… picture taken in Graz, Austria...

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Picnic!

This whole past week we have been blessed with wonderful weather in Kapfenberg! It has been in the 60s everyday and sunny…I was even laying out in the sun a couple of days and got a little color. :)

Earlier in the week, Mike and I packed up a lunch with a blanket and walked to the park in town. We followed a little walking trail along the river on the way. It was a very lovely walk.

While at the park, we put our blanket down next to the river and enjoyed our lunch.  When finished we fed the ducks…and even a couple of swans!



On our walk back we noticed major commotion in the river and stopped to try and figure it out. I got my camera video rolling because we had never seen anything like it! At first we thought they were fighting but then came to the conclusion that there were 2 very excited males after 1 poor female…

I uploaded the video on YouTube, click the link to view:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqKek4ERaiM



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Mike's Birthday!

Last Thursday, March 18, was Mike's 25th birthday!

He had practice during the day, but after, that evening we decided to get a little dressed up and go out to eat for the occasion. He had originally wanted to go to a Chinese Restaurant that another teammate recommended, however when we arrived the place was closed.

So, thinking fast…I remembered passing by a small restaurant that looked neat on the outside. It's name also caught my eye- "The Waldcafe." Luckily this place was open. The server spoke very well English and even brought us to a NON-smoking section!  We were next brought English menus, I ordered the Swiss Schnitzel and Mike ordered a Hawaiian pizza. Both were delicious. The "Swiss Schnitzel" was a grilled chicken piece with ham and cheese on top. It also came with a side of rice and vegetables complete with gravy drizzled atop it all.

At the finale we each ordered mouthwatering desserts. Mike choose a "Hot Raspberry dessert" and I picked an Austrian delicacy, "Apfelstrudel." yummy!
Apfelstrudel
Hot Raspberry dessert
As I mentioned previously, I was intrigued by the name of the place. When our server had a moment, I explained to him that my last name in MedenWALD and that I was interested in possibly buying some glasses. He liked this detail and told me to take the glasses, "No problem."
...So now 2 very lucky Medenwalds will be receiving a glass with "Waldcafe" engraved on it. :)

We were very happy with everything this place had to offer; the service, ambience and authentic Austrian food. We left our server a very nice tip and plan to visit there once more before we leave. Hopefully we can try it out again when Mike's sister and brother-in-law will be visiting us at the end of the month!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Graz, Austria

One of our last major outings, was a day in the town of "Graz". This is the second largest city in Austria and only about 45 minutes away from us.
We started the day by touring the "Old Town" of the city. This area held much history along with a gorgeous design. The pathways were cobblestone.  The buildings had very unique architecture and intricate details.

We made our way to the "Hauptplatz" (Main square).
Mike & I in the center

We then headed towards a "the Burg". After we entered, we crossed the courtyard and then arrived at the "Double Spiral Staircase". This is considered a masterpiece of stone masonry from the end of the Gothic Period.  This was a very unique sight, we climbed to the top…
Mike going up the stairs.
On our way to Glockenspielplatz square, we visited the "Habsburg tomb"/ Mausoleum and took some pictures.

We next reached the square just in time to watch the wooden figures dance! At 11am, 3pm, and 6pm, two windows open and a pair of carved wooden figures, in costume, dance to the sound of the Glockenspiel.

We stayed in the square for a bit to have lunch on the patio. Some of us tried the restaurant's microbrew. And I ordered a salad with a famous Austrian pumpkin seed oil dressing. It was all very enjoyable.

We finished the day by visiting the Schlossberg.
Here are some fun facts about the area; "Over 1,000 years ago the small fort that stood on a rock ledge here gave the city its name. Derived from the Slavic word 'Gradic', Graz means 'little castle'. After 1544, according to plans drawn up Domenico dell'Allio, it was extended into a huge Renaissance fortress, now listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the strongest fortification of all time. Even Napoleon found it impossible to capture at the beginning of the 19th century; it was only in 1809, when he had occupied Vienna and was threatening to destroy the Austrian capital, that Graz surrendered. Almost all of the fortifications were razed to the ground - only the bell tower and clock tower were allowed to remain, ransomed by the citizens of Graz so spared."
Clocktower
Bell Tower
Supposedly there are 4 ways to get to the top, one of them includes a 260 step pathway that crisscrosses down the hill.
Stair path
As you may have assumed, the view and scenery at the top was beautiful…especially since we were able to catch the sunset across the city and far away mountains! Again we took many, many pictures. (More pictures can be viewed on my 'Snapfish' photo album)

Graz, Austria

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Austrian Photography

My friend Kim told me about "Snapfish" which is a website where you can load photos onto. Once uploaded, you can then share, print or make projects with the pictures. I decided to post my "Austria" album on my blog for those of you who want to view more of my pictures. So by clicking the link you should be able to see all of my pictures I have taken while in Austria-since February 13 I have taken 392 photos! After you click the link, you have to sign up with the website to view them.

