My Big Sis!

    When I was in the 6th grade, I had a Croatian big sister named Iva.  Tall, slender, long dark hair, and a passion for the piano.  Kelly and I tormented her just as we did one another, and we loved her equally as much.  During the summer of 2001, we visited her in Croatia, she celebrated Christmas with us in 2002.  Since we've last been together, she's gotten married, has a three year old, I've graduated high school AND college, and now have a serious boyfriend. 

    But, Vienna is only three hours from Zagreb so she and her family drove to see us.  And, they even stayed an extra day since we had that awful 24 hour delay (thank you Chicago & Mother Nature!)....  I was so happy to see her and talk to her, poor little Ana slept the whole time :(  Dad brought Ana a little bear with a USA sweater on it and I gave her a Disney princess story book in English of course.  Seeing her has so far been the best experience of this trip, even if it was for too short of a period of time.  I'm sure by the end of these two weeks it will still be my favorite glass of wine......

   Iva wants me to teach Ana English this summer, that way we'll have plenty of time to catch up with each other's lives.... 

My Escape 12-30-2009 (Driving to Feld am See)

Driving proves to be quiet a challenge in the narrow streets of Vienna when your in the backseat of a small BMW filled to the brim with suitcases, a frustrated father, and an impatient Austrian.  The stick shift, navigation system in German, German street signs, on coming traffic, and pedestrians did not complement this situation either.  Escaping into the world of music provided to me by my IPOD, this is the only way I can enjoy the final glimpses of Vienna (interestingly enough set to the melodies of Eric Clapton).

Father loves Austria/German culture much more so than I.  Beautiful architecture with great the world's history hidden in the museums these cities are incredible.  The food an wine are pleasing to my palet, but alas something is missing.  I'm not engrossed with German, Germany, or Austria.  Perhaps it is because this culture is too similar to the US that I am not able to loss myself in its charm and illusion.  The impatience and rigid structure does nothing for me.  In Chile, Mexico, and Peru the feeling of rush and time along with the concept of punctuality fad in importance.  Instead of schedules and time frames, life flows continuously and smoothly from one activity to the next, finishing everything eventually but in a stress free manner.  Perhaps this is the sole reason I'm not totally in love with Germanic culture, but can picture myself living permanetly in a flat somewhere in some latin country indefiantely. 

Could it just be the people I've been exposed to in each country?  This is a possiblity, but I can't help but to love the laid back attitude latin cultures share.

Way to go mom!

My mom would find my Mexico blog, good job :)

Mexico blog...

12-29-2009 City of Vienna Bus Tour

Warm and interesting, the bus tour provided us with historical facts, sadly not many photo opportunities. If I had my druthers, the double-decker hop on/off tour is my go-to tour in any city. In winter, yes it would be colder. But, how nice it would be to have the ability to exit the bus and take a picture of the buildings and statues that you see without the flash reflection from the glass or other vehicles and buses blocking your shot.

 
----->  Phillip & I on the bus ------->

12-29-2009 9:00 a.m

Find me a culture that is a blend of latino and German, now send me there.

This morning I actually had to leave on time, on vacation!!!! Stress. Stress, arguments, and emotion that is how my day started, but I was able to finish my hair, make-up, jewelry, and even put on my belt in route to this morning’s tour. And, it’s blue skys and uncharacteristically sunny, so it will be a good day.

12-28-2009 VIENNA

We’re at the concert this evening, although I am exhausted the show is wonderful. I thought I’d take a moment to write during the intermission, that way I would be able to retell with the best detail. The mix of music with the dancers and singers keeps the “Strauss and Mozart Konzerte” interesting. From the Kursalon Wien concert hall dangles five crystal chandeliers, beautiful window treatment and architecture, and of course an ornate ceiling. Can you imagine what this was like for the Lords and Ladies of the nobility? With their gorgeous gowns and styles all dancing and waltzing to those haunting sounds of the Viennese Waltz and all of the other classics by Strauss and Mozart? Before the show, Ines and Michael took us to Figmuller for a Vienna tradition, the classic Wiener Schnitzel which is fried/battered pork essentially but less greasy with a hint of sweet. It reminded me of a country fried steak, minus the gravy….well I think it only reminded me of the country fried steak because it was flattened so much, the taste was completely unique. Also, they ordered for us a delicious “salad” called a “Fogel Salad” which was potatoes, pumpkin seed oil, and some type of green substance I swear was spinach leaf not lettuce but no one knew a direct translation but swore I was wrong. Does anyone out there have a better idea of what it was? Regardless, it was sweet and healthy (well, maybe not too much so with all the sugar, but more so than the fried pork). After some wine, we went for a customary espresso (double for me) before heading to the show. Even though the double espresso couldn’t seem to shake my exhaustion, the enthusiasm and passion that the first chair violinist put into his music definitely did.

