Musings
Trip Start
Aug 16, 2008
1
8
10
Trip End
Aug 27, 2008
Vienna,
Austria
Sunday, August 24, 2008
There are these little snails that line the walking path in the morning and evenings, and they are the weirdest looking critters! They're called "naked" snails because they don't have any shells... but they are snails! I had no idea what they were because they look like.... well.... animal poo! I certainly didn't know that these things were alive, I just thought that people let their dogs go all over the place and then didn't bother to clean it up! lol My Aunt was the one who pointed them out and explained what they were! I'm going to have to get some pictures because they are quite neat... although I still wouldn't want any of them on the bottom of my shoe!
After that, I did the mundane things that, in my opinion, should rightfully be forgotten but cannot be avoided if you are a good guest. Dishes, sweeping, washing floors, cleaning up dog poo (my all time, personal favourite) laundry (mine) and waiting patiently for my hosts to arrive home from their conference!
I've just come in from the gazebo where I was reading my newest Conde Naste Traveller magazine (a little ritual I have when I travel....it's the only time I ever buy them) which happens to have an article on the Amalfi Coast! Does that surprise anyone???? It won't if you know me well.... actually it'll make you roll your eyes and laugh! I haven't even left Austira and I'm already in Italy!!! I guess I'd better practice being carb "friendly" or I'm going to die!
Everytime I look around, I am truly stunned by the views. I do find it odd that, even though I know we have the same type of scenery in Canada, what I've seen never seems to be as stunning as it is here! It might simply be that I haven't seen enough of Canada to have any previous images compete with the vistas I'm seeing now. I know I'd be hard pressed to find identical, physical structures, but we must have countryside that easily rivals what they have here! I guess I'll have to add Canadian destination to my upcoming, travel itinerary. It's actually pretty sad to be as ignorant of what my own homeland offers, hmmm? Bay of Fundy, anyone???
I've had my "German ears" back for several days now, but I'm still not speaking as much as I'm capable of. I'm surprised at how much I still understand, but far to affraid of becoming known as the local 'butcher' to do much speaking. I know that's the best way to learn, but I'm shy that way! Most of my German has been learned by ear but I also want to know how the word is spelled, not just enuciated, so that when I come across it elsewhere, I'll know what it is. When I'm speaking or listening, I'm not just focussing on the sound but also on what it looks like! My Aunt said if she spoke German like that, she wouldn't speak much, either... she'd be too exhausted! I'm like a closet-German-speaker........ the dog knows how well I can do it! :-)
Now that I have made such a big stink about this eating thing.... I'm craving schnitzel.... nothing else..... just schnitzel! Too funny!
Barb and Hannes are home, Whiskey is happy, Gregor left and I've just been told that we're going to a heurigen and that means I can have............ SCHNITZEL! My prayers have been answered! (I know what y'all thought, but my prayers have gotten pretty simple, lately!)
Later, Gaters!!!!!
