was very tired.
RANT (Pardon me Techno lovers, but Techno really sucks when you take a
GOOD hip hop/r&b song and put it to the house DJ's favorite feel good alternative hit.
Flo-Rida and Coldplay should never be combined ever again.)
The next morning Mateja, Anna, Marjeta, and I were greeted by Mateja's friend Nora who brought us a breakfast of pastries. The people on the continent of Europe eat a whole lot of bread for breakfast.
Another Rant (Many of my readers know that I went to France last summer, and I will return to Dijon this summer. I figured as the French are notorious for their love of bread AKA the baguette, that there was not
another country in the world that could compete with them when it comes to bread loving.
Austrians take the cake (or bread). Every single meal in Austria involves bread. Bread for breakfast, bread for lunch, bread for dinner. It's amazing that these people are not fatter that Americans. From what Dr. Atkins tells us, carbohydrates are the root of fat production. I think Dr. Atkins put one over on the fat people of the world. Inactivity and preservatives are the root of fat production.) End of another rant
Anyways, Nora brought us bread and then we left for Carinthia. Driving there I have to admit I missed a lot of the beautiful countryside due to my need for sleep. After about a 3 1/2 hour drive we arrived at Mateja's home in Carnithia. We ate some amazing potato soup and I looked around the charming home for a little while. The house according to Milan Mateja's father was about 30 years old. He bought it one day without every having taken a look inside because the man who owned it couldn't pay for the upkeep. Consequently it needed a lot of work done do it, and Mateja's family
has been doing much of that work themselves for the past year.
After a year and some work, my personal opinion is that it is a wonderful home but the family still tells me that it needs work.
Lunch digesting, we made our way to a village near the house where a restaurant/bar would host the 50th birthday celebration. We ate appetizers, I was introduced to the various members of Mateja's extended family and talked to fulfilled my job described by Mateja's mother as entertainment.
I met Matjea's little brother Marion (Anna and I call him Mario), taught him how to be an American gangster and just a general load of fun.
We watched 3 generations of the family participate in a soccer game in the rain and destroyed large portions of authentic Austrian food and beer. I must say that I absolutely love Austrian beer. I have drank so much beer in the last week and a half. But that night I drank about 2.5 liters of beer. Lets just say I was the happiest I have ever been 😊
We danced, talked, played table soccer and just had a general good time. It
was interesting how close knit the family unit was and how they came together for an event marking half a century. When my father turned 50 it was a celebration, but it did not last for more than a few hours. This celebration lasted from 3 in the afternoon till four in morning. The food kept coming, the beer kept coming, and the talk was endless. I must say it was THE BEST party I have ever been to. I will admit I was very tired, but my Austrian friends assured me that this was nothing. "Attend an Austrian wedding, and you will see a party" According to them a wedding lasts for an entire weekend. I really don't know if I could handle that much of a party.
After the party we went back to Mateja's home in Carinthia and slept til 1 in the afternoon. The Europeans do a great job of blocking natural light from entering the home I must say and for that reason when I finally wake up every day I am clueless as to what time of day it is.
We got ready to go, ate some breakfast, and ventured out to
My Austrian Grandma
She doesn't speak any English, I don't speak much German... it's still love :) Mateja's aunts home. We drove up into the beautiful hills with billy goats on the sides and came upon her aunts farm. Full of chickens, cows, goats, and other various farm animals we were able to see a magnificent view from the top of the hill. Attached to this entry are some pictures from the top of this hill and I would identify them as such. This little Nikon can take some good pictures, but I assure you will not understand the pure beauty of these hills without your own eyes.
After returning home, Milan Mateja's father took us to the top of a nearby mountain where a cross overlooked the valley. We drove close to the top because we were close on time, and walked the rest of the way. There was a church at the top (also attached in the pictures) which dated back to the early 11th century.
After taking some beautiful pictures we descended the mountain and made our way back to Vienna.
(I am sorry that took so long to post, but I have been sick for the past couple of days so give me a break :] )
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Rachel
non-member comment
Your pictures are absolutely beautiful!! I'm glad that you're having a great time. Keep on posting pictures!