Ich liebe Griechenland

I love Greece.


Ok.. who knows anything about Greek food? Clearly I did not. It is more amazing than I could have ever imagined. And this is why Greece is officially my favourite of all the places I have been. (Not just because of the food I guess.. but yea thats mostly why.)

Moussaka!

Unfortunately, I did not always have my camera on me at meal time due to its massiveness. So my photos of this fabulousness that is Greek food are limited. But, take my word for it.. I have never eaten so much delicious food in such a short period of time in my life. After being back for a week, I still feel full, and find myself eating crackers for dinner.


So what does Greek food consist of, you might ask? Well to start, there's a LOT more to it than just souvlaki, yogurt and feta cheese. With a culinary tradition of over 4000 years, I have learned the the Greeks don't fool around when it comes to food. Although I wish I could (in my opinion) say the same for the wine, beer and coffee.. eww. NOT high on the list of priorities, clearly. 

A frappe (cold coffee with sugar, not horrible) and insanely thick yogurt.

Olives, a variety of cheese, tomatoes, fresh fish and thyme honey are only a few of the historically significant foods we tried in Greece. In the islands, where we spent most of our holiday, fish is whats most available. I had the opportunity to sample an AWESOME plate of salmon, in a white wine and dill cream sauce, served with a side of cooked carrots and zucchini. Can't say this is a famous Greek dish by any means, but at least it was seafood!


You can also tell that some dishes are from deeper origins, or influences, like Turkish or Arabic, just from the names. Things like tzatziki, gyros and moussaka and so on and so forth.. I had to google this, clearly.


So if you haven't caught on yet, I love Greece and its food. We should all just be a little more Greek when it comes to food, starting with yogurt and honey.

Other than eating here, we didn't do much else. As we were told upon our arrival in Mykonos, there is nothing cultural to do, so go to the beach. We did just that! In both Mykonos and Santorini, we rented ATV's for a day and adventured through the rural side of the islands, ending up at great beaches and incredible views. 


In Santorini, we also had the opportunity of taking an all-day tour around the islands that make up what is now Santorini. 
A huge sailboat, The Albatross, was our ride for the day, a volcano was our exercise, the hot springs were our lunch break, a deserted island was our nap-time, and the sunset numbed our butts. 

Explanation: A wonderfully huge sailboat took us from one island to the other, stopping at each for a different sight to see. The first being a volcano, where we hiked 30 min to the top to get a handful of information about volcano's, and how they work.. cool. From here we took our descent back to the boat, where we hitched a ride to the 'hot springs'... which really means warm springs. It was then I put on my sweater and took pictures of the suckers swimming in the freezing cold sea. (Good job girls! :P)

Next on the itinerary was a small island, which I am sure would be hoppin' in the summer, but as of now was pretty quiet. All 6 of us took a nap on a concrete dock, and got a bit burned. Serves us right. 
To end the day, we were dropped of at the bottom of a cliff looking up at the town of Oia, where the famous sunset is seen every evening by a ridiculous number of tourists. To get up the cliff? Ride a donkey!! Yeaaa, won't do that again. 

Sunset was beautiful, but took too long to be brutally honest. We were WAY to early, resulting in a numb butt and jelly legs from sitting on a slab of concrete. 

The remainder of the trip consisted of us laying on a black beach, building black sandcastles, and taking old school all night ferries back to Athens. It was truly a memorable vacation, and there are SO many more things that I could talk about in here. But to keep it short with facts, so I don't lose you.. I will keep it here :)
What should you take from this post, if no other? Greek food, think about it. 


Back to Mozart balls and schnitzel, shannon xx

time for a recap? ja.

Back in Vienna! And I can officially say that Vienna has become my home away from home. After an extended Easter break and a solid 8 days in Greece, I was anxious for my arrival back in Austria. The comforts of a familiar pillow and sweat pants really goes a long way. 


After a few random postings trying to keep you informed of my whereabouts, I feel I should probably give you a recap as to where I have been for the last month, and why I once again have a permanent food baby. Holidays! They do that to you. 


Starting after my weekend trip to Salzburg with Michelle, Brad and Kyle, I officially started a 3 week vacation from studying here at BOKU. A combination holiday for Easter as well as spring break or reading week. 

During this break, I spent some time with some great friends also touring Europe, my family, and then a relaxing trip down south with some roommates and a few other girls. 


April 21st - My parents, brothers and Oma arrived here in Vienna, where they would spend the next 5-6 days exploring this city, while I led them through the sites. After Vienna we then headed north through the Czech Republic to Prague! 

After 4 days in Prague, I said my goodbyes to everyone, who then caught their flights back to Eastern Ontario. 
May 1st - I fly with 5 other girls to Greece! Spending one night in Athens, then setting sail to Mykonos and Santorini, we spent our days riding ATV's and donkeys between laying on beaches and stuffing our faces with spectacular Greek food. 

And after all this, I returned to Vienna this past Monday evening where I flew face first back into school, already completing two exams and a project proposal. So much fun!! :P


Now, another mission of mine is to get this blog's rhythm back in order. Let's see how that goes. 

3 house white and 3 house red please.

Planes, trains, busses, donkeys, sailboats, ferries, and ATV's.
Souvlaki, yoghurt, honey, alfa, brandy with tea, calamari, tzatsiki, bread, tropical margarita, stuffed peppers, vine leaves, salmon, sea bass, greek salad, ouzo, tomatoes, olive oil, crepes, saganaki, little shoes, mousaka, don Fernando, and cheesy eggs.
Acropolis, Olympic stadium, pantheon, super paradise, opa, Argo, backgammon, down under, holt renfrew, volcano hot springs, oia, fira, sunset, and BBrB.

