April 2019 Highlights by AWA Office

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IN T ERNATI O N AL

W OME N ' S

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Highlights! APRIL 2019

April 2019/Highlights! PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Whilst I was in hospital, I spent time planning the Behind the Scenes tours for April and May, realising rather late that the Easter holidays effectively remove the second half of April. This month’s calendar, therefore, is half April and half May! Many thanks to all the volunteers who organised their events in time to meet the deadline for Highlights despite May seeming so far away. Being able to post the Highlights halfway through the month has advantages for members but does put pressure on the organisers! I was lucky enough to catch hold of Cecile, Prinzessin von Croy and was able to fix a date for a visit to her amazing Atelier in the Palais Schwarzenberg, and then all the other tours and visits fell into place. AWA members have suddenly realised that they have talents to share and are volunteering, in the next couple of months, to demonstrate their skills: lace-making, the link between health and nutrition, Cypriot cuisine, and, in May, baking cupcakes and Scones. Such a wealth of talent! The talent of the photographer who captured this month’s front cover is, alas, unrecognised as I was sent it ages ago and I have forgotten by whom. Please let me know who you are!! Virginia is also delighted with the offers of articles that are landing in her inbox. She has already started filing copy for the May edition and has a wealth of ideas for other smaller pieces to show off AWA talent. But she is also interested in your ideas: What should be covered in Highlights? Have any stories or photos to contribute? This is, after all, a member magazine, so the members should have a say! AWA is on a roll!! Let’s make it a lengthy one! Happy Easter! I hope that you enjoy the markets and the myriad of other events!

CONTENTS 03 President's Message

MEMBERS

04 Welcome New Members 05 Financially Secure Entrepreneur/ Nathalie Goldstein 06 Listing to Live the Life You Love/ Urte Paulus TOUR TALK

07 Loose Tea at one leaf/ Sheila Hargreaves Niehart Frescoes Revealed/ Sheila Hargreaves NEWS & VIEWS

08 Gerstof Krankenhaus, Farewell/ Sheila Hargreaves Working for Women/ Bev Bachmayer FOOD

09 Asparagus, a Spring Thing/ Suzanne Orrell ACTIVITIES

10 Activities Listing 12 Calendar/ Charity Report 14 Tours, Trips, Social Events Listing EXPLORE

16 Go Bezirk: 9th District, Alsergrund 18 Hungary: Hot Springs, History/ Andrea Ulbrich 21 Malta: Magic in the Mediterranean/ Ida Vickers 22 Reports: AWA Board 23 Make the Most of Vienna

Sheila Hargreaves

Cover photo: A gorgeous scene of an unknown mountain in Spring, taken by an unknown photographer. If you recognize the place or the photographer, please let us know!

HIGHLIGHTS TEAM Editor/Layout Virginia Sheridan/awahighlights@gmail.com Assistant Editor Sheila Hargreaves/sheilahargreaves@a1.net Advertising Manager Nadia Di Paola/ 0678 125 2229/ awahighlightsads@gmail.com Assistant Advertising Manager Ivy Melchor /01 966 2925 awa@awavienna.com Online Design/Member Communication Erin Silangil /01 966 2925 /spindler.silangil@gmail.com Ivy Melchor /01 966 2925 awa@awavienna.com

AWA VIENNA IBAN: AT59 1952 0018 0009 23 Highlights is published by AWA Vienna, on a monthly basis from October to June, and is sent to all members. All inquiries should be addressed to: AWA Vienna Attn: Highlights Editor, Singerstrasse 4/11 1010 Vienna All rights to the printed material in Highlights, including advertising and the cover painting/photo, revert to the contributors following the publication. Highlights is printed on chlorine-free paper. ZVR-Zahl 327744193 Eigentümer, Herausgeber und Verleger: AWA Vienna, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Wien. Für den Inhalt verantwortlich: Offenlegung/Herausgeber: Sheila Hargreaves, Krautgartengasse 3A/2/3, Himberg bei Wien Diese Zeitschrift dient dem Zweck, Freunde der American Women’s Association über Aktivitäten der Organisation zu informieren.

