Austria to America. All I was asking for was a basement when my husband, my 3 little ones and I moved from the suburbs of Vienna to the Cornhusker State of Nebraska. I felt a lot of fear to live in a state that is known to be in the so called Tornado Alley.
(weather radio, weekly test)
It was as early as March when Nebraska had its first Tornado Watch of the season. I’ve never experienced anything similar. Yes, there are thunderstorms, supercells, funnel clouds and Tornados around the Alps. There are even some stormchasers that run http://www.stormhunters-austria.com. Since the 1950´s there has been about 90 registered Tornados in Austria.
So I informed myself well in advance. I went around and asked our new friends, neighbors and acquaintances in Lincoln about Tornados and what to do. Do I keep on driving? Do I leave my house and drive to an official shelter? Do I run down to school? What exactly means a Tornado Watch and what is a Warning? Sirens? When do they go on? What if I don´t hear them?
What I hear makes me wonder and think about it even more. Not everyone is taking precautions. Not all have basements. Most never experienced a Tornado. A lot don´t take shelter during a Tornado Warning. Some simply pray and hope for the best. Most people live with the Tornado Warnings for most of their lives and take them what they are. Nature.
Someone then told me to buy a weather radio! How safe I felt all of a sudden. I bought even two. Just in case. One that fitted in my purse and I could take with me outside of town, anytime. That made me feel safer. (Oh, later that year I got my first iPhone – what a great help to get those weather apps).
We learned fast that not every Tornado Watch meant to go and run down to your basement. We learnt to live with it, like everyone else does who lives in a state that is constantly struck by Tornados. I’ve learned my lesson in being more calm about Tornados, but I’ve also realized that it´s the awareness that keeps you safe!
My daughters first day of school in Nebraska will be not only the day when she went to school the first time in her life. She went to school in Nebraska. It always will be the day we officially started our journey in Nebraska. Good Bye Austria.
Welcome USA!
It was the fear to bring my kids into a situation like this one. Being in a country they´ve never been before. A country their language they didn’t speak or understand. Observing for many weeks she started little by little to speak, read and write in English. She was enrolled in the ELL Program. Today she is able to follow any conversations and has little problems to find the right words. School was not only a challenge for her, but also for me. Elementary schooldays in Austria start at 8am and usually don´t go any longer then lunchtime. Kids don´t eat at school in Austria, unless they are signed up for an after school program, which usually is another building, or within walking distance of school or it´s one of the newer full-time elementary schools.
Her first day started at 9 am and lasted until 3.38 pm. I still don´t know why schools out at that time in Lincoln, Nebraska. This was a long day. But – and this was the biggest surprise for me – the teachers convinced me to look after her in between and come by for lunch. Unless you are volunteering at the classroom (depending on the teacher) parents are usually not seen at elementary schools in Austria.
I loved the experience to help teachers, to join my daughter for lunch anytime! or to stop by and drop of her lunchbox. Lunch-boxes are something that we have never used before. Kids either have lunch at home or at the after-school program here in Austria. This includes a full 3 course meal. Soup, main dish and often a dessert. The menus have a bright variety and there´s never a meal served twice a month!
I decided to let my kids eat 2 – 3 times a week the school lunch, because I wanted them to have the total experience and to get to know the culture. Of course my daughter quickly found her favorite new dish. Corn dogs.
We were lucky. More than lucky. She was surrounded by wonderful, amazing, and caring teachers and students. One thing that was given to my daughter during those 2 years in Nebraska was a lot of love and joy throughout her journey. It made her grow beautifully. It made her open for others. It made her see things from another perspective. It made her what she is today. My wonderful 8 year old daughter.
See my blog for more thoughts about Nebraska and Austria.
Amazing Interior Design In Boutique Hotel, Austria!!!
Wiesergut Boutique Hotel is located in the Austrian Alps near Salzburg. Its amazing interior design is work of Gogl Architekten who transformed old 14th century object into this beautiful modern hotel.
