Sunday, January 15, 2012

Gruss Gott! Week One.

So, we made it one week in Vienna.  Well, actually a week and a half.  So far, so good.  What I love about our apartment is the location.  We are central to what seems like everything.  This is the cafe you see when you walk out of our building.



So far, my favorite thing to do is to go to the Naschmarkt (1 block from our apartment) and enjoy all the fresh food.  It is incredible. It certainly is a luxury to have fresh food daily - cheeses, wurst, bread, vegetables, pastries, etc.  Here are some pictures I took yesterday.



They also have fresh flowers daily.  


You can tell the Europeans are used to eating fresh foods daily as their refrigerators are so small.  There is no room to store or freeze much of anything.



Luke completed 3 half days of his new Viennesse Montessori school.  I am so proud of him.  From what I can tell (at this early stage), the kindergarden school system is very different from the American.  And, I can't get over how much smaller everything is here - especially the school class rooms and the playground (which they call 'garden').  It makes you really appreciate 'space'.


Elizabeth is faring well, but I am trying really hard to get her into a fixed sleeping schedule.  Once I can do that, my daily routine will be easier and more predictable.  So, for the time being, I am a bit limited with my outings around the city.  I'm sticking to a radius of about half a mile.

This past week we've been focusing on just getting settled and getting some of the bureaucratic things done  which always is a bit slower here in Europe.  With this behind us and Elizabeth schedule more regular, I am hoping to venture out to explore more of the city - especially the innerstadt, flea markets and the many furniture and antique stores (which seem to be everywhere).

11 comments:

  1. How exciting. YOur pictures of the market are unreal. How fabulous to shop for such fresh treats every day. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Thanks Fran, can't wait to visit and need most of all big hugs and sloppy baby kisses. So happy for you to have this great experience.
    Going to talk to a tile man about the front of our fire place next trip to AnnArbor. Love you and miss you. Grammy

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  3. Wow! Look at you, I'm so jealous! I watched an episode of House Hunters in Vienna. The couple was relocating from the U.S. I thought of you. Yes the kitchens were small. It will be better for you eating fresh foods anyway! Yay! You have a sweet family. Best to you!

    Amy R.

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  4. Fran, this is so exciting! I love your new 'hood, and I'm sure your new lifestyle is going to fit you like a glove. Glad everyone is settling in so well--and hoping E does soon too!

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  5. I'm really excited to be following along on your adventure. I think it is so great that you have so many interesting things to do and see right outside your doorstep. I mean, just going to the market looks like a beautiful experience! You must be finding inspiration everywhere!

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  6. You must be having a ball soaking in all the culture with your family. Such a great experience for all of you. How exciting!

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  7. *** So glad I just "FOUND" you!!! WE lived off n' on in Vienna for two years, several years ago, in a "penthouse"(well, that's what THEY called it anyway! It DID have it's own pool up there, tho!!!). We were in the First District, across from the Opera House...

    Oh, I can PICTURE it, but canNOT REMEMBER the name of my fave place... across from the Rathaus, & just a few blocks from our place... It's on the corner & is "NICE"... carries ALL the international newspapers, & is very famous, but I liked it most in Spring. Our dog would sit outside with me, HAVING HER OWN CHAIR next to mine (the waiters ADORED her!!!), soaking up the sun while I enjoyed coffee, read the newspaper, wrote a few notes/letters and "people-watched"... We'd be there for a lonnng time, just enjoying the weather and the people, and I LOVED that part of my day...

    I hope you & your children enjoy this part of the European culture... and I also hope you TAKE the chance to enjoy all the fabulous lil' cafes (Mozart's fave place & several other places which, after 15 years, I canNOT remember the names! Darn it!).

    E*N*J*O*Y, my friend!!!

    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

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  8. Fran, I can't tell you how much I loved this post. It looks like you and your family are adjusting quite well to the change and I really look forward to seeing more of your Austrian adventures. Talk about such gorgeous produce and flowers!

    P.S. Elizabeth is precious! Love her little smile!

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  9. Fran, so happy you're settled! Can't wait to see/read more of your upcoming adventures! Enjoy :)

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  10. HOW did I miss that you were doing this? OMG! I am glued to your blog girlie.

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  11. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Fran! You are so lucky. And I am a jealous girl. :)
    Camille

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