Meine Klein Welt

Back in Vienna

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After spending a little more than 2 weeks in the US, I’m back in Vienna and back in the thick of things at VCS. I had a great time seeing family and friends even though the weather was equally hot and muggy in Tampa and Philly.

Here are some other highlights from my brief stay in the US:

  • Visited my old pal, the ENIAC, for inspiration
  • Attended a block party in Philly
  • Played with an iPhone – pretty snazzy, but I think I’ll make due with my latest hand-me-down cell phone
  • Fired a .44 Magnum – wow. No way Dirty Harry is firing this thing one-handed. I don’t care how cool Clint Eastwood is.
  • Stood in an airport security line with the 2007 NCAA Strutting Champion – and she had the trophy to prove it. I’m not really sure what a strutting competition looks like, but I think the picture I have in my head is a lot more amusing than the real thing.
  • Watched 2 movies and a couple of sitcoms on the way from Tampa to Washington DC. – fyi that’s usually a 2 hour flight.
  • Crashed at my dad’s apartment in DC after missing my flight to Vienna.

As you can see my time in the US was very exciting.

I’ve just finished my first week of orientation at VCS, and am looking forward to the school year…though I think I wouldn’t mind if I had an extra couple of days…or a week even…to get ready. Though I probably think that every year. School starts this Thursday!

Enjoying a Pisa Pizza in Pisa

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After we’d taken a bunch of pictures we went in search of a restaurant named Pisa Pizza. Get it…Pis-a pizza? Well at least that’s what I was searching for. Sadly, we couldn’t find such a place anywhere nearby and settled for some other pizza place with a leaning tower table decoration.

But honestly, how is there not a pizza joint in Pisa named Pisa Pizza? This should just happen accidentally, right? Isn’t that the greatest name for a pizza place ever? I can’t really be the first person to think of this, right? How is that even possible? I mean how cool would it be to order a Pisa Pizza?…in Pisa!

“Hey there, I’d like a Pisa Pizza?”
“Will that be one Pisa or two Pisa Pizza?”

I think I need a business partner. This would be huge. I mean, what tourist wouldn’t pop in to Pisa Pizza for a slice? I even have this logo design in my head with the leaning tower and a pizza-shaped slice is being served from it. This is money right here, that’s what this is.

For more pics, click here.
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Please Feed the Cats

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feeding cats in italy

Last February in Italy I encountered what might be the most bizarre situation I’ve ever been in:

While hiking between two fishing villages in Cinque Terre, we came across a picnic table. A cat sat watch on the table and tin cans littered the ground. On a nearby tree I noticed sign posted that read, in Italian and English, “Please feed the Cats.” It was then I observed a stash of cat food and some plastic plates. Intrigued, I approached the food and picked up a can.

Immediately I was surrounded by half a dozen meowing cats. Amused, I opened a can and began searching for something to scoop the food out with. I settled on a stick. By now I was joined by Bekah, who also prepared a plate or two of food for the now 15 cats surrounding us with mews and whimpers.

We distributed the food as evenly as possible and watched the cats eat hungrily. Several times I scanned the area, looking for a house or person, or even a camera. Something or someone to explain the purpose of this little cat sanctuary. Nothing else was found other than a cash box firmly attached to the picnic table. Presumably for donations. We left smiling and a bit bewildered at what had just transpired while contented cats meandered back into the woods to await their next meal.

Click here for more pictures of our cat feeding frenzy.

February Break in Italia

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In Austria all schools get a week’s vacation in February for something they like to call Energy Break. Usually I just chill out at home for most of this break, but this year I got a cheap flight to Italy and traveled down to an area called Cinque Terre with 3 other teachers. Cinque Terre is a series of 5 old fishing villages connected by scenic trails and a train if you’re not up to walking.We were traveling during an off-peak time, so there weren’t a lot of people around, and at times it felt like we had the place to ourselves. I suppose the downside to being there off-peak is that most of the locals were on vacation and we had a lot of trouble finding even places to eat.

The scenery was amazing and it was nice to have a break from city life, if only for a few days. I had a great time, though I may hesitate to travel with three women again. 🙂 One thing I do know is I would not make a good Mormon. I mean, seriously. I can’t even keep one woman happy. What would I do with three?

For more photos from the trip click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kleinwelt/sets/72157600277903331/