Looking at the snowy mountains from your chair through floor-to-ceiling tall glass walls sounds great, doesn’t it? In this hotel you can do it. Besides this, incredible work on wooden furniture and overall interior design really promises good time. Atmosphere there is simply unique.
Credit goes to: imfunny. Taken in Ellmau in Tyrol.
We personally love this pic because this is definitely a great way to keep our Austrian Alps free from cigarette trash. What do you think? Like it or not?
Aqua Dome is a 140-room, four-star-plus hotel and spa complex in Tirol Therme Längenfeld, the Tyrollean Alps in Austria. The altitude must have had an effect on the planners and designers because the place is out-of-this world heavenly.
The services are impressive and the facilities absolutely beautiful although somewhat counterproductively named with words too difficult to pronounce unless you speak German – which one can learn ;). The dome ceiling, glass-walled thermal spring hall Ursprung (Origins) is the main indoor area with two pools and a huge waterfall. From there, you swim via two canal pools to the amazing outdoor area, Talfrische (Freshness Valley). With its illuminated structures and steaming vessels it resembles the potion-making lab of a gigantic but friendly sorcerer. The two canals lead to a cone-shaped illuminated tower. From there you proceed to the three bowl pools that look like gigantic martini glasses. Bobbing in one of these 8 meter high bowls that are 12 to 16 meters in diameter, you can gaze upon the Alps and contemplate your good fortune.
The beauty center and spa are known as Morgentau (Morning Dew), the rest room (not a bathroom but a room for rest) is called Besinnung (Reflection) and the view terrace is called Umsicht (View). Gletscherglühen (Glowing Glacier) is the impressive “sauna world” with various Finnish saunas from earth lodge and hay sauna to a loft sauna, a steam cathedral, a salt water (they call it brine) grotto, herbal bath, ice pool and a panorama whirlpool. The fitness center called Gipfelsturm (Peak Push), the kids’ area called Alpen Arche Noah (Alpine Noah’s Ark), the medical center (Medalp 4health) plus several restaurants ensure that everyone’s needs are met.
Aqua Dome is one of the six VAMED Vitality World resorts, all located in Austria.
Austria has taken the art of relaxation to another level for its residents with a hammock-filled public art installation entitled Flederhaus (Bat House) right in the capital city Vienna :)!
Can you recognize some of the Christkindlmaerkte and where they are at :)? If you have some pictures of your own, or stories about Austria’s amazing ‘Christkindlmarkt Culture,’ then don’t hesitate to post them in the comment section below and we would love to feature them on our facebook page and in one of the next upcoming posts about Christmas in Austria. Stay tuned!
Do you miss the days when you were anticipating the next Harry Potter book in the series or waiting feverishly for the next movie to finally come out! Well, look no further than Austria’s International School for Witches and Wizards. They may not have flying broomsticks or dragons, but they have a headmaster named Grand Wizard Dakaneth and a garden full of special herbs.
Your enrollment in the International School for Witches and Wizards program begins in Klagenfurt, Austria. The course consists of seven semesters, with tests and thesis papers at the end of each. The school costs roughly 115 dollars per semester. Subjects include astronomy, potions, magical history, botany, fortune telling, etc.
More than one semester will take place on top of the scenic Magdalen Mountain, in a region of Austria known as Carinthia or Kaernten in German.
During their time spent on the mountain, students look for herbs to make potions, learn about runes and other sources of magical power and are given their witch and wizard names.
The co-founder of this school, Sonja Kulmitzer, leads one of many mountain rituals. She has been with the school since 1998.
What is even weirder than the school itself is the fact that zero clear pictures of the headmaster, Grand Wizard Dakaneth exist. No kidding, we searched for hours ;). He used to be an IT guy, but decided that magic is more his calling. He states:
“I’ve learned that everything is explainable, and magic is magic only until it is explained. If you understand the psychological aspects behind it, the magic disappears. A little obvious, but I’ll take it.”
Oh, I almost forgot! When you graduate, you even get a Certificate of Venefica (Witchcraft, in Latin). Well, that sells it; sign me up.
