So, another great person I got to visit last week was my wonderful college roommate Iva! She's getting her PhD in Canada and b/c they decided to change visa policies for all Czech people TWO days before she left on her summer trip to Europe, she had to pop by the Canadian Embassy. Long story short, we met up at the embassy in Vienna and spent the day together - with her and her really great parents!
During and shortly after my undergrad I got to visit Iva and her family in Brno (totally great city in Czech Rep) and so I feel connected to them. Her parents are super funny, generous and just plain nice people! While we were waiting on her visa paperwork to process (which it successfully did - yea!) we went for some coffee, walked around some of the old city, had ice cream and basically tried to keep from getting too wet. As you'll see it was raining AND a bit chilly (yes, these pictures were really taken in August...even though it looks much more like typical Viennese fall weather). After picking up her visa we went to the Prater (the only place in all of Austria that I'm aware of which has anything close to roller coasters and the like.) We went on this really fun ride. The only one to get wet was Iva: her entire right leg was soaked. But I think she still thought it was worth it!
It was fun to take this day trip to Vienna and get re-connected with my friend Iva! I hope that the next time we see each other will be sooner than in 2 years time!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Visit from Northern Germany!
Last week we had the honor of seeing some very special people for the first time in 10 years! Heidi & Ralph Kretzschmar were my host parents in northern Germany during my exchange year 1999-2000. They are really wonderful people and we've managed to keep in touch all these years (yes, it's true!)
This year's vacation led them to the far corners of Styria, Austria. On their way from Schladming to Vienna, they stopped by Graz for a few hours! It was great to see them again! They were excited to see where I live and how I live. We showed them a bit of Graz and they in turn treated us to some fabulous ice cream!
Hope you enjoy the pics!
:)
This year's vacation led them to the far corners of Styria, Austria. On their way from Schladming to Vienna, they stopped by Graz for a few hours! It was great to see them again! They were excited to see where I live and how I live. We showed them a bit of Graz and they in turn treated us to some fabulous ice cream!
Hope you enjoy the pics!
:)
Trip to Schladming!
Hi there! We've got a few updates. To get the ball rolling, we're posting a slide-show of our recent trip to Schladming! Our wonderful Canadian friend Alicia and her great Austrian fiance invited us to Schladming for a lovely hike!
Hope you enjoy the pictures and maybe you'll want to come and visit for a hike, too!
The Zillis :)
Hope you enjoy the pictures and maybe you'll want to come and visit for a hike, too!
The Zillis :)
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Trip to US - Part 1
Hi guys,
And here we come - a little diashow from our trip to New York and Idaho
And the fotos at picasa, in case you want to download some :)
And here we come - a little diashow from our trip to New York and Idaho
And the fotos at picasa, in case you want to download some :)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
First Day - Central Park
The first day we spent a beautiful time in central park.
Here on top of the belvedere.
Lots of really good calories, packed in a lovely cheeseburger.
Here on top of the belvedere.
This is the view from the belvedere, above the belvedere lake, looking north towards the great lawn.
After that we have been to Redeemers to the 5pm service, which was about the stroy of david, saul and goliath. The paster this evening brought up a really interesting connection between the three of them, making it the topic of the evening - fear.
Then we needed a refreshment - we went to shake shack.
Lots of really good calories, packed in a lovely cheeseburger.
A yummy banana shake :)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
New York, New York....
Hello Everyone!
So last night after about 20 hours of traveling from our flat in Graz, to Vienna, to London...we finally arrived safely in New York!! We were SOO glad to be picked up from the airport, brought to a home where we had our very own beds waiting for us! Not to mention the wonderful hosts we are staying with...thank you, Perreca family!
The plan for today (Saturday) is to have a great NYC breakfast (bagels & cream cheese with coffee!) and just relax by spending time with everyone here. We've already had loads of fun with Addie & Alden....AND their fabulous mother Lisa. :)
Ok, well it's time to head off to the park for some more fun!
More to come later.