MEMBERS

Welcome New Members

MILA CASEY

ALICE SMITH-RODLAUER

Mila is a physician and surgeon (since 1991) who practiced medicine for 12 years in Russia before her passion for nutrition and a healthy lifestyle (and many international moves) lead her to become a certified nutrition consultant. Mila is married to an American, who works at the World Bank. Their two sons are currently studying at US universities while Mila's beloved cat, Ushka, resides here in Vienna after also living with the family in the US and Turkey. In addition to travelling with her husband, Mila enjoys hiking in the Vienna Woods, yoga, connecting with others in the expat community, and cooking healthy meals.

Alice signed up for AWA almost immediately after arriving in Vienna and has already attended numerous tours and events! A citizen of both Chile and Italy, she has lived in the US (35 years), the Philippines (1 year) and Poland (4 years). Retired from her position at the IMF in Washington, DC, where she worked for 30 years, Alice is now looking forward to travelling, learning languages and visiting “all the Vienna museums and sites in the next two years.” She loves meeting with friends and being outdoors (especially if it’s warm), and is enjoying the delicious pastries and efficient transportation of her newest city of residence.

ALIX MARTIN-TRONDL

JOANNA LOIZOU

A native of Los Angeles, actress/TV presenter Alix honed her craft in the quiet but mighty theater district of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A founding member of Vienna’s All-Female Englishlanguage theatre company, Thiasus Productions, she was seen here on stage in December in their production of The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. A professional voice-over artist, Alix has lent her vocals to video games, corporate training films and sundry announcements, while also managing to find time to be a brand ambassador on QVC France and Italy for fashion brand Nina Leonard. Alix moved to Vienna “for love,” so plans to stay indefinitely, though with all the international travel required for her work, her feet are barely on the ground here.

Joanna is a Professional Pastry Chef and the founder of JoJo’s Cakes & Bakes, a cake, cupcake and traybake business specialising in English/ international cakes located in the Penzing district. With a background in Professional Culinary Arts, Joanna previously worked as pastry chef at the Albertina Museum Do&Co restaurant and as Chef de Partie at Jamie’s Italian Vienna before creating her current “dream company.” She hails from Cyprus (“the beautiful Mediterranean island of sun!”) and speaks various fluencies of Greek, English, French, Italian and German. When not in a kitchen, Joanna can be found travelling, kickboxing and studying nutrition. Fun fact: She has attended several years of classes in Country Western and Latin dancing. Joanna lives with her husband in the 14th district.

MARGARITA POPOVA Margarita was born in the northwest of Russia, in Komi Republic – “a land of vast taiga forests and long, freezing winters.” She reports that Vienna is much warmer than her hometown and that she loves the “very long and blossoming” summers here. As a student, she lived in Finland and Sweden, where she studied IT and Forestry. But when she couldn’t find a job in her degree area in Russia, she starting working at a medical company, which kindled a passion for health treatments and innovations in medicine. At the moment, her main focus is her famiily and German classes, though she is keen to socialize with fellow expats and attend the Opera soon. Welcome also to these new members: Hermine Wendenburg, Joyce Natzmer