MODERN-DAY BEAUTY TIPS FROM AN 18TH CENTURY EMPRESS
I remember that I have been obsessed with Sisi, ever since I saw a portrait of her at the Hofburg Palace during a Sunday afternoon trip with my parents. I think there is a time that every little girl, growing up in Austria, at one point in her life fantasized about Empress Elizabeth, or Sissi or Sisi, as we dearly call her in Austria.
Stunningly beautiful, with a tiny waist that even 4 pregnancies could not alter, a perfectly oval face, delicate features and sparkling eyes, it is not surprising that she was often compared to Titania, the fairy queen.
“How beautiful she is!” exclaimed the Shah of Persia when he first met her, abandoning all protocol. But then protocol was not something that ever bothered this non-conformist who was the most legendary beauty of her times and left a heritage of skin care and hair care that is indispensable even today. Actually, especially today! And now I want to share with you guys some of the beauty secrets that we whisper about and use in Austria for generations and that come straight from the 18th century, from beautiful Sisi.
SKINCARE SECRETS
Olive Oil Bath: Sisi took a warm olive oil bath every evening to keep her skin soft and smooth – a practise that’s lauded by spas till date. Olive oil contains vitamins A and E, which are intensely nourishing, along with a host of antioxidants that guard against environmental toxins. To make your own olive oil bath, simply pour a cup-full of warm, extra-virgin olive oil in the bathtub and fill with warm water. Or slather your body with warm (not hot) olive oil, leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
Face Mists: Sisi relied heavily on rose or lavender face mists to protect her skin against inflammation and infections. Her favorite was violet vinegar, made from freshly picked violet blossoms, cider vinegar and distilled water: Layer the violet blossoms (or rose petals) into a bellied bottle and douse them with cider vinegar. Shut tightly and allow to infuse for two days. Then filter through a sieve and press out the blossoms with a wooden spoon. Take some distilled water and stir violet powder (or powdered rose petals) into the mixture until smooth. Add it to the distilled water and shake thoroughly together.
Hay Wraps: The Austrian Empress also enjoyed full body wraps made out of hay. Ironically, a number of luxury spas are now offering this as a “brand new and innovative treatment” to that fortifies theimmune system and boosts metabolism!
Egg White Face Mask: A really simple and effective way of toning the complexion, Sisi’s favorite face mask needs 2oz of rose water, 1 oz milk, ½ oz press-pressed grape juice, 2 quintchens crushed frankincense and 2 whipped egg whites. Combine all ingredients, except the egg whites. When everything is well mixed, fold in the egg whites and immediately apply the paste to your face and hands. Go to bed and rinse off in the morning. Sisi believed (and modern-day dermatologists agree) that if you use this mask thrice weekly for a fortnight, you will be closer to a peaches-and-cream complexion.
Honey & Strawberry Face Pack: To keep her complexion soft, Sisi would slather her cheeks with pure honey and crushed strawberries – thereby calling upon the effects of modern fruit acids that cleanse, exfoliate and brighten the skin. And that’s not all: this face pack also reinforces the skin’s resistance to environmental stress and strengthens its immunity.
Rose Cream (my personal favourite!): History says that Sisi never left home without this rosy moisturizer. To prepare, crush 20-25 rosebuds and simmer them in a covered pan filled with 1/8th litre distilled water for 45 minutes. Add 50g lanolin and 20g fresh, unsalted butter to the concoction; then put everything in a high speed blender till it forms a creamy consistency. Keep in the fridge and apply to your face every morning for glowing skin.
AND THE ONES YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP…
Veal Face Mask: Sisi applied slices of raw veal to her face during the night, binding it with a leather mask that kept the meat in constant contact with her skin while sleeping. Gross as this sounds, dermatologists say that it’s ”not half bad”. The high vitamin C content has an anti-inflammatory effect, while the protein element (keratin) acts against skin ageing. Moreover, the meat gives skin a fresh look and neutralises harmful metabolites (free radicals). Lady Gaga, are you listening?
