Culture Talks

Andreas and I took a very lovely vacation this weekend, so I thought I’d post some pictures of it.  We went to a place outside a town called Weiz, which is south of Graz, and stayed overnight in a little motel/B&B (pension in German).  It was really nice and relaxing- good to get out of the city for a bit.  So here you are:

Me drinking a white wine spritzer in my new sunglasses- feeling cool.

Andreas reading his menu- feeling cool.

Me and Andreas being tourists in Graz.

Me painting my toenails to celebrate my vacation (and new shoes)

Andreas and me at the lake

So, I’m back in Graz for another work week after an indulgent 4-day Easter weeekend in Bad St. Leonhard.  I managed to avoid church all weekend, but still witnessed some ‘religiousness’ at the Easter fire when the roasary was recited by all of Andreas’ family.  And then… fireworks!

The Easter fire was held at Andreas’ grandparents’ farm, where we all partook of Easter ham, beer, and schnapps until around 1 am.  It seems that Austrians are always very interested to watch me try a new kind of schnapps for the first time- I assume to see the pained expression on my face after a tiny sip.  That night was no different, but everyone enjoyed my (translated) one-liner after recovering from the sip (see the title).

The next morning we started the day (noon) with more eating (an entire fried trout- you had to cut the head off and pull out the bones yourself!!! Andreas did mine for me) and then we hunted for chocolate-filled Easter baskets in the garden (mine was behind a shrub).

Sunday night Andreas’ sister Petra had an early birthday party with her 3 girlfriends, which provided many more opportunities for eating (raclette) and drinking (champagne).

This weekend Andreas and I spent in Bad St. Leonhard with his family- it was a lovely time, very relaxing.  I had a very exciting time this morning (Sunday) where I went to church with his parents for the Palm Sunday mass.  Despite the fact that it was freezing cold, I really enjoyed the experience.  We started off gathering with the rest of the town in the main square, everyone carrying pussy willows (rather than palms) and followed the priest + marching band procession up a long hill to an old church where mass was held.  Although I didn’t understand much during the mass, it didn’t seem to be that different from other masses I’ve attended.  So, here are some explanatory pictures from our day:

We each got a (handmade) bouquet to carry wit
h us during the procession

Church clothes

Today is Monday, and I’m back to work after a full weekend break.  I’m starting a company course today, teaching level 4 to executives twice a week.  I’ve been doing level 2 so long that it will be nice to teach a slightly higher level finally.  The weekend was really relaxing (for me).  Andreas was studying during much of it, but we had some nice coffee/dinner outings here and there.  On Saturday night Andreas and I hosted our friend Dimi for Mexican food night chez us.  Then Saturday and Sunday I did some shopping (on Sunday it was window shopping) and a lot of reading.  I finally got a subscription to the local library, so I can take my pick from all 35 of them.  Fortunately they have a pretty good John Irving collection, so I should be ok for a while.

Sunday night (after a day of sitting in the park, sun tanning and reading) Andreas and I got all gussied up and went out for dinner at an Indian restaurant I had discovered earlier in the day.  Although expensive, the food was quite delicious.  And although my and Andreas’ feet were murdering us by the end of the night (new shoes), we looked pretty good.

This week is another one full of teaching, and then Andreas and I go back to his parents’ house on the weekend.  I’m looking forward to breathing some clean air and seeing some mountains again, neither of which you really have the luxury of in the city.  Next Monday marks the start of Andreas’ 3-week Easter break, wherein we will take a little vacation to some as of yet undecided location.  The weekend after that, the Moms and sis come. 

So right now, I’m feeling good and comfy here.  I’m missing home a bit more these days- I think feeling disconnected with not having the internet here (YET) or a landline.  It will be nice to be in touch with people again on a more regular basis. 

And, Andreas insisted that I include a picture of me enjoying some delicious Austrian wine in one of our beautiful new wine glasses, purchased with some gift certificates I "won" at the Lutz during his microphone job last weekend.