Trip to Vienna - The Import Food Store

Dobry den! [Good day! Greeting used like "Hello"]

Great Trip Today!

I met 4 other moms at the school and we went to Vienna today.  Not to see any sites - but to go to the Import Food Store. 

The ride over to Austria is quick - only about 30 min + a couple extra to find parking.  Jeannine drove us all and had lived in Vienna 10 years ago, so she knows the ropes.  The group that went was 4 of us with kids in the 8 year old class, and one that is in the Slovak Language class.  There are only 3 of us in the Slovak class and all three were on this trip too because we are also the newbies for this year.

After we found parking (which is different than the rest of Europe I have seen - parking on the sidewalks is a HUGE NO-NO - they are a bit aloof in Vienna), we went to a bagel shop for coffee and food.  Sounds common - but, bagels are not common here.  Brian and I did find a new Bagel/Coffee shop in downtown Bratislava though that we were able to share with the people that have been here longer.  Anyway, they also had a dessert section that listed waffles.  So, I had a waffle.  It was Super!!!  It actually had sugar crystals in the batter (so it was more dessert-y, I guess) and I actually got syrup with it!  Another item that is not common here!  If you find syrup it is REAL maple syrup and like 24 euros.  I had thought about bringing some in my luggage from Costco since we like to have pancakes on the weekend, but figured it was too heavy - Should have done it!!!  I'll be making a list for my visitors to bring extra bags!!!

After my sugar and cappuccino dose, we walked around the corner to Bobby's Food Store.  It is famous & everyone knows about it (and it is physically tiny).  It imports foods from America and the UK.  So, they had things we can't get here.  Of course you have to pay a premium though - but you also aren't paying shipping!  So, the store was tiny, but I did manage to spend 40 euro.  Of course I didn't get much for that - and you all know how I am about a bargain (cheap) - but you also know how I am about hoarding!  So, I'll be making a few special things and spacing them out.  I'm also going to be looking for some alternative recipes to make.  We aren't in bad shape yet, I just knew that I needed to take the opportunity of having a ride there.  And, now I know where we can get Diet Dr. Pepper or A&W if we need a can. 

My Expensive American Food - Not Necessarily Health Food.

It was great to get to know some more moms - and ones that have been here for a bit (and on other European assignments).  Turns out there are more options for the new health care offices - they just cost more because they are private.  But, for us it is totally worth it - they new places speak English, take appointments, are in nice new buildings, etc. - and our insurance will be paying anyway.  The other American expat in Brian's company is also now on the new insurance, so he can help us too.  He's been here forever.  Don't worry - we definitely won't be here like him - he has a Slovak girlfriend and is living here by choice - he also has a PhD from MIT (or somewhere equally nerdy).  And we all know how strange that makes him, don't we Heidi!?!?

Ahoj!  [Bye! - can also be used as Hello! - sounds like a sailor]