Slug Cream: Again gross but it’s already making a comeback, with celeb proponents swearing by its skin-smoothing benefits. I have even found the original recipe for you: Put ½ kilo lard into water-bath, add 2 quintchen (fifths) marshmallow roots and 70g ground slugs. Let it stand for four hours to cool off. And then hop in! Weird much?
CROWNING GLORY
Sisi’s ankle-length hair was her pride and joy, even though it was so long and heavy that the weight often gave her headaches. She would sit on a low chair and a silk cloth would be placed beneath her hair while it was brushed. Then her hair dresser would comb and style the tresses into elaborate ‘dos. After dressing, braiding and pinning for hours, each one of the fallen strands had to be presented in a silver bowl to the Empress for inspection. This operation would last almost three hours, during which time Sisi kept herself busy by learning languages such as Hungarian and Greek.
Washing her hair was another very time consuming operation, performed every fortnight with a mixture of cognac and egg yolk. Considering the length and volume of her tresses, it’s no wonder that it took the empress an entire day to complete this ritual! Sigh… for such luxury!
19in WAIST
Sisi had a tiny 19-inch waist (gulp!), maintained with extremely rigorous exercise. The Empress was obsessed with gymnastics, which attracted a lot of criticism as women of this era simply did not sweat. She even had a gymnastics room installed at her palace and could often be seen dangling from the rings!
The Austrian empress also took up fencing in her 50s. A fervent horsewoman, she rode every day for hours on end, becoming the world’s best female equestrian at the time. When she could no longer endure hours in the saddle due to gout, Sisi went for very long walks that could last up to 10 hours!
At night, she was heavily massaged and slept with cloths soaked in either violet or cider vinegar to preserve her slim waist, while her neck was wrapped with cloths soaked in Kummerfeld-toned washing water. In the last years of her life, Sisi became even more obsessive, weighing herself up to thrice a day. She began to live on a diet of meat juice, fresh milk and egg whites. Well! Think of it this way – if Sisi had been a Page 3 celeb today, she might have lived off coffee and cocaine. But since this was the 19th century, she survived on the squeezed juices of steak. In her later years, she ate mostly sorbet, which I like to imagine were made with fruit.
However, Sisi did have one indulgence! Despite her strict steak-juice drinking, sorbet-snacking habits, the Empress would wander through to Demel for boxes of candied violets. Today, she’s still immortalized on many boxes in Vienna. And in our hearts. Beautiful, extravagant, sweet and gracious, she was a woman way ahead of her times who spent her life yearning for a measure of happiness but never found it. She would have been happier married to a minor princeling but it was her fate to be the Empress of Austria. Today, the world remembers her as one of history’s most fascinating and beautiful women. Her life story has been the subject of several books, movies (including a hugely popular film trilogy with Romy Schneider) and a long-running musical.
After Cornelia has studied in the U.S. and has also just recently completed a study abroad semester in Seoul, South Korea, she has become truly passionate about the ‘whole thing called study-abroad-experience’.
Studying abroad in a different country, will be one of the most important, eye-opening, rewarding, fun, exciting and AMAZING experiences you will ever make!
As a result, why not think about studying abroad in AMAZING AUSTRIA :)??
After receiving a few inquiries and questions, we decided to post this short article and provide you guys with some links to get more information on how to get started. A good starting point is, of course, always the university/institution you are studying at at the moment. Almost every university in the United States has its own ‘study abroad office’ or ‘study abroad person’ to speak to. So go and get some info so that you can make the best decision for yourself.
And now, here is a list of helpful links. And of course, don’t forget to follow TTMAA because you will find that this website is the best resource for preparing you for your life in Austria.
P.s.: A friend of ours actually has decided to do her entire Masters in Austria! Yay! As a result, we are going to post some info tomorrow on how you can become an international full-time student at an Austrian university, immigration requirements, etc. and why – indeed – you might realize that this small but amazing country might be the perfect fit for you to go study and work towards a degree (aka low-cost compared to the States and a high quality education among many other factors). Stay tuned ;)!
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