Haus Mutter und Vater

"House Mother and Father"

If I haven't explained very well before, I live in the home a couple who is in their sixties who have grandchildren that frequently come, one of them everyday. They are the Greschitz's. While they live in the downstairs, I live in the fully furnished upstairs where there is very nice sized kitchen, living room, bedroom, and balcony-luxuries like a tv, couch, and maybe kingsized bed included! Upon arrival I had everything I needed to cook, clean, sleep-besides food and internet, of course. It's been great! They truly are kind but I always get nervous when I walk around upstairs because the floors creek and they are just right down below-no doors really separating the floors. They pretty much always know when I come and go but I don't mind it so much.

Inge, the wife, is extremely accommodating. She's helpful in every which way. Yesterday she showed me all around the garden and told me I could pick any of the fruit and herbs anytime I'd like. When I arrived here she'd already put a jar of raspberry jam on my kitchen table along with marzipan chocolate and coffee. And if that doesn't show you enough....

Today Inge really made me feel at home...Although it wasn't particularly eventful during most of the day, it turned out very well. For the first half of the it I walked to the center of town, bought some postcards, drank a grosser Brauner (austrian espresso), and then went grocery shopping. Oh how Grocery shopping can be so painful-mainly because you have to walk it back home. My motto here is often based on the label as well-would rather buy a product that's bland or a label that has cow's, mountains, and austrian flags on it? Simply choice, really.

In any event, I'd been back home for a while trying to eat up time before I could start to make some form of a meal this evening. Later as I was finishing my dinner of a boiled potato, red cabbage, and tomatoes (odd, i know. and i don't have any spices yet either) I got a call on the Greschitz's phone from my the teacher friend, Bruni Morak, who welcomed me into her home the first day. So Inge called me down and Bruni invited me to an art showing in town center. This already made me feel better because I then had a full evening!

The best part came when I hung up the phone and returned it to Inge....I turned to her and she asked as she pulled open the oven "moechstest du eine Stueck Apfelstrudel?" Well, proud to say I've been quite watchful about what I've been eating her, but really? Is it even possible to resist Apfel Kuchen straight out of the oven and steaming of hot golden apple sweetness? Mind you, the apples came straight from the garten too. I accepted and still have a piece for tomorrow. I might have to watch out though, this could turn out to be another version of Hansel and Gretl.

Herr Greschitz is just the cutest. He's completely white haired, pink cheeked, round faced, and so jovial! I think he might consider me one of their grandchildren already. Tonight he was extra charming as he opened the door for me when I got home from the art show with Bruni. He wearing just his tiny boxers as we were making full conversation. I just thought to myself, as I was explaining to him how great the Apfel Strudel was since he hadn't had any yet, that this isn't uncomfortable or abnormal at all, right?

okay, liebe Gruesse.