Joey Joe Joe: Food, Family and Fun! An Awesome Adventure in Austria!

Are you as good as I remember baby,

Get it on, Get it on,

Cause tonight is the night, When 2 become 1.

- 2 become 1, The Spice Girls.

The last time I was in Austria I was seven years old. The Spice Girls' 2 Become 1 was played constantly on the radio and my love affair with the Spice Girls began!

Besides the Spice Girls I have very fond memories of Austria from that time. Eating the chocolate christmas decorations hanging from Oma and Opa's tree, tobogganing with Aunty Karen, happily playing with my cousins despite the fact we spoke different languages and snow fights.

As I borded the plane this time, sixteen years later, I began to feel a little bit nervous. I had not seen my Opa for four years, my cousin, Roman, for nine years and the others since I was last in Austria sixteen years ago! The fact that I couldn't speak German began to sink in and a voice in my head began to scream.

Thank God not only could most of them speak English, they could speak English well! And so from the moment I was picked up I felt instantly comfortable and relaxed!

I was actually surprised at how even though I had not seen them frequently and had not seen most of them for years they still felt like family and I felt so at home with them!

And so the adventure began...

Vienna is a beautiful city. With so many beautiful parks, buildings and sites! Whether driving in the car, walking down the street or simply looking out the window my mouth was open and I was amazed, mesmerised and fascinated.

With my Cousin's son Noah! (My favourite Austrian!)

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Wein Opera House!

Walking got too much for Noah and Yasemin so Roman had to push them around!

Schönbrunn Palace

Roman and I being Franz Josef

We saw the sites, visited beautiful parks, went shopping, experinced Wien history through a time travel adventure, played at the Prater...

At the Prater we also went on the Wiener Riesenrad (a 212ft tall Ferris Wheel) first built in 1897.

It revealed another beautiful view of Wien.

And I went to my first ever football (soccer) match in Wien!

And the food! Could Austrian food be more amazing? I think NOT! Chocolate, meat, dessert, coffee, Everything the BEST!!!! They do it right! Let me share with you some of the wonderfully delicious food I consumed!

WARNING: Napkin will be needed to wipe drool from your mouth, your lunch will no longer be able to satisfy you! PROCEED WITH CAUTION!

Viennese Coffee. The Turks may have left it but they perfected it!

Beautiful schnitzels and salads.

my cousin Roman preparing my germknoedel

My beloved sauerkraut, fried potatoes and wurst!

Milka donut!

Wiener Rostbraten (Steak and Onions)

Ice cream dumpling!

I must admit though, as much as I loved the city and the food it was hanging out with the family I really enjoyed.

Opa and I!

With my cousin Julia and my Aunty Karen

Being able to chill out at night with wine and chocolate at my cousins home or lunches with the family brought me such joy! It is something I have missed so much being away from home.

With my cousin Roman and his wife Yasemin.

And even when they spoke German and I couldn't make out exactly what they were saying, just watching them interact was cool! (Though I was constantly wondering if they were talking about me and was nervous when they laughed. "How silly that boy who is Austrian and can't speak the language". - They assured me this was not the case! And I assured them I would learn some German and speak it very badly the next time I see them!!)