Op-Expat » Britta http://op-expat.com An Expat's Hilarious Observations About Life Abroad Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:45:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Break Time http://op-expat.com/2011/09/break-time/ http://op-expat.com/2011/09/break-time/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:45:56 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=653 Continue reading →]]> It’s time for me to take a break from my blog. My writing efforts are currently going into a book. How I can be insane enough to write a book even I cannot answer, but there you have it. So if you know any publishers, or have any contacts to a publisher, let me know.

In the meantime, I still see if any of you make comments, so please feel free to continue to share your thoughts. Open dialog is, after all, the purpose of a blog.

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/09/break-time/feed/ 0 Vienna vs. Stockholm http://op-expat.com/2011/07/vienna-vs-stockholm/ http://op-expat.com/2011/07/vienna-vs-stockholm/#comments Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:04:25 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=637 Continue reading →]]> Whenever I travel to another city, I like to post my observations about how the other city compares with Vienna.

I have to admit that I like Stockholm a lot. Though Vienna is a clean city, Stockholm is even cleaner. Both cities are great for walking. Both cities have good public transportation. Both cities have good food.

What Stockholm has that Vienna lacks, however, is a lot of seafood and a lot of beef. I like both so this was a piece of heaven for me. Also the people are really nice in Stockholm. Perky, happy, helpful. Such a nice change to the cranky Viennese. Also shopping is good with stores open on Sundays! A miracle.

Let’s get to the heart of what is really important to me. The ocean. Water is everywhere in Stockholm and I love it. Austria is landlocked and I would have to drive for five hours to get to the ocean. I try to convince myself that I no longer miss the ocean. However after months of not seeing it, then flying into a place like Stockholm, I almost weep with homesickness for the ocean.

However there are two things which Stockholm cannot keep up with concerning Vienna. The coffee there is no good (but for you poor Americans probably still an improvement) and the pastries just aren’t what they should be. Vienna knows its cakes and pastries like no place else.

To sum up Vienna and Stockholm. In Vienna throw a rock and hit a church or a coffeehouse. In Stockholm throw a rock and hit an H&M.

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/07/vienna-vs-stockholm/feed/ 0 Castle and Underground Lake Near Vienna http://op-expat.com/2011/05/castle-and-underground-lake-near-vienna/ http://op-expat.com/2011/05/castle-and-underground-lake-near-vienna/#comments Mon, 30 May 2011 09:07:59 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=634 Continue reading →]]> Bored as usual on a Sunday, my husband and I were flipping through the Austrian guidebook that I purchased to find some entertainment. We were successful. I recommend both places for a Sunday afternoon romp.

Burg Lichtenstein

http://www.burgliechtenstein.eu/de/anfahrt.html

Seegrotte Hinterbrühl

http://www.seegrotte.at/002_englisch/frameset.htm

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/05/castle-and-underground-lake-near-vienna/feed/ 0 Article about Cultural Differences http://op-expat.com/2011/05/article-about-cultural-differences/ http://op-expat.com/2011/05/article-about-cultural-differences/#comments Fri, 27 May 2011 10:30:25 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=630 Continue reading →]]> A good article from BBC about cultural differences between the English and the Germans. American behaviour is fairly similar to that the of the British and the Austrian behaviour is fairly similar to that of the Germans.

If you are Austrian and just read that statement, please do not blast me. =)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13545386

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/05/article-about-cultural-differences/feed/ 0 Where to Hang Out in Vienna in the Summer http://op-expat.com/2011/05/where-to-hang-out-in-vienna-in-the-summer/ http://op-expat.com/2011/05/where-to-hang-out-in-vienna-in-the-summer/#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 13:06:24 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=628 Continue reading →]]> A friend of mine put together an awesome list of places to hang out in Vienna during the summer. Take a look.

1)      At the water – An ocean breeze is a bit hard to come by in Vienna, so the “Alte Donau” will have to do. It is quite beautiful there actually

“Alte Donau”

La Creperie

Zur alten Kaisermühle

Ufertaverne

Fabelhaft

Strandcafe

Straßenbahnerbad

Wake up

2)      Heurige – two of my personal favourites and a bit away from the beaten tourist tracks

Weingut Reisenberg

Steirerstöckl

3)      Donauinsel – Viennas very own “Jersey Shore”

Copa Cagrana

Sunken City

4)      Summer in the City – Ideal for an after work spritzer

Altes AKH

               Stigl Ambulanz

               Salettl

25 hours Hotel

Summerstage (some nice, some not so nice bars & restaurants)

Sand in the city

Bunkerei (Rather “alternative” but very nice location right in the middle of the augarten)

Eis Greissler (no spritzers but bio icecream)

5)      Away from it all – For those with access to a car, some locations outside of Vienna

