Interviews

As part of Alexis' homeschooling, she asked us the following interview questions.  We'll share our answers so you can get a taste of what our Austrian life has been like for the past 5 weeks:

Q:  What do you like best about Vienna?
A:  The styles of the old, fancy buildings; Efficient public transportation; Markets; Coffee; Focus on art, history and music; How clean it is; Feeling safe; Beautiful Christmas decorations; Amusement park; The little restaurants, bars and cafes; All the cute dogs (they're even allowed in restaurants!).

Q:  Is there something you don't like about Vienna?
A:  Grey skies; People don't share the sidewalks very well; Crazy drivers; Smokey restaurants (unanimous on this one!)

Q:  What do you think about the food?
A:  Desserts look like fancy works of art; Roasted chestnuts and wiener schnitzel were good to try but wouldn't want them often; Street hot dogs are excellent; Meat selection at grocery store isn't very good; Restaurant  food is frequently deep fried; Bamboo restaurant has a good Mongolian buffet; Love the pancakes, desserts and Viennese soup; Food is delicious; The food is ok but forgettable; Love the soup.

Q:  How do you like the music?
A:  The classical music is beautiful and suits the city; Love the ballet and opera; The music is really cool, especially the ballet with the music; I like the German music; Fantastic!

Q:  How do you spend your time every day in Vienna?
A:  Shawna:  Monday to Friday at the clinic.  Evenings in our apartment making dinner and playing games.  Weekends sight-seeing and reading books (have read "The Preacher's Daughter", "The Help" and "One Thousand Gifts").  Haven't felt great until the past several days, so have laid low.  Thankful to be more up and about lately.
Linda:  Walking to see the sights, playing Barbies with Alexis, home-schooling, going to the clinic, spending time with family, making pancakes.
Alexis:  Usually spend my time with Daddy or Papa and Grandma, but sometimes go to the clinic with Mommy.  I go swimming, walking, looking at shops and palaces, and do school work.  I liked being in Vienna for my 9th birthday!
Willie:  After breakfast, I go to the clinic with Shawna every second day.  At night, Linda and I go for a really long walk and window shop, then we stop for a drink.  We also have to do grocery shopping.  (Dad also got to celebrate his 60th birthday here!)
Will:  I like to run through Schonbrunn Park.  I also go to the clinic with Shawna and explore with Alexis.

Q:  Do you have a favourite place in Vienna?
A:  The Innere Stadt (city centre) with all the old gothic buildings; The many Christmas markets because I like looking at the crafts; Pool; Amusement park; Palaces; Schonbrunn Park; The Naschtmarkt (1.5km year-round market near our apartment, dates back to the 16th century).

So there you have it.  Although the circumstances that brought us here aren't great, we are really enjoying getting to know a new city, country, culture.  We had a nice day last weekend in the village of Baden and soaked in their mineral pools for a few hours.  This weekend, we get to see more of the countryside as we take the train to Judensburg to spend Christmas with the same family we had lunch with a couple weeks ago.  We are honoured by their invitation and look forward to a change of pace and scenery.

Hopefully your pace isn't too hectic and you are enjoying the lead up to Christmas.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing everyone again early in the New Year.

God Bless,
Will, Shawna, Alexis, Willie and Linda