Financially Secure Entrepreneur

MEMBERS

B Y N AT H A L I E G O L D S T E I N

I came to Vienna because I fell in love with an Austrian. But during the moving process, I really struggled with the idea of “giving up my career for love.” When I asked my mother for advice, she told me something I’ll never forget: “You can make money anywhere, but you can’t fall in love anywhere.” With that I packed my bags and more importantly made three promises to myself to ensure my personal and professional success in my new home: 1. Further my education, 2. Network, and 3. Take control of my personal finances. I eventually fulfilled all three promises by creating a startup company inspired by my own situation: As a new expat, I hired a consultant from one of the top tax firms, who charged $500+ just to prepare the paperwork. The process was exhausting: I was sending forms back

and forth and paying interest. And they filed my address as Australia, instead of Austria! Frustrated, I drew on my background

in technology and finance and partnered with two senior engineering managers from my former company, Cisco, to create MyExpatTaxes — expat tax software that helps U.S. expats complete their taxes easily and inexpensively in less than 30 minutes. As a startup founder in Vienna - particularly as a female - the journey was both empowering and frightening. I learned a lot about how to put myself out there, how to build my own startup, and how take control of my own finances. One piece of advice I have for others embarking on a similar journey is to know how much you’re worth and know how to demand it. Study and research other inspirational leaders to become who you need to be, and how to get to where you want to go. Taking someone you admire out for coffee to ask them for guidance can work wonders. AWA is a great place to start looking for mentors, asking for advice and building community so that you can create the life you want in Vienna.

Natalie Goldstein flanked by her business parters.

Filing taxes in the US? Top Tips... It’s rare to owe taxes. If you are paying income taxes in Austria, you will not owe additional US tax most of the time. So why file? If you are a US citizen married to a nonU.S. citizen, then by default your filing status is probably Married Filing Separately, which means that if you earn more than $5.00 (yes, five US dollars), you are legally required to file your U.S. income taxes from abroad. The good news is that If you have some earned income and have children under 17 with a valid U.S. social security number, you could end up receiving up to $1,400 per child per year from the IRS - even if you don’t pay any U.S. taxes. It’s never too late to file. Missed filing for a few years? You can use the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedure, which means you would only need to file for three years of back tax returns and the rest is forgiven. If you were due the child tax credits mentioned above, you can still claim them - including interest! - for each of the three back years. Expat filing deadline is June 15. MyExpatTaxes can help you do that quickly and efficiently, right up til the last moment!

Converting to an Austrian Driving Licence Margaret and Ian Willers offer advice for converting to an Austria driving license.

1. Buy an annual membership to ÖAMTC (www.oeamtc.at), the “mobility club” that provides emergency roadside service, road trip tips and more - as well as free translation of your non-Austrian licence - a requirement in the process. ÖAMTC also provided the necessary forms. 2. Take to the Verkehrsamt (the Traffic Office, which also issues licences) not only the Driving Licence originals, but also copies of the translation, passport photos and Meldezettel. Important: Keep a copy of your original Driving Licence as they will keep the original. 3. At the Verkehrsamt you’ll complete another form and then pay the fee. That may sound like a lot of work, but well worth it since the Austrian Licence is valid for 15 years! For more information, check out this link: https://www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/content/139/Seite.1390000. html

MEMBERS

Listing to Live the Life You Love

B Y U R T E PA U L U S

may have noticed the "Bucket List" event 6 You posted on the monthly AWA calendar and in the

events listings and wondered, “What in the world is a 'bucket list'?" I'll start with a definition:

Bucket list: A 21st century slang term for “a list of things to do before you die.” Derived from the 17th century phrase "kicked the bucket," meaning “to die.” "Bucket Listers" (as we like to call ourselves) have been known to skydive, ride elephants, and so much more! But first we make

lists… of our dreams, of our goals, of future activities. We seek to make our lives

more exciting and more significant with a better meaning and purpose for ourselves, to live our lives with more awareness, more intensity and, as a result, to be more content, feel more motivated and for sure be happier. I have been creating bucket lists since I was a teenager. Interestingly, one of my list items was to become an Austrian and to live in Austria! After I joined the AWA, I told another member, Leslie Hoff, about my bucket list practice and she decided to found an AWA group around the idea in October 2018. The key to accomplishing these goals is to make them concrete. So, we write down all that we ever wanted to do, have dreamed of and/or haven't had the opportunity to do it until now. Our lists include small things like eating an ice cream with at least 10 toppings, bigger things like bungee jumping from a bridge, and even things that are a perhaps a tiny little bit unrealistic like walking on the moon. Often we inspire each other with our lists, reminding ourselves of forgotten desires. Below: Irene Schlegelmilch all ready to Zip-Line for the first time - one of her "bucket list" items.

