Many of you have asked where Reichenfels is, or Carinthia. Carinthia (Kärnten in German) is the most southern state of Austria as you can see on the map. We have a 1 hour drive to the Slovanien border, 1 1/2 hours to Italy and 2 1/2 hours to Hungary or Germany. The major cities near here are Graz and Klagenfurt, both an hour away and to our capital city Vienna there´s a 2 1/2 hour drive, so as you can see, it´s quite a central location.The reasons why I love living here are; the location; the fresh air; the fact that it´s very easy to be considered exotic and a little crazy when everyone else who lives here is conservative; our lovely and spacious house; the government policy which allows you to have children and NOT lose one income; the distinct differences from season to season; white christmas.
What I don´t like about living here; emancipation is a foreign word (both men and women are discriminated against...it´s frowned upon when a woman has a career and when a husband is too "hands on" at home); the school day starts too early and is too short (from 7.45am to 1.10pm ) ;the long distance and price to travel from here to Australia; the much too long winters and much too short summers; people don´t speak about their problems much, they would rather complain about the weather and other things that they can´t change.
There were many times when I felt homesick and misunderstood here but I´m glad I held it out, life is good!