So last night after about 20 hours of traveling from our flat in Graz, to Vienna, to London...we finally arrived safely in New York!! We were SOO glad to be picked up from the airport, brought to a home where we had our very own beds waiting for us! Not to mention the wonderful hosts we are staying with...thank you, Perreca family!
The plan for today (Saturday) is to have a great NYC breakfast (bagels & cream cheese with coffee!) and just relax by spending time with everyone here. We've already had loads of fun with Addie & Alden....AND their fabulous mother Lisa. :)
Ok, well it's time to head off to the park for some more fun!
More to come later.
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Maybe you've been wondering what we Zillingers have been up to. Well, you're in the right place to find out.
Now is what I like to think of as the Most Wonderful Time of the Year here in Graz...namely 'Ice Cream Season.' As you walk down any of the major streets downtown, you will see any number of people eating ice cream...children, parents, students, business men...basically anyone with a mouth and €1 at their disposal. There are all types of flavors, anything from your basic stuff to more exotic ones. Our favs tend to be banana, yoghurt, and of course the chocolate at the Gelateria either in the Hans-Sachsgasse or at Luis' Gelateria near Südtirolerplatz.
May 8th we celebrated Tom's Birthday. He was off work that day, but had a physical therapy appointment which allowed me a chance to decorate our apparment with festive balloons and streamers (which were duely left up for well over the next week). We celebrated with a nice breakfast and of course presents. He was very excited about his gifts (as you can tell in the pictures) and thanks for all you who sent b-day greetings, cards and wishes. This was a full day b/c later we had to be at a weekend retreat with our Teenager Group from church. But shortly before that we got the news that my maternal Grandmother had suffered a severe stroke and was lying in the hospital in a so-called comfort room. So needless to say, this day was nothing short of an emotional rollercoster.
This Most Wonderful Time of Year also includes several Catholic Holidays, meaning long weekends, meaning opportunites to travel a bit.
The end of May took us on a short trip outside Austria to Italy. Some friends were going camping and invited us to join them. We were able to get an amazing amount of stuff for 5 people in one car. Our camping spot was fabulous...lots of trees, hedges seperating each site, clean bathrooms, private showers, and - possible the best feature - bug zappers lining the rows of sites! And all this was located 5 minutes from the beach. We got lots of sun, had amazing food (like only Italians can do), and plenty of sleep (thank to our newly purchased air mattresses curtosey of Hofer/Aldi). This was a first Italain beach vacation (and my first time in the Adriatic). All in all we had a wonderful time and are so grateful that our friends invited us to come along!
The beginning of June found us on the complete opposite side of Austria...in Innsbruck!! I hadn't been there since my study abroad year, so I was glad to be back. We were there with our teenagers who participated in a national conference called the Pfingstjugendtreffen, or Pfiju for short. Roughly translated that's the Pentacost Weekend Youth Retreat. That was a weekend full of fun, games, music, sports, sermons, workshops and all sorts of great stuff. I personally enjoyed the fake milking contest in which contestants from each Austrian Province had to compete against each other in milking a plastic-like utter full of water. It was highly entertaining. Some other highlights includd Thomas being on the winning volleyball team, and me visiting a local nursing home where we sang for and talked with some really old and really great Austrians. One man I spoke with was about 93 years old and kept reminding us that the lady sitting a few chairs over from him is not only his neighbor there in the home, but was also a neighbor of his for over 40 years in Innsbruck!
Our most recent weekend excursion was to the neighboring province of Carinthia...or in German Kärnten. They have tons of lakes and lots of camping grounds. Since we are sans car, we had to choose something reachable with the public. We took a bus from Graz to Klagenfurt (Carinthian capital) and then 2 more short bus rides brought us to our campsite, right across from the Wörthersee. Although a bit pricy, we still enjoyed the sun, lake and just the whole idea of camping. That was definitely my first time camping somehwere without a car, but it worked out just fine. We really enjoyed taking this trip with our dear friend Rebecca Honts as we got to spend so much time together.
Other news...I have recently acquired a used bike from a good friend of ours. And by recent, I mean this past week. I have already used it around town and taken 2 bike rides beyond the city limits with friends. It's been so wonderful to bike outside of Graz a bit and start exploring the plethora of available bike paths. I look forward to many more biking excersions to come!
