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04/21/2007 Archived Entry: "Jack and Anita in Graz, Austria"

Jack and I have been in Graz, Austria, a few days now, with a few more to come. Then we'll be in Vienna. It seems likely that Jack will have to stay over here longer and I'll fly back by myself! Jack's company is partnered with a company over here (that's why we are in Graz) and he's doing some work.

(Graz Day 1) Friday Jack went to work and I walked around the old town part of Graz (pedestrian only zone, tons of historical buildings). But first I was on a mission -- to get our laundry done! I walked to the tourist information office and they told me how to find a laundramat, and which bus to take. The lady there was very nice, helping me every step of the way with putting the card in the slot, loading it with money, pressing the right buttons, and so on. There was an internet cafe right next to the laundrywhich pleased me very much, because the promised free WiFi at our hotel wasn't working in the evenings. Since then they moved us to another room on a lower floor, and now all is lovely.

Jack's coworker and her partner took us out to dinner Friday evening in the old town, and we had a blast! Weiner Schnitzel and mushroom soup for Jack, wine soup (local specialty) for the rest of us, spaetzle for me. We finished up with home-flavored schnapps at a hofbrau near the opera house -- cherry, dandelion, and alpine tree.

(Graz Day 2) Saturday we started with a visit to the farmers market for picnic supplies: bread, cheese, and sausages. I'd bought some apples the previous day, looking for a local variety but ending up with Gala! Then we took off for the Österreichische Freilichtmuseum, aka the Austrian Open Air Museum, a collection of historic buildings from the various regions of Austria. But when the Tom-Tom GPS Jack had borrowed didn't know about the small town of Klein Stubing, and we couldn't find the Museum on the map (it was there but we were looking too far away from Graz), we returned to the hotel and got directions from one of the owners. Then we were okay, though I did misread a sign at a roundabout and we ended up on the Autobahn where we didn't want to be.

The Museum was great! A good combination of cultural education and walking around in a natural setting. I did well with the walking though there was a lot of up-and-down. I think we looked at almost every building! There are some panoramas here (not taken by us), but warning, they whirl around at a very fast pace.

Today Jack and I will see more of the sites in the old town.