Vienna

Austrian’s call it Wien, and my astounding grip on languages leads me to believe that it means Vienna in English.

My affection was won after I walked past this store combining some of my favourite things;

Bitches shopping for lingerie and coffee, all in one convenient location.

It’s quite small by European standards with a population of only about two million and every one is incredibly friendly. Unfortunately a lot of Vienna was destroyed in World War II but the result is amazing 19^th century architecture blended with new futuristic buildings.

Austria’s speak German and my friends are teaching me words they think will help me get around best.
I feel like I’ve gotten my head around the language. Basically, you take the English word, triple its length, chuck an ‘o’ in front then throw in some ‘s’s and ‘z’s for good measure.

Here is a practical example for those of you playing at home;
‘Oachkatzlscawoaf’ = Squirrel Tail

Although they share the same language, they don’t like Germans. Really don’t like Germans.

I found this fascinating and obviously, I needed to ask as many drunk Austrian’s as I could exactly why. Most didn’t have the slightest clue about how it originated but some offered interesting insight.
My favorite responses were;
“Germans are jealous of Austria because we can make the good skiing,”
and
“Germans have smaller intellect.”

Site seeing here is really fun because I get to do it with my beautiful friend Thomas, who has also graciously opened up his apartment to my Californian friend & I. 

(Can you guess which side of the bed is mine?)

He’s also introduced me to some of his amazing friends too. They politely let me indulge in all my lederhosen wearing fantasies.

Thomas & I visit the stunning grounds of Schönbrunn Castle,

and I get to I loose my shit over seeing some wild squirrels.

The world’s oldest (and probably prettiest) zoo is also located close by. I don’t know where my love of animals stems from but conservation zoos have always been one of my favourite things to do. Further feeding my obsession with finding my spirit animal.

Thomas says he’s happy to have me staying with him and I love that his favourite meal is breakfast so I wake up to sights like this;

On the day we arrived it was their annual street festival which had me drinking outside of their Parliament house from 2pm till 7am and learning the lyrics to, what I can only assume, is their version of ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’

Yeah… Austria was pretty awesome.