So, to finish up this entry, we are looking forward to our upcoming trip to America. We leave in exactly one week and won't be back until 3 weeks after that. We're looking forward to seeing friends and family and being at my little brother's wedding in July.
Now is what I like to think of as the Most Wonderful Time of the Year here in Graz...namely 'Ice Cream Season.' As you walk down any of the major streets downtown, you will see any number of people eating ice cream...children, parents, students, business men...basically anyone with a mouth and €1 at their disposal. There are all types of flavors, anything from your basic stuff to more exotic ones. Our favs tend to be banana, yoghurt, and of course the chocolate at the Gelateria either in the Hans-Sachsgasse or at Luis' Gelateria near Südtirolerplatz.
May 8th we celebrated Tom's Birthday. He was off work that day, but had a physical therapy appointment which allowed me a chance to decorate our apparment with festive balloons and streamers (which were duely left up for well over the next week). We celebrated with a nice breakfast and of course presents. He was very excited about his gifts (as you can tell in the pictures) and thanks for all you who sent b-day greetings, cards and wishes. This was a full day b/c later we had to be at a weekend retreat with our Teenager Group from church. But shortly before that we got the news that my maternal Grandmother had suffered a severe stroke and was lying in the hospital in a so-called comfort room. So needless to say, this day was nothing short of an emotional rollercoster.
This Most Wonderful Time of Year also includes several Catholic Holidays, meaning long weekends, meaning opportunites to travel a bit.
The end of May took us on a short trip outside Austria to Italy. Some friends were going camping and invited us to join them. We were able to get an amazing amount of stuff for 5 people in one car. Our camping spot was fabulous...lots of trees, hedges seperating each site, clean bathrooms, private showers, and - possible the best feature - bug zappers lining the rows of sites! And all this was located 5 minutes from the beach. We got lots of sun, had amazing food (like only Italians can do), and plenty of sleep (thank to our newly purchased air mattresses curtosey of Hofer/Aldi). This was a first Italain beach vacation (and my first time in the Adriatic). All in all we had a wonderful time and are so grateful that our friends invited us to come along!
The beginning of June found us on the complete opposite side of Austria...in Innsbruck!! I hadn't been there since my study abroad year, so I was glad to be back. We were there with our teenagers who participated in a national conference called the Pfingstjugendtreffen, or Pfiju for short. Roughly translated that's the Pentacost Weekend Youth Retreat. That was a weekend full of fun, games, music, sports, sermons, workshops and all sorts of great stuff. I personally enjoyed the fake milking contest in which contestants from each Austrian Province had to compete against each other in milking a plastic-like utter full of water. It was highly entertaining. Some other highlights includd Thomas being on the winning volleyball team, and me visiting a local nursing home where we sang for and talked with some really old and really great Austrians. One man I spoke with was about 93 years old and kept reminding us that the lady sitting a few chairs over from him is not only his neighbor there in the home, but was also a neighbor of his for over 40 years in Innsbruck!
Our most recent weekend excursion was to the neighboring province of Carinthia...or in German Kärnten. They have tons of lakes and lots of camping grounds. Since we are sans car, we had to choose something reachable with the public. We took a bus from Graz to Klagenfurt (Carinthian capital) and then 2 more short bus rides brought us to our campsite, right across from the Wörthersee. Although a bit pricy, we still enjoyed the sun, lake and just the whole idea of camping. That was definitely my first time camping somehwere without a car, but it worked out just fine. We really enjoyed taking this trip with our dear friend Rebecca Honts as we got to spend so much time together.
Other news...I have recently acquired a used bike from a good friend of ours. And by recent, I mean this past week. I have already used it around town and taken 2 bike rides beyond the city limits with friends. It's been so wonderful to bike outside of Graz a bit and start exploring the plethora of available bike paths. I look forward to many more biking excersions to come!
So, to finish up this entry, we are looking forward to our upcoming trip to America. We leave in exactly one week and won't be back until 3 weeks after that. We're looking forward to seeing friends and family and being at my little brother's wedding in July.
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