Prater...again

At the Albertina Museum

So long, farewell...

We're heading out to the airport in the early morning but before I emerge in the USA I wanted to give a quick shout out to the people at Figls in Grinzing. OMG. That pretzel alone was worth the 38 tram ride. What a beautiful spot and what a gorgeous area of Vienna! Wishing we went there sooner. Alyssa, Hugh- thank you again for the recommendation. And Alyssa, thank you (I think) for introducing me to that crazy book THE WALL. Upon completion of it, I realize that I would absolutely be worthless if left alone in the wilderness in a hunting lodge with a dog, some stray cats and cows. What would McGruber do? I do have a burning desire to learn how to milk a cow now. Do they offer that sort of thing at the Children's Home?

The students left this morning and after packing my stuff and cleaning up after their messes, I am very nostalgic for this beautiful city already. Very grateful for this opportunity but now I am ready to come home. Since I had the pig knee a second time around, I am not craving BBQ in NC as I thought I would. Strangely, it is the Whole Foods salad bar that calls me. Actually, that's not strange. Pickled cabbage has counted as my solid vegetable for several weeks now...

Evie is a champion travel eater. Yesterday, in Bratislava, we sat down with her at a McDonalds to get her a softserve vanilla icecream. She took a few bites, smiled and then said to my mom and I: "This is a nice dinner!" Yeah... but seriously, I think she gets the joy of eating out. Tonight on our way out of Figls she said "Thanks for dinner, mom". Thank you, Evie... for everything these last five weeks. And thanks to those of you who read this. Can't wait to be home! xo

Pictures to follow!

Some observations, or the "how come..." questions:

...lettuce is so cheap here?
...a beer costs 5x less than a coke?
...so many people smoke?
...the public transportation system is based on the honor code?
...there are beer gardens next to playgrounds.
...there is starbucks here?! Julius Meinl, I am so sorry.
...pork knee tastes so good?
...live dance performances are sold out consistently?

This is a growing list. More later...we're off to the Albertina now! But quickly- my weekend at Impulstanz with Risa Steinberg was so inspiring. I can only hope I'm that wise someday.
Jeffrey - we look forward to seeing you soooooooooon!

body sore

Oh yes...I'm sore. But not from dancing. It's the bed. It has caught up with me...my neck is outta whack. My hips hurt. I wake up and don't feel rested. Wahhhhhhhhh.

Post-show tonight (strobe lights, techno music...ah, make it stop!) in the MQ we hit a pizza stand and I didn't know this but I think I prefer salami on my pizza more than pepperoni.

More important news: I think I shall buy the bag from Turek. And maybe a dress I've been eyeing at Zara.

Evie, Mom, and I hit the Merkur markt big time today...and for the second time in a row, I've gotten these cards in a plastic package at the end of the whole paying/bagging scenario (which is always fraught with issues...oh no, I need one more bag! Oh no, everyone else is such a faster packer than we are! Oh no, I forgot the diapers! Be right back...!) Anyways, these plastic cards...are they coupons, Alyssa? They look like fun silly little flashcards but she gives them out to everyone, whether they have an Evie or not.
Jeffrey-- remind me about cords I need to take home at some point, ok?

Back to reading the Wall. Alyssa, can I find this wall in Grinzing perhaps if I drink too much wine? PEARL! Noooooooooooooooo! Why did you have to go out and roam in the warm weather!? And for god sake, stop using the matches so frivolously.
Which reminds me- Grinzing...dinner at Figl is a must before we go but a reservation.... Do I need one?
Jeffrey...taking mom and Evie to the Vapiano at Mariahilfer for lunch tomorrow...

Here's a random picture of Evie.

christina, evie, yiayia and pooh.

winnie the pooh, nooooooooooo!

Hello again. I have some more pictures of Evie (which is really what you want) and a few more anecdotes to share. First- our Sunday visit to the Greek church in the Schwedenplatz area was slightly late but we lit candles for all of our families and even met the German/Greek priest. We lingered a bit but then got hungry so we looked for Greek food. After meandering a bit, we were treated to a tremendous meal at a Greek restaurant called Retsina. Mom's moussaka was as "good as it gets" (highest possible praise from YiaYia) and my chicken souvlaki and tzaziki was equally strong. Evie loved the bread most of all. We played at a nearby park afterwards where Evie now is simply fearless on whatever equipment she encounters. I have not yet arrived at "fearless" in watching her, but maybe I'll get there soon. Jeffrey - it will be interesting to see how she tackles the Hanes park "big kids" side when we get back.
After the park, we made our way to the Museum Quartier and visited the Museum of Fine Arts. We blitzed through the highly touted coin and jewelry exhibit (gold coins, hmm. Seen em...), spent a little more time at the Egyptian sarcophagi, and then found the gold mine: the Jan Fabre paintings amidst the Vermeer, Titian, and Rubens biblical art section. Jan Fabre, a contemporary choreographer whose work is also showing at Impulstanz, has an exhibit at the Kunst historisches museum too. Talk about impressive. Speaking of impressive- I now mention the Palmenhaus, where we went after for a 3.75 eu cappuccino. (Jeffrey- remember the Palmenhaus? Next to the Schmetteriling haus? We never went last year but wished we had...and upon leaving, I wished I had an occasion to go back there for a beer with you. Someday.)
The new week began with a new schedule at Impulstanz and history here with the students. 8:30am is my history class, then I get to play with Evie and Yiayia until I leave around 1:45 for my 3 hour text and movement class with a former Bostonian now living in Germany, Tony Rizzi. Rizzi danced for William Forsythe for years and years. Interesting and funny dude. Mom and I went to the Naschmarkt today and the Succession Museum. This lovely day almost took a turn for the worst when Evie dropped her winnie the pooh doll down the U-2 tracks when we were getting off the train. Fortunately, we were at the end of the U2, at Karlsplatz, and so the nice driver (who Evie kept calling the police officer) took his grabby tool with the long neck (which Evie called the alligator) and returned Pooh to its rightful (and sobbing owner). We couldn't stop saying Danke Schön..
Evie loved the Klimt mural in the Succession that represents Wagner's interpretation of Beethoven's 9th symphony. Truly...she kept saying "there's the monkey!" and looked at it for longer than I anticipated she would. Our lunch in Naschmarkt was divine- humus and falafel, fresh tuna sandwiches, greek olives, and we devoured this amazing gouda and brie cheeses I bought at a cheese stand. Today I had a thought --what if the Naschmarkt was transported to Winston's dixie classic fair area? OMG.
There are two remaining performances to attend with the students this week: on Monday night we saw Ultima Vez's rendition of Oedipus Rex (WOW) and tomorrow, we'll see Marie Choinard, from Montreal. Ciao. pictures soon.