I finally found the Intimissimi store! For those of you that do not know, Intimissimi is basically an Italian Victorias Secret. In fact- VS used to carry Intimissimi products, which is how I came to like their bras, but then VS stopped carrying them and I couldn't find them anywhere!! Finally saw a store when I was in Czech Repulic two years ago- I was ecstatic!! This year I tried to look them up online, but they do not ship to North America. They also don't ship to Iceland or I would've sent it to my family and had them send to me. Anyway, you can imagine my elation when I heard Graz had a store!! One funny thing- when I was in the changing room trying on bras, the store attendant felt no hesitation in opening my curtain while I stand there topless to ask if I had the correct size- welcome to Europe!! Hahah. At least it was a woman!!
After doing a little bit of window shopping, I headed back to the flat to grab a bite to eat. Renee had worked out an arrangement with the owner of the coffee house downstairs so that I could eat there over the next few mornings and Renee would pick up the tab- very nice!! I ordered a chai latte, which I'm being completely honest when I say it was the best chai I've ever had! Already looking forward to one tomorrow!
I also decided to go with the Little Italy bagel- proscuitto and tomato. It was delicious!! I had already ate half before I thought to take a picture!!
As I ate breakfast, I went over some general trends I have seen from my time in Europe.
1. Europeans love to smoke. As nice as the outdoor cafe seating is, I have really taken in a lot of second-hand smoke while eating my meals on this trip- not pleasant!!
2. Many people in Graz travel by bicycle. I'm staying in the heart of downtown, so I understand that many people like to bike, but it seems like more than usual!
3. Europeans love their American music. It is hard to pass by a shop or restaurant and not hear American music. I thought it was so weird in Prague years ago that many people did not speak English, but they loved America music. Someone explained it to me by saying that most people love music for the sound and melody, not necessarily the words. Of course this makes sense!! Years ago I loved a song called "Sunny Came Home", and I told my friend Jamie once that the song made me happy. She laughed and asked if I had ever listened to the words, so I finally did. Come to find out, its a song about a lady who is mad at her husband so she takes the kids and sets the house on fire with him inside. Haha!! Or there is the example of the popular Gagnam Style- needless to say, words (or knowing the language) aren't important when it comes to music.
4. Europeans LOVE their sparkling water. YUCK!!! Tim had told me it is an easy indicative marker when someone orders a still water at a restaurant that they are a foreigner. Call me crazy, I just don't get the sparkling water thing!
Getting back to my day- after breakfast, I took a walk through a park that was close to the flat, and sat on a bench for a while to soak in the sun. It was a gorgeous day in Graz!! I also admired all the people out walking their dogs- it makes me miss my parents dog!!! :(
I made my way back to the flat and found a gated entrance that led up a hill- when I had partially walked up the hill I found a small opening in the side of the hill and decided to check it out. Glad I did!! Come to find out, there was a tunnel that led through the hill and out to the other side. In 1943, 5km were dug out of the hill, with over 20 entrances to act as a shelter for nearly 50,000 people in case of bombings during the war.The main tunnel has a 16% gradient and is 175meters long. It starts in Karmeliterplatz (where I'm staying), and ends in Schloßbergplatz. It was fun to walk through!!
Renee picked me up at the flat and I rode with her and a colleague to a small town about 45minutes outside of Graz. Renee and her coworker had an interpretation job over there and asked if I wanted to ride along. We got to town rather early, so they drove me up a large and winding hill to a town called Kitzeck, which is very well-known in Austria. There are over 20 wineries on this hill, and it has one of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen. I am glad I remembered my phone has a panorama setting!
We drove back to the town where their meeting was, and parted ways so I could go explore. There really wasn't much in town, but I figured a good walk was as good as anything. I did find the house of my dreams during this walk. It was new and BEAUTIFUL and had a large deck off the front, as well as another balcony on the second floor, with more window flower baskets than you could count! I wanted to just grab a book and coffee and sit on the porch! It is a good thing I am not rich, because I would've knocked on the door and offered the people cash for this house!! Sigh... at least I have a picture!!!
Across from the house and down a few hundred feet was this view of the river. I bet you can see this view from the top balcony- another reason this house is perfect!!!
It was already very warm at this point in my walk, so I decided to just head back to the castle (yes, castle), where Renee and her coworker had their meeting. I found some shade under a tree and laid down beneath it. At this point, looking up to the heavens, was the first time I realized there was not a cloud in the sky- and life was for a while- perfect. ♥
We finally left town and headed back to Graz. I has to take a picture of this car below, since I've always found myself examining the cars that are overseas that we don't have in North America. Not sure what brand this is- but like the car! (Note- I stand corrected- these cars ARE in North America- I need to get out more apparently)! Haha.
We headed back to town we dropped off Renee's colleague and headed to the store for some dinner items. Renee let me pick out all kinds of cheese to take home and sample- with a fresh baguette, of course! The cheese was also accompanied with grapes, cashews, macadamea nuts, and olives. Basically- I stuffed myself before dinner!!
Once Heinz and Philipp were home we sat down for dinner- a nice beef stew, and eventually Renee's homemade plum dumplings- soo good!! I literally could not finish the last bite, I was so full!! Philipp played us a few pieces on the piano, and Heinz asked me for help in a song he was writing. His English is very good, but not as good as Renee's. I asked why he wrote all his songs in English, and he said that if anyone was ever to listen to his band, it would have to be in English. We talked about his music inspirations, and I mentioned the Beatles books I had seen on the shelf. I told him this story which made his mouth drop open- for those of you who do not know, my mom worked with Mark David Chapman- the man who shot and killed John Lennon. They worked at the same hospital in Hawaii, and while they weren't friends, she said they would exchange pleasantries, and that he was quiet, but nice (isn't that what they always say about killers)? Hahaha. My mom was 9 months pregnant at the time and on maternity leave, sitting by the pool when she heard the news over the radio. She said she was completely shocked, but it's probanly a good thing she wasn't at work because all the news crews had started swarming the place. Very crazy story!!
Renee invited her older son's friend, Hans, over after dinner to show me around town more. Hans' dad is from Austria, but his mom is originally from Michigan, so his English was very good! We left the house and took the tram to the heart of old town. He took me down paths and alleys I would have never explored on my own! We went to an area called the bermuda triangle- named that because so many people get lost in this area- lots of bars and restaurants, and plenty of outdoor seating- it was awesome! We had a drink and Hans taught me a little about the German language. I sound like an idiot when I try to read it- but he gave me the basics!
Hans walked me back to the flat and I called it a night! A long day, indeed. Today, my goal is to reach the top of the clock tower, and see some more of the city! Until tomorrow, everyone!
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