….Flight to Vienna…. 12-28-2009

How refreshing it is to have on a clean shirt, fresh make up, and brushed hair. Although I attempted to sleep around 11 p.m. last night, the sleep was less than the ideal REM cycle. The plane was too hot at first, then my legs couldn’t get comfortable, and it was too early when those beautiful rays of sunshine danced into the cabin windows. For us, it was only 4 a.m., but for the Germans it was time to start today. I wish I could start everyday watching the sun paint the horizon’s clouds. Now that we’re sitting waiting for this connection, this gray day is a little more than gloomy.


During the flight dad and I got sucked into the “Slum Dog Millionaire” movie, which is actually horrible to try to watch on the small headrest TV United tries to pass off as a television. Each seat had its own individual television controls, which is much nicer than being subjected to the movie choices of one flight attendant, but unfortunately there wasn’t many interesting options to choose from this time. The background noise of the cabin and the tiny font used for the subtitles when the actors in the movie slip into speaking their native tongue made following this plot line a bit of a challenge. I will definitely watch this movie again, at home, on the big TV. Brian, I hope you’re okay with that. If not, go golfing or something.


Time to depart for Vienna. TT4N!!!!!

…. A little later….

We’re finally landed in Frankfurt after more delays in D.C. Instead of taking off at 7:15, we left at 8:48. Luckily Cyndi was forward thinking enough to give us a three hour window to catch our Vienna connection. Now, it’s 10:40 we’ll have plenty of time to find our gate, our luggage to find its way onto the next plane, and to freshen up some. My face could use a fresh coat of paint, and my teeth a bath.

Airborne somewhere over Germany 12-27-2009

39 degrees F, 4 degrees C in Frankfurt


Looking out over the cloud cover on a flight could be my favorite way to start a day. Although it is an extremely cloudy day wherever it is below us, up here the sun merrily wakes up our passengers with its bright morning rays. Colors of the sunrise dance across the horizon as our crew slowly prepares our yogurt and much needed coffee. Disappearing through the clouds, we’ve begun our descent.

And the Saga Continues 12-27-2009

During our drive to Dulles airport, somehow we found the only accident on our route. And of course, we stumbled across it with only a ¼ tank of gas. Venturing down a side street we chanced a 5 mile drive to “Brunswick” in a last ditch search for gas. It’s evidence of the holiday season when everyone you ask “Where’s the nearest gas station” replies “I’m sorry butt… I don’t live here.” After a few left turns and bad directions, we finally discovered a CITGO.



At least the Steelers game is on the radio….currently we’re leading 13-10. Can we hold it?

The Saga 12-26-2009

At 4:15 Dad and I piled four suitcases, two laptop cases, and two carry-on bags in the Escape. 4:45, Kelly & Nathaniel hugged and kissed us goodbye at the Pittsburgh airport. Off we went to wait in the two hour line for United Airlines. Although the East coast weather forecast said blue skies and sunshine, Chicago and the Midwest received an after Christmas gift of a winter snow storm. Our 7:30 flight first delayed to 9:30, later cancelled completely. Fortunately, while in line we realized we would miss our connection. Thinking ahead, Dad called United to try to fix a solution quicker than the waiting two hours in line before figuring out a new plan. Twenty minutes worth of hold time later, we had moved twenty- five feet in line and a cancellation notice on my cell phone. Great, stuck in Pittsburgh for at least tonight. It took the next forty-five minutes working with Cyndi on the phone to find us anything leaving from the East coast tomorrow…. Here’s the catch, there’s no outgoing flights from Pittsburgh since all of the planes are stuck in Chicago.



