Africa to Austria 🌍✈️

Arriving in Vienna I was so excited as it was my first time in Europe. My hosts picked me up from the airport and we went for lunch before we traveled further to the Attersee where I would be staying for the next 3 weeks. This was also my first trip I have taken without my young son and it was a strange feeling of no responsibility for a short while, not something I am used to as a single parent.

I was in awe of this beautiful place with picturesque scenery that unfolded infront of me. White lime stone mountains that reflect red as the sun hits them next to the cool clear blue water of the lake. Perfectly kept houses with flowers in every window made sure I knew I had stepped into another world to what I am used too.

Europe is much warmer in summer than what I had expected with long days that stretch till 10pm before the sun goes down. Needless to say when I finally returned home it would be with my first European tan! Many of my days I spent relaxing near the water and soaking up the sights and sounds of this new culture.

My hosts had houses in many towns and cities and it gave them the perfect excuse to show me as much as they can for my short stay in Austria.

My trip to Salzburg was highly anticipated because I would get to see the old church built into the mountain. So while the good Dr. and his wife went to enjoy the opera I went to explore. It was definitely the friendliest place I had visited so far and it was not a hour before I was asked to join some locals for drinks and a bite to eat at Carpe Diem restaurant before heading to the church. It's a city that felt very multi cultural and welcoming. My time here was well spent.

I was blessed to be able to visit many beautiful places during my time here but one place really stood out for me, Hallstatt and Dachstein mountain. We made use of the cable cars to go up and down to certain points and walked the rest of the way. Up here it was cool and fresh with snow blanketed on the peaks of the mountain. It felt like I walked from summer into winter the further up we went. The towns view from the mountain reminded me of a toy train set because looked so perfect. We did a cave tour where I got see a glacier inside the cave and I drank some of the melting ancient water. In my mind that was just such a insane thought.
My poor host was rather elderly and it still astonishing that he was able and willing to walk all the way up there to show me the 'Austrians treasures' . There are so many great things about this place but one of the more surprising tourist attractions are the huge ancient shark teeth that can be found on top of this massive mountain from a time when it too was underwater!

The next place that I got to spend some time in was Vienna. I met up with a South African expat that has made a great life for himself in Austria. He introduced me to so many of the restaurant and club owners that welcomed us with open arms and food & drinks on the house. The nightlife was great and I felt like a VIP for the night.
Exploring the streets of this old city was fantastic and more so because I hardly saw any poverty like we do back home.
The buildings no matter how old are well kept and maintained and shows pride in their culture and history.
I also met up with a local Austrian that I had been introduced to on Facebook. Thomas showed me some more of the city and it was surreal walking through Vienna's royal gardens overlooking a real palace. After a meal consisting of sausages and beer we ended up in a video arcade to see who is the better shot of the two of us 😂
I only spent two nights in Vienna but it was was definitely a unforgettable place.

I was shown so many magical places and met so many wonderful people that I wish I could write about everything that I saw and experienced. I returned to South Africa with some wonderful memories of Austria.

One thing that amazed me is being able to walk the streets at night and not feeling like you have to look over your shoulder like we do in Africa. Safety was not a issue.
The sound of running water also gave Austria a special place in my heart. When I think of my visit I always think of all the un polluted rivers and lakes this country is blessed with.
The food in Austria is fantastic and I can see how they live to see their old age with very little milage so to speak.

I felt sad to leave this country behind but I am sure that one day I will be back to explore more of this wonderful place again. The hospitality shown by my hosts showed no bounds and I will forever be grateful that I had this experience. I will also be sporting my gifted leather hauzen pants from now on 😏

This journey has been such an eye opener for me as a introduction in to Europe. It's a completely different lifestyle to Africa and it kind of puts into perspective for me what a first world country is about. Everything works and it works well. Those are the kind of things that I wish for the people of Africa too but getting past the corruption makes that a dream that I doubt I would see in my lifetime.

#schoolofminnows #extremefishingafrica #travel #Austria #nature #food #culture #explore