Spring is in the air! We had cool weather at the beginning of the week but, now, glorious sunshine with soaring temperatures.
Jenny asked in the comment section of a recent post if I regret anything that I brought on our trip. With such limited luggage space (carry ons only), I had to make a lot of decisions.
It’s a bit premature to make a final assessment of my selections (some of my “summer” items haven’t been touched yet), but I can say with absolute certainty I do not regret ANY of my layers.
I wore them all on the plane which did mean I got overheated a few times, but it allowed me to get bulky items to Europe without having to compromise luggage space.
I’m especially glad I brought my “sleeping” bag puffy vest. On particularly cold days, I wear it over my lined raincoat and it makes a HUGE difference. I’ve also worn my hat, headband, and finger gloves on multiple occasions. Every inch of space used to get them here was worth it. I get cold extremely easily (and then stay cold), so having a lot of warm clothing options is key.
So, my first Happy Thing this week is…
WARM LAYERS
HOME-COOKED FOOD
After a week of grocery store salads and restaurants, it has been wonderful to cook meals from scratch. They’ve been simple: pasta, salads, toast, eggs, sandwiches, fruit, veggies, pizza (on Naan-like bread). But yummy.
A WELL-APPOINTED APARTMENT
You never quite know what you’re going to get with an Airbnb, but I’d say this one has matched the listing perfectly. Of course there are tiny things that I would change, but on the whole it has been spectacular. Clean, large and open. It has a washing machine! It has a microwave! It has a coffee maker! It has two bedrooms with doors! It has blackout blinds! We have a fridge for berries and lettuce and yogurt and milk!
PUBLIC TRANSIT
We’ve done well navigating public transit and we’re already feeling very familiar with the tram system in Vienna.
We went ahead and bought month-long passes at a discounted rate so we never have to think about buying individual tickets or dither about walking vs. taking public transit if we want the option.
ALL THE COOL THINGS
Life is still… life. Kids get sick. Kids fight with their siblings. Nights aren’t always restful. I get grumpy and tired and frazzled.
BUT, even if sometimes my experiencing self can feel harried, my remembering self is already pinching herself about the privilege of getting to live through an experience like this.
A HAPPY ENDING…
I wrote all about an unexpected misadventure this week that drove home “the things that go wrong (can) make the best memories.” (It’s a free post over on Patreon.)
A FAVOURITE MUG
I haven’t found a go-to cafe in Vienna, but I have something perhaps even better—a favourite mug for at-home drinks.
There was one specialty mug at the Airbnb and low and behold it’s of the empress Elisabeth (better known as Sisi).
I mean… is that meant to be or what?
Shakespeare & Company + Virtual Blog Gifts
While Indy was convalescing (mostly back to normal, but still feeling a bit weak), Belle and I headed out one some adventures (John was working, so Indy stayed put and listened to audiobooks).
One stop we knew neither home-bound family member would mind missing was a bookstore.
I’ve been to Shakespeare & Co. in Paris, but liked Vienna’s version even more! It was such a cozy bookshop, and I seriously could have browsed for hours. They had such unique versions of classic books. Lovely. And it was tucked away in this little side alley which felt perfectly European.
While I didn’t buy either of these items, here are virtual shout-outs to Engie (who braved her way through Moby Dick) and Nicole (lover of all things Jane Austen). I saw these items and immediately thought of you both.
BONUS HAPPY THINGS
- Puttering around our apartment and tidying things up at night. Wiping down counters, washing dishes, straightening shoes in the entry way. There’s something relaxing and grounding about these tasks (for me) AND they’re on such a small scale relative to the normal scope of maintaining a home!
- e-Sim and affordable data while abroad, most notably for access to Google maps for navigation.
- Conveniently located grocery stores. We have all sorts of grocery store options within easy walking distance. It’s fun to go every day or two to get fresh supplies and see the different brands and options.
- Hot showers. Always and forever a very Happy Thing in my life.
