Time Off for Good Behavior?

I get asked a lot about how things are different in Vienna than they are in the US. Well, almost everything is different to some degree, however, store's opening hours are a biggie. Firstly, all stores--grocery, bakery, department--are only open until 7:00 during the week. I think on Thursdays they possibly stay open an hour later in some cases. On Saturday everything closes down at 5 or 6 and on Sunday nothing is open. I've heard rumors that there is one grocery store open on the other side of town, but have never checked it for myself. Now, for the holiday season all of this changes a little, at least for the last week, anyway. For example, everything closed early on the 24th and remained closed until the 27th, which was a Thursday this year. Then everything was closed again on Sunday. Today, Monday, open again, but closed early for New Year's Eve and will remain closed until the 2nd. So, to do the math for you, in the last week everything has been open for only 3 1/2 days!!!! Needless, to say I'll be glad to get back to normal. I went to the grocery store today and stood in line for 25 minutes!!!! It actually took me longer to check out than it did to fill my basket. Next time you run to Wal-Mart or Crest at 10:00pm, remember me. Happy New Year, everyone!!!!

Frohe Weinachten

Wow!!! Has it really been a month since my last post? Apparently, so. Well, December is almost over and we are fast approaching the 6th month anniversary of our arrival in Vienna. I know I've said it before, but it hardly seems possible we have already been here that long. Well, December here shared some similarities with the Decembers we've spent in the US and, of course, there were also some differences. We started the month off with some new experiences, sort of. In Vienna, like many other places in Europe, the Christmas markets open the season. These are large outdoor market areas filled with all kinds of yummy foods and drinks and also a vast array of Christmas ornaments and other yuletide accessories. I'm not sure how many of these there are in Vienna, but we managed to make it to a few. I guess we'll save the rest for next year.

Another, sort of new experience for us was buying a Christmas tree here. Now, Jake has assured me since our first Christmas together that no self respecting Colorado native can have an artificial tree. So, like years past we set out to find a fresh tree. Now, we have traditionally, put our tree up the first weekend in December. However, we discovered in Vienna most people don't put up a tree until Christmas eve. Well, I wasn't too excited about that idea. Luckily, a few trees did start appearing around town the second week of December so we scored one fairly early by Austrian standards.



Mid December also held another blessing. Jake's parents made their first trans Atlantic flight and joined us for Christmas. I think everyone was a little nervous about this flight, but they arrived safely and right on time. We had a great time having them here. Abby was especially excited to see her Nana and Grandpa. We took them to a few places of interest around Vienna and shared with them the little bit of information we new about what we were looking at. I would say Jake and I for sure need to learn a little more about this beautiful city if we are going to be proper tour guides. The weather here has been pretty cold, below freezing, so we didn't get to go out too much. Dragging a 4 year old around to look at old building while her lips are turning purple from the cold, is not anyone's idea of fun. Nevertheless, we all had a good time spending the holiday together. Jake's mom and I fixed Christmas dinner in my miniature, European kitchen. All was well, but it take some extra planning ahead. My oven is only big enough to cook one thing at a time. Brian and Alisha also joined us for dinner.



It was a little strange being so far away from our entire family, except Jake's parents, for Christmas. Vienna is a lovely place at Christmas, but I must say, I missed so many things from home. Here is a list of a few: day after Thanksgiving shopping, Salvation Army bell ringers, 24 hours a day Christmas music on the radio, Christmas parades, Christmas parties, Santa Claus, Christmas TV specials (the sappier the better), peppermint mocha from Starbucks, Christmas cards (thanks to the couple of you who sent them), and last but not least eating Mexican food on Christmas eve and driving around looking at Christmas lights afterwards.

So, I hope all you readers out there in blog land had a Merry Christmas and a have Happy New Year.