So, we did what all crazy-travel-bug-bitten West Virginians would do….


Had a Yuenglin, sushi, and rented a car….. It’s only a 5 hour drive to D.C.

  Our beautiful rental car.... gotta love it!

***We finally made it***

We have finally, nearly 48 hours later arrived in Vienna..... Unfortunately, I am typing on a German laptop because this apartment does not have WIFI....buuuut once we get to Feld am See I will not have to fight with this keyboard any longer.

Just wanted everyone to know we made it, the weather was sunny and nice today....We had a full day and tomorrow we will tour this gorgeous city, so it is bed time for me.


Hugs and kisses from Austria!!

Austria Trip

For our customary Christmas vacation (or escape), dad and I are traveling to Austria.  We'll be spending a few days in Vienna, Feld am See, and finishing the trip in Salzburg.  For this two week adventure of ours we will be skiing the Alps, visiting possible three generations of exchange students (Phillip the Austria, Clemens the German, and my only big sister I've ever had Iva the Croatian), drinking Gluevin, eating as much Milka chocolate as I possible can, and of course touring Austria as much as possible.

Perhaps we'll get snowed in while we're in the Alps, forcing us to stay an extra week.......

Click here to read about Austria

Eric Church concert 12/19/2009

As part of our Christmas present to each other, Brian and I drove to Huntsville ALABAMA to see an Eric Church concert at a little venue called Crossroads.  If you haven't  been to an Eric Church concert, you're really missing out.    First of all, Eric is not that well known on a national scale (compared to say, Tim McGraw).... but when you go to his show there is not a person in the house that does not know every single word to every song he plays.  And, he doesn't just play his songs routinely... he plays the with passion & really rocks the house. 

  We got to Huntsville around 6:45, doors opened at 8, he came on at 10.....  People were already lining up in the cold waiitng to get that spot right by the stage.  We, on the other hand, were hungry and opted for food first.  We still were able to get a spot we wanted, on the upper tier of the venue by the railing right by the stage.  We posted up on stools and had the best seats in the house.  We saw some fights (between two plus sized women), made friends with probably the only bouncer I've ever met with an electrical engineering degree, and enjoyed the show.....

And, a roadtrip isn't complete without a stop at Wal-mart on the way home.... at 2:30 in the morning.  I can't decide if the emptyness of Wal-Mart so close to Christmas or the old man in a red onesie pajamas buying his weeks supply of groceries were the best part of that experience.......

Eric Church Livin' Part of Life....

Christmas

Yesterday being that it was Christmas, was about as normal as normal can be. Which means the typical family feuding & sisterly bickering rank side-by-side with over-eating, snow, and presents in the Galloway household. Throw in divorced family, step siblings, and a tight time table & bingobango that's Christmas.

I arrived late on Christmas Eve to a wintry white snow covered Marland Heights, but sadly woke up to a drizzling rain in stead of the promised snow.... Apparently that snow is stuck in the mid-west somewhere, possibly waiting for the weather's version of the air plane company who never seem to be able to get passengers from one destination to another flawlessly.

Regardless of the debacle that has turned into our Christmas traditions, it was wonderful to see my mom, dad, sister, probably future brother-in-law if he can deal with Kelly for that enough, and my mom's side of the family.... complete with our adopted mini-family that is the Watsons.

Anyone up for a road trip to Oregon this summer? I've got a childhood best friend that is dying for me to visit, promise Chelsea I'll be there soon!

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope everyone had a great holiday & if not I hope that your stories equal or can top mine. Because in the end, if we can't laugh at ourselves what is there to enjoy?

Christmas Eve..... 6 hours in the airport....

So, I’m sitting in the airport….waiting. Why is it when you travel you end up spending so much time waiting for flights, connections, planes, people, and taxis? It’s 3 p.m. and my flight to D.C. doesn’t take off until 6 p.m. Oh-well hopefully the inclement weather will stay away until I arrive safely in Pittsburgh.

One day and a half in Weirton, then dad and I hop on a flight to Austria. This trip is going to be fabulous, packed with lots of sight-seeing, friend & wine, and of course some of the Alps fresh powder…. I probably should have practice my German more, but unfortunately I ran out of time for this trip.