Heyyy Brother

Last week I had a visit from my brother (the doctor). The best way to feel like a local is really to convince a visitor that you actually know what you're talking about. 

Austrians and Australians - you can see where the tall side of the family comes from.

When the big bro arrived in Vienna I was away on a ski trip so he filled the time with museums and sightseeing, so that when I got back we could have a good old sibling catch up over bier and spritzers.

First stop was a trip to Nashmarkt, with lunch at Neni after an entree of free samples. Then to Mariahilferstraße to show off my flat and indulge in some retail therapy.

Unfortunately I've reached that irritating point in semester where I actually have to go to uni (this post was spurred on by procrastination from a presentation on the electoral and political system in Thailand) so we parted for the afternoon so I could go to class.

In an effort to experience Viennese culture we opted for Leupold for dinner for schnitzel with all the trimmings and a few more biers.

Followed by Kaiserschmarrn (thick shredded pancakes with jam) for dessert, because after two months in Vienna it was time I tried every regional specialty.

After dinner I showed off my extensive knowledge of the city with a guided tour around the University, Parliament, Rathaus Park, and Museums Quartier. 

The next day we shopped again, toured Stadtpark and ticket the last item off on my Viennese food list - Käsekrainer (hotdogs with cheese and mustard). No photo because we'd been walking for hours and they just didn't last long enough. Then after only a few days he was off to London and then back in Perth in time for work on Monday morning (poor kid).

See you in November!

Wo ist der Osterhase??

What do you do when you're a diehard ethnic thousands of kilometres away from your ethnic family for Easter? Don't worry! If you're really lucky some very distant relatives will adopt you for the weekend. 

Nikolaus, Toni and me with our Schneemann.

I spent the Easter long weekend with my gorgeous Austrian family (who knew I had an Austrian family?) on a farm just outside of Weiz in a province called Styria. It was amazing to relax and recover from a few full on weeks while enjoying the country life and experiencing all the cool stuff kids get to do when they grow up with snow.

Pretty much the second we arrived at the farm Nikolaus decided we had to go sledding, which we did until we couldn't feel our toes. 

After tea and kuchen there was time for a walk with a few of the locals before dinner.

The next morning the kids were worried there was something seriously wrong with me. Why is she still asleep? Is she sick? It's already 7am! 

I spent the weekend learning how to cook a few Austrian/Dutch/country specialties, sledding in the fog, dying Easter eggs, and being taught German by a five year old.

We visited the town of Weiz with its Baroque and Roman churches, and then took our freshly baked Pinze (bread) and dyed eggs to be blessed. 

Easter Sunday we had an egg hunt in the snow (as you do) and a huge breakfast followed by way too much chocolate.

Thanks so much to Maria, Philip, Alexandra, Nikolaus and Toni for making me feel so welcome! Nikolaus' rendition of gangnam style during the 1.5 hour car ride was particularly special.