Greece anyone?
Currently rockin my way back to Vienna.

So sleep deprived, Shannon.

czech - what they really eat.

So I wasn't completely wrong, traditional Czech dishes really are all about meat. Pork, duck, rabbit, veal, turkey, beef and chicken are some of the most common.. haha wha. Often paired with dumplings or potatoes.. this was not a diet for me!! (except the friend Camembert.. I can handle that now and then for sure.)


No wonder the boys in my family loved the food here! 

Brent's platter of various meats.

Cheers! The 'dunkel' beer was a favourite.

Even so, I did find a huge Austrian and German influence here when it came to the food. I could get a big slab of schnitzel pretty much anywhere we went. And I guess these influences are a lot of the reason for such a high protein diet, just a little more extreme in my eyes. Viennese cakes and desserts were also readily available, but by the time we got to Prague I think everyone had their fill of apple strudel. 


We were blessed with fantastic weather in Prague. We spent our days taking in the sights of this dark (and somewhat creepy), but incredibly beautiful city. Often by the time the late afternoon rolled around, we seemed to end up at the Easter Market listening to young accordion players, Czech 'Cotton-Eyed Joe', and sipping grog and dark beer. 

My favourite thing about Prague would have to be the John Lennon wall. I could spent an entire afternoon just sitting and staring at it. The John Lennon wall is a colourful collection of Lennon and Beatles inspired graffiti and lyrics all over this chunk of wall hidden in the city.The wall started around 1980 when western pop songs were banned by Communist authorities, and the Beatles lyrics praising freedom and love were clearly not allowed. Even with control to try and keep the wall clean, people were constantly covering it through the night. The wall seems to change every day, but is still covered in lyrics and messages of free speech and love, and the colours are incredible.

I loved Prague! and I think the rest of the family did too. It was definitely a change from Vienna (minus the schnitzel)! I cannot believe how fast the family vacation went. 

turtlenecks!

My opinion? Czech's eat a lot of meat.. fatty meat. Less beef though, because they have to import it. Loads of pork, and chicken, and lamb, and venison and more. Brent legitimately had a platter of meat for dinner out first night in Prague. 


meat meat meat meat


BUT, at the same time Brent was inhaling Old Macdonald's farm, I had a fantastic fried Camembert cheese dish.. ou yum yum.


Other than meat, Prague definitely offered my family and I some fantastic dishes, and even some mouth watering easter market grabs that I will miss dearly. Such as the turtlenecks. (Unsure of the real/czech name, this is our own variation).

Fortunately, our timing was perfect when it came to travelling through Prague. We were fortunate enough to have spectacular, and even hot sunny weather, as well as enjoy the last week of a month-long Easter market and concert in the Old Town Square. Where we seemed to end up every afternoon, we caught a glimpse of many amateur dance performances, traditional Czech bands, and even young accordion players while sipping on a dark beer and grog. (also known as 'hot wine'.. not good!)

An excellent, somehow dark and beautiful city, Prague served up some memorable meals for our crew. With a quick departure this morning, the family has hopped on a plane and headed back west to Canada, leading me to head back here, to Vienna. Wishing them safe travels, I am now home and preparing for tomorrow morning's early departure to Greece! 

Athens, Mykonos and Santorini here I come. This has been a long LONG awaited journey that I am lucky enough to embark upon with 5 other girls also studying here in Vienna. 


Tzatziki and Souvlaki here I come!! :D (Don't worry, I hope to try something a little more Greek than what I able to get in a plastic container back home.)


Safe travels to the Harbers/Jonkman clan!

a few to taste.

Just a few photos form the past few days here in Vienna and surrounding area, mostly from the Grape Grazing Bike Tour we all took part in!


This past week has been insanely busy, full of sunshine, apple strudel and 'dunkle' beer. From palaces to crypts and operas to Mozart.. The Harbers/Jonkman clan have thoroughly toured the city of Vienna and all its perks. Whether its Gelato or 'Gepetto' (as Brent would refer to it as).. we have seen, toured, heard, and smelt all sides of this city.


So what's next? Prague, Czech Republic! My only question, after being a so-called expert and tour guide for the past week here in Vienna.. what do they eat in Prague? Besides beer anyways. Dad has informed me that Prague is the beer capital of Europe, with Czechs being the biggest beer drinkers around. I am not complaining. BUT, I would like to know what goes alongside that beer. 


I think it is a good thing we get a move on to Prague, Dad is getting into a routine of more than one large piece of Apfel Strudel a day... 


shannon xx

airports.

How is it that airports can hold some of the saddest, and happiest reunions and goodbyes in one building? People are giving hellos and goodbyes, some excitement and some grief, sheer joy and deep sadness. After heading out to Vienna's International Airport to meet my family, I discovered one of my new favourite areas to "people watch". The Arrivals area is crowded, hot, and extremely uncomfortable, but all around you see many anticipated reunions of old friends, families, and couples with nothing but tears of happiness and ear-to-ear smiles. 

With that being said, after a late flight (not by much), and a couple delayed bags, the Harbers and Jonkman clan have arrived safely in Vienna, Austria and have me as their tour guide. So far they have sampled some excellent Italian dishes, a variety of Austrian beer, Apfel Strudel, and of course- Mozart Balls. We decided tomorrow we would stray away from the always satisfying Italian pizzeria joints and test out some Austrian dishes.

To start day 2 of the tour, the group of us have signed up to do a "Grape Grazing Bike Tour", where we bike to a few local vineyards a short distance out of Vienna and taste excellent wine and homemade traditional dishes. We;ll have to see how that goes over. I don't see it going as well as the stuffed ravioli or wild boar penne from tonight, but we'll see!