Category Archives: Austria
A Chinese in Vienna
During some meeting of some committee of some sub-organization at the United Nations in Vienna, I got to know a young lady from China. Qian was doing an internship as a simultaneous interpreter for Mandarin and English. Simultaneous interpreters are … Continue reading
Strangers in the Park
Hier geht es zur deutschen Fassung dieser Geschichte. I had two days left in Boston before returning to Germany, and I didn’t know anybody in the city. The year was 2009 and, as far as I knew, the internet hadn’t … Continue reading
How to cope with the Heatwave (3 steps)
This is Sisi, my friends’ cat that I am currently watching in Vienna. She is clearly suffering from the heatwave, too. Her advice in this kind of weather: “Don’t move. Sleep as much as possible. And don’t go to work.” … Continue reading
A Walk along the Semmering Railway
At first glance, the landscape in the Vienna Alps looks idyllic. But the expert’s eye realizes immediately that something is missing here: a railroad! Because how are the people supposed to enjoy the picturesque landscape if they can’t get there … Continue reading
Birthday Walk from Vienna to Bratislava
It had been storming and thunderstorming the whole night. That was good, because the air was clear and it was ten degrees cooler than the oppressive July average. Perfect for hiking. On the other hand, there were still dark clouds … Continue reading
“The Dark Valley”, a Western from Austria
Yes, Austria. Not Australia. That cute country with castles and Kaiserschmarrn, waltz and Waltz, Mozart and marzipan? But Austria has winters, too. Tough winters, like in Wyoming. And mountains like in Montana. Valleys like in Yosemite. And reclusive communities deep … Continue reading
Random Thoughts (20)
If you care neither about the deficit, nor about providing public services, it’s actually quite easy to cut taxes. When I saw books by Džon Grišam at the bookshop in Montenegro, I was happy that my name wouldn’t have to be … Continue reading
Vrmac – where you get drunk from hiking
The only disadvantage about Kotor is its location in a fjord, surrounded by steep mountains, which to cross takes the sun a few cumbersome hours every morning while it already warms people and spirits elsewhere in the country, and behind … Continue reading
Random Thoughts (19)
But what will become of James Bond if we don’t tolerate sexual harassment anymore? Trying to cash in on crypto-currencies, I have now invested all my savings in Paypal. I always find it strange when people say “I am writing … Continue reading
