Wiener Wednesday Returns!

As of yesterday, the Wilson household is going to try to regain some sort of normalcy. I say this because for the past 3 months (with the exception of a couple of days), we have had back-to-back trips, tours, and visitors. I made the comment recently that it was time to find a “new normal.” I’m hoping to find a routine that works with my new responsibilities at the church and my growing boy. With that said, I also hope this will mark the return of the weekly...

Are you excited as I am? I know you are...I can feel it all the way across the Atlantic. Anyway, as I have been pondering my subject matter the past few days, I received an email from a fellow Tennessean who came across my blog researching Austria. She and her husband are contemplating making the move over here. In her last email she asked what I thought about Vienna and if I thought it would be a good place to move. Hmmmm....I’m sensing some good subject matter here. And it wouldn’t require me to do research. I’m liking it. I’m going to do it. You get your Wiener Wednesday, and I won’t have to write another email...score! So without further ado...

~Reasons to move to Vienna~

1. It’s beautiful – I mean, it’s really beautiful...not just the landscapes and mountain ranges, but the architectural structures too. Sometimes I just drive really slowly through the 1st district to soak it in. Or maybe that’s to annoy the rabid taxi driver behind me? No, I think it’s the first reason. Anyway, as many visitors as we’ve had, I never get tired of seeing the city. Not to mention the glorious Alps!
2. Great public transportation – I know I did a blog way back when talking about the reasons we were getting a car, and I shunned public trans. However, I did say it was a great thing too. The public trans is so good here you really don’t need a car. There are not many places in the world where you can say that. AND you have the added bonus of moving here and not worrying about purchasing one, figuring out how to get insurance, paying for gas, getting lost, or finding car seats for little ones. It’s easy!
3. Good food – Yes, it’s definitely different from Cracker Barrel. But, there is some tasty grub here. Especially after hearing some of the horror stories from Jeremy’s tour to Asia, I am happy with my Wiener schnitzel and apple strudel. Fried bugs just ain’t my thang.
4. Large English speaking population – Thanks to the United Nations headquarters and lots of international companies who have hubs here, Vienna has many English speakers roaming about. Not to mention, lots of Austrians speak a bit to help you every now and then.
5. German – Now, do I speak German? Not really. I know enough to get by and be slightly dangerous. And a large portion of that has nothing to do with my studying, but because German on the whole is not insanely difficult. When you consider English is a Germanic language, there are many words that you can guess what they mean. When you compare that to Czech which looks like someone sat on a computer keyboard and it exploded, German is a walk in the park.
6. Europe at your fingertips – When growing up in the US, Florida was our big vacation in the summer. We would drive 8 hours south till we hit beach. When you drive 8 hours south here, you hit Florence, Italy. This still blows my mind! Most all of Europe is a few hours by plane or train away. Where else could you take a weekend trip to Paris and not break the bank?
7. Traditions – I love all the Austrian traditions, festivals, and ceremonies. I love that you can walk down the street and see lederhosen and dirndls all around. More importantly, people wear these things without being laughed out of the country. I love it! Christmas festivals, pumpkin farms, devils at Christmas time, New Year’s Eve fireworks, the Ball season...you name it, they have it, and it’s fabulous!
8. Music – Since I’m married to a trombonist (and it’s the reason we moved to Vienna), I have to count this one. Classical music was practically birthed here, and it’s a huge part of the Viennese way of life. Where else does an opera perform sold out shows every night? Or people are put on a 13 year waiting list to get season Philharmonic tickets? I recently bought a t-shirt that says “Rock Me, Amadeus.” Only in Vienna would this even be sold!

~Reasons to NOT move to Vienna~

1. The dining experience – Is it too much to ask to have just one restaurant chain besides McDonald’s here? Sometimes, I would just like to walk down the street and see something familiar, and say “hey, they have really good (fill in the blank) there.” Austrians value small, family owned restaurants. That’s fine and great, but that also means you never know if it’s good or not. Unless you go there and eat and say “yum” or “yuck.” I know that a lot of people think chains are bad and evil and blah, blah, blah, but there’s something to be said for good food and familiarity.
2. German – Yes, I know this is in the first list, but of course it has to be said. Learning a foreign language is hard. Period.
3. Shopping – I would LOOOOOOVE an all-in-one-stop-shop here that’s open past 4 pm. I seriously have to go to three different places to get the toiletries and groceries I need. And don’t you dare forget to stock up on groceries before Sunday or one of the million holidays...that’s how people starve.
4. The cold shoulder – It’s a common stereotype that Americans are over-friendly and loud. Well, Austrians are stereotyped as the opposite. I’m not saying they’re unfriendly, but you’re definitely not going to get lively chit-chat on the subway. Since I come from a town where you wave to people as you meet them on the road driving (and you don’t know them), it’s hard to adjust to. I remember one time I was on the Strassenbahn and a little girl was sitting across the way from me. I smiled at her, and she smiled back. So I made a silly face, and she smiled again...and then her mother moved her to the other end of the car. Friendliness to total strangers is not something commonly found, and it usually creates suspicion when encountered. I guess I’ll just have to bring my Aunt Jerrie over here. She’ll southernize them for us!
5. It’s not home – More than anything, it’s just not what I’m used to. It’s a foreign land, and it does not compare to what we consider home. Sad, but true.

Bottom line? If you are looking for an adventure, a beautiful place, and to be culturally expanded, then Vienna is for you! If you want something like the good ol’ U.S. of A., then you better just stay there! :o)