Friday, February 10, 2006

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!

4 comments:

meghan said...

That was nice seeing where you are and learning more about your home and surroundings. Once AGAIN we are on the same page! I talked about england today. I agree, it is fun to be seen as exotic!! Have a great day.

Jorth said...

7:45??? How do you get the sleepy headed ones of out of bed in time for that? Crazy!

Marie said...

What a contrast to Sweden on the question of equality of the sexes. It's one of the many reasons that I love living here, even though the winters are too long, the summers are too short and it is too far from Australia!

Laini Taylor said...

Hi Claudia! All interesting stuff -- I'd always be interested in reading more details about your life there whenever you feel like sharing. Having lived in Europe myself as a child (4 years in southern Italy, 2 in Brussels), and traveled there with much love since, I'm always so blown away by the close proximity to other countries. Here in the western US everything is so huge and so far apart. From Portland to visit family in San Francisco is about an 11-hour drive! I hope and dream of having a second home in Italy some day. If only...
Hope you had a great weekend!