"I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you."
Click here to view photos

PS. If this works out, I will upload my entire collection soon!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Exploring more of Kapfenberg

By having my friends here, I was able to explore deeper into and around the city with them. They are quite the adventure seekers and I tagged along.

One of the first nights was spent at Mike's home game. It was fun to share that with them because it's a very different atmosphere compared to most American basketball games. We enjoyed good company, food and drinks while there.
Having fun at the basketball game.
Mike & his coach
The rest of the time in Kapfenberg was spent walking all around the city mostly on sidewalks but also taking advantage of some hidden trails. We spent time "downtown" at the mall in various shops. The weather was so nice that the local "Eissalon" (ice cream shop) was also visited very frequently.

One of their last days here we even took a hike up one of the surrounding mountains. Most of you know, I am not your typical "hiker".  I may have complained more than I should have on the way up, however the prize at the top was spectacular! I guess it was worth all of the mud and bugs I endured to get to the top :/
Nicole and I looking over Kapfenberg.

The view on our hike.
Die drei Freunde!
After our afternoon hike, Mike and a teammate joined us while we ventured up another mountain *by car this time* to view the Burg Oberkapfenberg, (which I think translates to the castle of Kapfenberg.)
Again the sites at the top were unbelievably gorgeous...
Burg Ober
Whoa, KIM!

Mike & I at the top of the castle.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Vienna with friends

Back to the blog:)
My friends, Kim and Nicole, just left yesterday and made it safely back to the US!

We were so busy while they were here, our days were packed full from sun up to down. And of course, we all took lots of pictures…probably about 1000 pics between all of us! :) It was so much fun having them here and getting to experience Austria together. I am so thankful they were able to come an enjoy this with me.

As I mentioned previously, we started the vacation in Vienna. The first night we attended a ballet at the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna Opera House). For a standing room ticket the cost was only 4 Euro! The story was of "Don Quixote". Viewing a ballet was the first for all of us and a night we will remember always.

The second day was filled with an adventure to the Schonbrunn Palace. While here we toured the palace as well as it's nearby surroundings, including the extremely large courtyard and  a replica of the Roman Ruins.
Palace in the background.
Replica Ruins

After learning much history about the royal family of Vienna, we next visited the Vienna Zoo. It's supposedly the oldest zoo in the world!

The rest of the afternoon was spent wondering the "Ring Boulevard" seeing many sights and shops. That night we ate a recommended Viennese Restaurant where we all tried "Wiener Schnitzel" for the first time!
Kim & Nicole outside of Karlskirche

On the third day we did a "Red Bus Tour" of the city, saw the St. Stephan's Cathedral, more shopping and attended an Opera in the evening. The Opera was at the same place as the ballet- the Opera was "Aida". We were able to have an English translation as well. It was again, a very memorable experience.
St. Stephan's Cathedral (or Stephansdom)
Inside the Cathedral
The Wiener Staatsoper
Kim & I at the Opera.
Kim sneaked a great picture of the finale.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Friends are visiting!

I am so excited because two of my really good friends from college, Kim Stangl and Nicole Maas, are coming to visit me here in Austria!

They are actually arriving TODAY in Vienna. Mike will be dropping me off there to meet them. We will then spend the next 3 days visiting the city. It's expected to be a great time because I have heard nothing but good things about Vienna. And the weather is beautiful-(50 degrees and sunny all week!)

On Friday, the three of us will take a train back to Kapfenberg. Then they can see how we live in out little town. We also have plans to attend a home basketball game, see the Berg Oberkapfenberg (castle) and visit the second largest city in Austria- "Graz"!

Stay tuned....updates and pictures to come shortly!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

My first Kapfenberg Basketball Game

Last night the Kapfenberg Bulls had a home game that I was able to attend. The gym was nothing spectacular. It was very small and old. Fans are actually only able to sit on one side.
However, there were some nice perks for me while there... Being Mike's girlfriend, I automatically get a seat in VIP. While in VIP, I got free drinks and a free buffet of food at halftime! woohoo!

The teams were fighting for 5th place last night. We put up a good fight, but ending up losing in the end 61:72. It was a fun match to attend. The next home game is already this Thursday.




Mike's stats were 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist.