Richard the Lionheart, meet Venus of Willendorf

I didn’t study literature, so I don’t remember much about Shakespeare. And I don’t really know much history, though now I am feeling rather a lot of regret about that. I do know a thing or two about art history, though. That’s not saying much, though, because when it comes to this particular Venus, every …


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Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein

I would trade my Austrian country life for the messiness of Vienna, any day.

How Now Brown Cow?

There’s a scene in Red River, I think it’s almost at the very end, where there’s a tremendous cattle drive through some Western town. Well, this was nothing like that. For starters, the soundtrack was distinctly non-cowboy music. You can’t play a tuba in the saddle. Furthermore, I was the closest thing to an Indian …


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Cowbell Crazy

File under “Things We’ll Never Know the Answer To.” Do you think the noise of the bell starts to drive the cow a little crazy after a while? Do cows get headaches? Is a cow that’s fed up with her bell likely to give sour milk? I know I’ve certainly had enough of the g*dd*mn …


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Criminal Intent with Guidebook

I didn’t hit send…yet. It occurs to me that petty as these folks are, she really could lose her job. But I share this story with you, NEV readers, in the form of a letter to the Graz Tourism Board. Dear Graz Tourism: I am an American, married to an Austrian. I was in Graz …


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Nerd’s Eye View Tours

We’re coming to the end of our inaugural tour of the Salzkammergut. It’s been a busy week here at the Aigen HQ, but the weather has been spectacular and we’ve had a fine time. The contented travelers are off to Prague tomorrow – we reconvene in Vienna next week. The tour thus far? Aigen local …


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