- Watching the Chinese Grand Prix Formula 1 race live! We’re usually asleep because of the time zone in Canada, so being in Europe was perfect. I’m a big fan of the Mercedes Team and was excited to see a teenager (Kimi Antonelli) win his first race—the youngest driver to win in Formula 1.
It’s Friday morning in Vienna and both kids seem fully recovered (we spent the better part of three days at home). So far, John and I have emerged unscathed. The kids have done a bit of school work, I’ve consumed two delicious cups of coffee and written this blog post. John is starting his first work call of the day, so that’s my cue to head off on some adventures with the kids for a while.
Tomorrow we’re planning a day trip to Bratislava; it’s always fun to cross a “new” country off the list. Slovakia here we come!
That’s a wrap on my week. Now it’s your turn.
- Tell me some Happy Things!
- Do you like eating out or having a place to prepare your own food while away from home?
- Has anyone been to Slovakia?
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Those layers were a power move – slightly overheating on the plane is a small price to pay for being properly warm later. You called that one exactly right!
I think you will need to buy a Sissi mug to take home with you!
The first time I heard about Kimi Antonelli was in a Formula 1 documentary on Netflix just last week. The pressure those drivers are under is unreal, and the way Kimi is handling it at that age is impressive!
Kai goes to Vienna and Bratislava every year to visit clients, and I always opt out (long car trips are not my thing). But now I’m curious what you will discover. I can see that you will convince me to tag along with Kai after all!
That looks like such a great apt- how nice that it suits you!
Happy thing:
*a different sister asked me about the random tshirt I got in the nail- she sent it to me! So I will keep it- wearing a gift from soneone is like having a perpetual hug from them
*in a few minutes, I’ll wake up a large portion of thr men/boys in my family so they can go collect the car the same sister is giving us. It’s quite a drive, but a free car in great condition is worth it. She’s such a blessing.
Enjoy your travels this weekend.
I read Moby Dick once and don’t plan to again lol. Whenever I hear Moby Dick I think of the scene in Matilda where the girl says she’s reading it and the dad says ‘Moby what?!
I haven’t been to Slovakia. I got sick this week which is not a happy thing, but I’m happy I could take some time off work and I’m happy that I feel better now! Spring is in the air!
I am SO happy you thought of me when you saw Jane Austen playing cards!!! My girl! Jane!
It’s so funny you mention Slovakia. Rob has been talking about our…well…it’s not our next trip or the one after or the one after that, but another trip in the future? I don’t know, he has so much on the go. Anyway, one of the places is Slovakia. His grandpa came over to Canada from Slovakia at age 15, and didn’t see his family again for over 50 years. Imagine! He was sponsored by a family in SK, and it kind of sounds like it was indentured servitude. Anyway, at some point he’d worked his x number of years, met Rob’s grandma, and the two of them drove in a model T from SK to Kelowna, eventually working to own the vineyard and house that we live in now! What a story, right? Man, life was hard back then. He worked picking grapes and doing agricultural work, and Grandma worked at the laundry in the hospital. This is in the 30s, so IMAGINE.
Anyway, I totally lost the plot there. What were the other questions? Lol. Oh! I know. The thing about picking up and being in a different place IS that life is still life – but what a cool experience you are all getting! I used to say when the boys were very small and we’d come here for vacation, that it was just like being at home, doing everything I always do, but in a less convenient place. That’s kind of a negative take, but that’s what it was like when they were small. So yes, life is still life, but your kids will always remember this incredible experience!
I’m glad you have so many happy things!!! And glad both kids are better (were they both sick??? Yikes!) I love the trip to the bookstore and the “Elisabeth” mug. And I’m loving the photos of Vienna- it was one of my favorite cities in Europe.
Happy Things here- this week my daughter was on spring break so I slept later every day! Tomorrow is my race (!!!) and then I have two days off work. It’s all happy things around here!
I love staying in Airbnbs or apartment or house rentals because it makes me think about my own space differently. What do I find convenient or inconvenient about the way it’s set up. Also, there is so much less stuff, it always feels easier to maintain. Glad your crew is on the mend! Fingers crossed you and John stay healthy.