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!

the worlds most famous musical.

And look at that, before you know it I am on holidays again. Keeping it strictly Austrian this weekend as we dance through the hills and sing our "Do Re Me's" in the beautiful city of Salzburg, located just 3 hours by train west of Vienna. 

Popular not only for the original Mozart Ball as I have said before, but also of course for the 1965 film, The Sound Of Music. Be jealous everyone, I saw where Julie Andrews married the Captain and where Liesel first kissed Rolf (who never existed in the real story...).

Again, falling behind on posting- my apologies. This past week has been somewhat hectic and touristy as we have had a small landscape architecture reunion in Vienna. 1 week ago, Michelle and I were joined with Brad, who has stuck around to join us in Salzburg this weekend. Shortly after Brad's arrival, Kyle arrived and the 4 of us have now arrived in chilly, and so far rainy, Salzburg, Austria. Among all the catching up and eating, I also had my first exam!! Can't tell you yet how good or bad it may have gone, but I feel good about it. (Eco-)tourism and management of protected areas is officially done.

Tomorrow consists of a tour of Salt Mines, as well as through the Bavarian countryside. We also have a 3 hour hike up into the mountains planned, to do our own running through the hills and climbing of all the mountains. Should be a sleepy ride back to Vienna on Sunday night. 

Easter break starts this week in Vienna, where most university students are off from now until the 9th of May. Most international students take this time to travel, makes sense. I am awaiting the arrival of the family! Ken, Loriann, Brent, Tyler and Oma arrive in Vienna on Thursday, and I could not be more excited. I have been anticipating this visit for a few months now! and I certainly have a lot of tour guide duties in the next couple weeks. With them, we will travel to Prague after the Easter weekend and I will have to send them on their way back to Canada. The day after they fly home- I fly to Greece. :D.

Busy huh? I am taking this chance to update you on all the travels, and my whereabouts. Then this week I will return to my eating duties, and maybe tell you about how much I need to go jogging to burn off all the bread and cheese I eat. 

Pictures to come! I even got a photo on the fountain and steps the Von Trap children ran around singing "Do Re Me" on.. 

shannon xx