So long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye! (The sun has gone to bed, and so must I!)

July 21, 2014 at 10:45 pm

It's been a very busy last six weeks, and since it is now the night before a big move, I will have very little time to tell you about it.  The kids finished school, with their last week containing many activities and field trips. Grades are handed out on the last day, and both kids did very well.  Carissa has spent almost every possible moment since then seeing her friends "for the last time!!"

We then spent a week in northern Germany, staying with our friends Frank, Cornelia, and Sven Bohn. They have a lovely home and garden in Kleve, just at the border with the Netherlands.  We picked cherries, took bike rides, visited Sven's school, and enjoyed lots of discussions and meals together.

Craig and Cornelia, with the prayer shawl that
Craig's mom made for her several years ago.

Dinner with the Bohn family:  Frank, Sven and Cornelia

We all loved our day trip into Amsterdam and it is just as you would imagine - bikes, canals, and marijuana abound.  We were able to see many highlights and take a boat tour of the canals to see some other sites.
 

Anne Frank's House

Reminded us of Venice, but you do see cars here.

They were not the captains of this ship.

The following week we hosted the four teenage boys of our Salzburg friends.  They kept very busy and got very little sleep.  But we all had fun.

The first time for pancakes, tacos, and Stove Top stuffing

Paul and Clemens Schrader, Lucas and Niki Daemon

Some of you may know that we are hosting our "Austrian son" for the next six weeks (seen in the top picture above in the tank top).  Paul will fly back with us and spend the time in an English environment.  He's looking forward to Cedar Point, the tractor pull, the Wood County Fair, visiting St. John's Jesuit High School and Bowling Green High School, coming to IL with us to celebrate my parent's 50th anniversary and many other things.  He has not traveled by plane before (except as a baby) and is very excited; hebclaims to not be worried or anxious about anything. (He is a kid with much self-confidence so this is probably true.)   He is a cheerful, outgoing, and energetic kid with many interests.  This is a trial run of sorts to see if he might like to spend a semester with us in another year or two.

We took the boys back to Salzburg and stayed for a farewell weekend.
We taught them to play "Nerts" and it was a big hit.
Lydia is on my left and Eva is sitting with her back to the camera.

I did manage to squeeze in a reception at the home of the US Ambassador.  She is a great lady (and a good fundraiser for Obama - hence the plum appointment).  She lives in a fabulous home with a beautiful yard (if you pay US taxes, pat yourself on the back).  We had a presentation by a famous designer who has a vintage clothing boutique in LA.  I won a free copy of his new book. (You'll have to come to Austria to see it because it certainly is far to heavy and big to bring back.)

Nice expression, Maria

Alexa's backyard
The Ambassador is married and has 3 children

We had a lovely farewell BBQ with the Sauke family, our Vienna angels.  They have been so kind and helpful and we will miss their companionship when we return.

Christof and Anne Sauke supervising the visiting chefs

Since then, it has been a lot of preparation to move, followed by waiting (when you can't really do much but anticipate and fret), and then days of sorting, packing, returning borrowed items, packing, eliminating, etc. I now remember how much work it is to move.  We did start early (and often) and it is now the night before and I don't even think we'll have to stay up all night to finish!  However, there is a large stack of things that won't fit in that last box....

The inside of box number 9

Reading like an Egyptian

Sugar packets from the coffee houses I visited!

WE ARE COMING HOME!!  We are very excited and anticipating many of the conveniences of the USA: being surrounded by English-speakers, root beer, ice cubes, full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine, friends and family, knowing how things work, free banking, casual & convenient conversation, dryer, and many others.  We will miss our lovely adopted home; it is a very special place with so much culture and beautiful scenery.  I think the years will find us back again.

It certainly will see Carissa back.  She has a friend whose mother is a stewardess for Austrian Airlines.  She can have Carissa fly as a 'companion' for a low fee when she is working and she is then accompanied.  She has had many offers from friends to stay with them, so she may have an ideal way to keep up her language. We are assured that she will be missed a lot; she will also miss her friends here a lot.  Even so, she cannot wait to see Kaylee again!  Eleven months is a long time to be separated from your best friend, best sister and soul mate.

The past week has been quite hot, and since few places are air-conditioned, the kids have visited the nearest pool several times.  We took a few hours on Sunday to find a nice spot on the banks of the Danube for a swim.  This is a common thing for the locals, and a nice way to avoid all the tourists in the Inner City.

East side of Vienna - UN building and some modern apartments

Carissa, Craig and Matthew in the Danube
Carissa got freaked out by the large fish who were not shy

A last shot on the U4

I will have to end things now as there are boxes and backpacks and suitcases and children that need further attention.  I will try to post again once we have settled back in BG, this time with our culture-shock impressions.  Even though I am prepared, there are some things you just can't prepare for.

Thanks, faithful readers for joining us on our sabbatical adventure.  We can't wait to see you in person soon.
Maria

P.S.  Special door prizes for anyone who leaves a message below!  I'd love to see who's reading!