Mole West

Klosterneuburg Heurige

Kahlenberg

6)      Donaukanal

Strandbar Herman

Adria Beach

Tel Aviv Beach

Badeschiff

7)      My favourite place in the summer

Krapfenwaldbad – Enjoy the view, and I am not (just) talking about the Viennese vineyards…

8)      Open Air Cinemas

Augarten Kino – Perfect for a Picnic

Hauptbibliothek Kino – very urban

Kino unter Sternen

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/05/where-to-hang-out-in-vienna-in-the-summer/feed/ 1 Vienna vs. Budapest http://op-expat.com/2011/04/vienna-vs-budapest/ http://op-expat.com/2011/04/vienna-vs-budapest/#comments Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:46:01 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=624 Continue reading →]]> Whenever I go to other cities in the world, I like to compare them to Vienna. This Easter weekend I spent in Budapest. They say that Budapest is Vienna’s “sister city.” What they don’t say however, is that Budapest is the rundown, poor sister to Vienna.

From the moment my husband and I arrived in Budapest, the city rubbed us the wrong way. We became sullen, cranky and disinterested. We walked around listlessly and looked at this and that without having the slightest excitement woken within us.

Budapest has the same shops and restaurants as Vienna. For example, Vienna has the famous Cafe Central and so does Budapest. Both cities have the Danube flowing through it. Both cities have similar architecture.

Despite the strong similarities between the cities, Budapest is a sorry, rundown version of Vienna. Everywhere we looked something was crumbling, chipping or sagging. When we did see a pretty building it was either a hotel, an embassy, or had a decrepit looking building next to it.

We were also never left alone by the Hungarians trying to hawk something to the tourists. More than once I gave a tight smile and said, “I’ll let you know if I decide” or “Please just give me a moment.” In Vienna, they could care less if you come in or buy something. On one side it’s rude, but at least the Viennese leave you in peace.

Though the food was good in Budapest, somehow it was sold in the most unappetizing way. We went to a really nice restaurant and hemmed and hawwed over the menu. We were trying to decide between tongue salad and head cheese. Finally out of despair we ordered just anything. Lucky for us it turned out and we enjoyed our meal, but somehow the hard decision-making process took the fun out of it.

To be honest, I couldn’t get out of Budapest fast enough. If I never see that city again in my life, I won’t feel bad about it.

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/04/vienna-vs-budapest/feed/ 5 Coffee is Good for You http://op-expat.com/2011/04/coffee-is-good-for-you/ http://op-expat.com/2011/04/coffee-is-good-for-you/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 07:56:45 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=622 Continue reading →]]> Dear Austrians,

Your precious brew is safe! So go to your favorite coffeehouse and throw back a cuppa

http://health.msn.com/healthy-living/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100271111&imageindex=1

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/04/coffee-is-good-for-you/feed/ 0 Austrian Stand-Up Comedian http://op-expat.com/2011/04/austrian-stand-up-comedian/ http://op-expat.com/2011/04/austrian-stand-up-comedian/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:59:32 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=619 Hey, here is a link to an Austrian stand-up comedian who compares Austria vs. America. Funny in sum bits. Pushes too far in others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz7F9Pbt_X0&feature=player_embedded

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/04/austrian-stand-up-comedian/feed/ 0 Good Article – Making Friends http://op-expat.com/2011/03/good-article-making-friends/ http://op-expat.com/2011/03/good-article-making-friends/#comments Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:47:33 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=617 Continue reading →]]> This is a good article on how to make friends when moving to a new city

http://www.prettyyoungprofessional.com/featured/be-my-friend-socializing-in-a-new-city.html

]]> http://op-expat.com/2011/03/good-article-making-friends/feed/ 0 Authentic in Vienna http://op-expat.com/2011/03/authentic-in-vienna/ http://op-expat.com/2011/03/authentic-in-vienna/#comments Sun, 13 Mar 2011 11:15:10 +0000 Britta http://op-expat.com/?p=614 Continue reading →]]> The Austrians are really into “being authentic.” I have to admit, I am struggling to figure this out culturally.

In Los Angeles, it is understandable that at work you present one side of yourself. That is the professional side. The side of you that comes in on time, eats a healthy lunch, works hard and then leaves to go home.

In Los Angeles, we understand that when our co-workers go home, they aren’t the professional selves that they present at work. We appreciate that our co-workers put on a show at work and are professional. We simply do not care how a co-worker is at home as long as it does not affect our work lives. If it does affect our work lives we are cranky about it and wish our co-workers would keep their private lives private.

Austrians seem to want to know everything about their co-workers; who they are on a deeper level. I find this exasperating. I don’t care who you are on a deeper level. Just please be nice. Please work hard. Please leave me alone to do my job the best I can. Then let’s all go home and be who we really are in our private worlds.

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