Ohhhhh Vienna...

Hey kids, just a quick update from the weekend :) It's been an eventful one for me!

It all started on Thursday when my lovely friend Daniela from KRONEHIT had her birthday. Being Austrian (Yes, I have now adopted this nationality), the only thing to do was start drinking Vodka, Sekt (Champagne) and, the good old favourite, Jägermeister. Fast forward 2 hours, to 1pm, I'm drunk as a skunk and trying frantically to concentrate on the News Article I'm writing about the 'Human Barbie".

And yes, that is a real person. ANYHOO, the article was published online so it all worked out for the best. 

Friday night saw the entirety of the KRONEHIT Team heading to a Karaoke Bar in Schweden Platz. Now, for those who don't know, I LOVE Karaoke...Needless to say, the Austrians loved my 'very British' version of Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone. They also loved my duet with my dear friend Thomas (We sang PULP- Disco 2000). The night was incredible and made me fall even more in love with this incredible city.

So far, the weekend was turning out to be rather delightful. And then it happened.

Chris moved into my hostel room on Saturday at midday. He stank of Alcohol, has badly hurt his arm (which he refused to go to hospital for, he later obliged to my pleas and discovered he had fractured his radius and ulna). Chris is typical mid-life crisis, moved from Australia 15 years ago to pursue a career as a Life Guard (Surely Australia would have been better than the snowy streets of Wien?!). Needless to say, I'm scared of him!

One thing has come out of my pure horror however. I filmed this delightful, albeit slight shaky, video as   I perused the streets of Vienna and thought I'd show you just a few of the lovely sights here, so enjoy it!

 

Doorbells and Sleighbells and Schnitzel with Noodles...

I know what you're thinking, Austria is full of Ski-Bums, Mountains and Lederhosen. Whilst this may be true in part, I think the most incredible thing about Austria is not its architecture or even its incredible culture. Sure, you can go skiing and of course it's bloody beautiful, but what is better than skiing? Ok, almost nothing, BUT, my two favourite parts of skiing  have to be the two greatest events a human can experience; Lunch and Apres Ski.

The food in Austria is absolutely incredible. Fact. If you're a 'vegetarian' do not come here (unless you don't mind eating outside with the cows). Austria's diet is composed of 4 things; Meat, Cheese, Potato and more Meat. For me, this is a god-send. Nothing tastes better than meat, except meat covered in cheese. The Austrians understand this and have crafted their diet around this fact which the rest of the World seems not to know (except the Americans, but they put cheese on everything, their kids love it).

Since being in this 'schönes Land', my diet has been in a worse state than Lindsay Lohan's driving after a night-out. I think it's time to show you some of Austria's best delicacies:

Wiener Schnitzel

You might know it better as 'Escalope Milanese' but don't be fooled. This bad boy is Austrian through and through and is one of the most well-known and well-loved meals in Austria. The word 'Wiener' literally means 'from Vienna' (Think 'Hamburger' - from Hamburg etc.) These incredible plates of meat are made from either Pork, Turkey or, slightly controversially but even more tasty, Veal. A variation on the Schnitzel comes in the 'Cordon Bleu' (pictured). The one pictured was twice the size as it is in the photo when I started to get my chops around it. The 'Cordon Bleu' is made by stuffing the Schnitzel with, you guessed it, cheese and ham. Amazeballs.

Würstl mit Senf und Semmel

I LIVE off this stuff. Seriously, 3 times a day. Frankfurter boiled in salt water gives it that incredible crunch when you bite into it. Served with a side of smooth 'Senf' or mustard and a nice 'Semmel' bread roll. The stuff of dreams,

To improve, add cheese.

Apfel Strudel

'Cream-coloured Ponies and crisp Apple Strudels... '
So, you eaten your own body-weight in dead cow and now, it's time to wash it all down with a delightfully refreshing and delicious 'Kuchen' or, cake. In my opinion, nothing is better for this than Apple Strudel. Cinnamon, Apples, Sultanas and pastry. A match made in heaven!

There you have it ladies and gentlemen, my incredibly healthy diet. Austrian Ski Team here I come!

It's About Time...

Welcome to Vienna. A true jewel in the crown of Europe's reign over all things 'Cultural'. This city has been home to some of the best artists and compsosers that the World has ever seen. Strauss, Bach, Mozart and Beethoven have all spent time here, drawing inspiration from the incredible architecture (Maybe not Beethoven, but I bet his dog had a BLAST). Vienna, or 'Wien' as it's known 'auf Deutsch', has housed some incredible people over it's history and now, it has taken on another recruit, me! I'm gonna take you on a (hopefully) short history of how I managed to end up here.

Considering the incredible weight put upon my year abroad by my University, you would think that I would have been so scared to ensure it went well, that I forgot to eat and alas would end up looking like I lived in a two-bedroom flat with  Susan Boyle's appetite. However, those of you who know me know that worrying about stuff has never been my style (I'm so casj; Adj. short for the word 'Casual')

So, in February 2012, with the rest of Bristol University's prospective Erasmus students shitting themselves and frantically trying to grab any job available, I proceeded to head to Lizard Lounge for the 4th time that week, in order to fetch myself one of their infamous Toffee Vodkas (£1.50 isn't too bad when blind drunkeness is almost certainly guarenteed). 

My office everday in Thailand

As much fun as it is to turn your Liver into Pâté (so continental), I managed to unstick myself from the sweat-encrusted walls of Lounge to head to Thailand for some well-deserved R&R and Scuba-Diving (Ok, maybe not so well-deserved). As one can imagine, I had a blast but had to return to England to sort out my rapidly approaching Erasmus Year!

While spending two months in Bristol, I managed to land myself a killer job at Austria's Hit Music Station: KRONEHIT. So here I am; 3 weeks in and loving life!

KroneHit : Wir sind die meiste Musik