Pages

11 November 2009

Surviving Austria

Tomorrow at 4 am we leave for Austria. I love to travel. I am usually adventurous and am willing to figure it out as I go along. I often scoff (not out loud, just in my head) at people who aren't willing to take risks. Well, now I know how they feel. Maybe I know too much about all the difficulties one encounters visiting another country. Maybe I have grown accustomed to knowing exactly how convenient or inconvenient little every day things will be. I understand the outlets. I can dry my hair and charge my cell phone. I have internet access. I have finally learned all the British coins. Okay, I need my glasses and a few minutes to sort out some of them. Now, we are leaving the comforts of a fairly settled existence to cross two bodies of water and 3 countries. Why, after dragging my entire family across the ocean, does that scare me so much?

I want to be excited. I have been to many countries in Europe but never Austria. I want to be the enthusiastic tour guide for my kids I usually am. I want to frolic through the hills with Julie Andrews and each and every cheesy remembrance of the Von Trapps. I just don't know if I can muster up what it will take. We have the car, booked both ferries and all the accommodations, so I guess I have no choice.

Traveling with five kids feels like an episode of the Amazing Race- always thinking on your feet, while in constant motion. It takes lots of teamwork. The couples that weren't in sync were dead in the water. I hope Mark and I can get in sync before too long because, in the planning stage, it just wasn't happening .

I don't mean to sound ungrateful but I also want this blog to be a real description of our experience- the ups and downs. I am hoping that all the little things will fall into place, making the trip manageable. I am also hoping I will magically learn German over night because we haven't faced the language barrier yet. With Sam's nut allergy, that makes me nervous. I did manage to translate every nut I could think of into German. Here's a list in case you are brushing up on your German:

haselnuss= hazelnut
walnuss= walnut
pekannuss= pecan
erdnuss- peanut
pinienkern= pine nut
mandel= almond
mutterallergie= nut allergy

Should make for some interesting posts so stay tuned. Not sure about accessing the internet but I will try. If not, auf wiedersehen, until next week!

Dina

1 comment:

  1. Dina, you are absolutely right when say your trip reminds you of the Amazing Race. Dad and I both know you can do anything when you put your mind to it. Remember, "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." Love, MOM

    ReplyDelete