Above: Urte Paulus conquered one of her fears and checked an item off her "bucket list" by sky diving..

Getting started can be the most difficult part. To make it easier, we ask ourselves questions about our childhood dreams, what we would do if we had €5 million,

what classes we would like to take, etc. Then we divide the bucket list into categories, such as Family, Sports & Activities, Career & Finances, Education, Personal Growth, Creativity,Travel... It is very important for us to write down everything no matter the degree of feasibility or thoughts of age, health condition, available time, possibility or money. In our monthly meetings, we share our lists hopefully always incomplete as we keep adding to them. We share what we’ve ticked off since the previous gathering, give advice, share our own experiences and motivate others to make their items come true. Last year I was motivated to dance the Hula in Hawaii and swim with sea turtles, and this year I am hoping to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda and ride a penny farthing! Note sure yet whether I really want to pursue my idea of meeting a Great White shark! If we find there is one item on several lists, we try to tackle it together. For example, several members wanted to try Stand-Up Paddling (SUV) so we made a group excursion out to the Old Danube and had a wonderful time! Why not put this at the top of your list: Join the AWA Bucket List group on Tuesday, 30 April at 17:00 in the AWA Clubhouse. And maybe this time next year you will be writing your own story of a dream fulfilled!

Loose Tea at one leaf B Y S H E I L A H A R G R E AV E S

The Western practice of adding to tea leaves boiling water, which apparently stresses the tea, is a far cry from a Japanese tea ceremony, in which the tea is weighed, and water added at different temperatures for different lengths of time with successive steeping changing the flavour. This is one of the many tips we learned from the charming and knowledgable Wayu, the owner of the new ‘loose tea’ shop one leaf tea. We also learned how to reduce the temperature of boiling water for green tea by pouring it into porcelain bowls, each time reducing the temperature by 10 degrees. Our first taste was of bright green Sencha tea, high in polyphenols and Vitamin C and therefore healthy, picked from new buds in the Spring. Steeped in warm water, it had a thin grassy taste. The second, hotter steeping resulted in a stronger, more pleasant taste and a bite of Mooncake made it even more so! By the

TOUR TALK third steeping we could taste the coconut on the coated almonds. Our second teas were a contrasting pair, Genmaicha, a green tea with roasted rice, quite a sweet taste, and Hojicha, a brown tea roasted with tea stems over charcoal, two very different odours and tastes. Our small tasting group enjoyed the enthusiastic yet relaxing lesson. Looking forward to the next tasting of Green China! teas! Teresa and Lisa at one leaf Tea Lounge, Fluchtgasse 2, 1090

Niedhart Frescoes Revealed After fetching the Lady of the Manor to see it, I have lived in Vienna for years and had no idea what was left under the this existed! hat was no violet but rather a steaming pile of This amazing, but small, museum is in excrement! “Summer” Tuchlauben, the area for cloth merchants in depicts another dancing the medieval times, which once had rounded group, with a woman archways (Lauben, hence the street name) in a in a white dress, hair colonnade along the street leading to the Hoher uncovered (a virgin Markt. In 1407, a wealthy merchant created we were told as wives a ballroom with fresco-covered walls, which covered their hair then). “Winter” is the best was covered by a thick layer of plaster by later preserved of frescoes, with two women throwing owners. In 1979, the frescoes were re-discovered, snowballs and a very clear scene of a (possibly having survived behind the plaster for almost six unwanted) groping incident that would certainly centuries! have been part of the current #metoo movement. The four major fragments of the frescoes are Interesting to see that the fresco includes a based on the work of a lyric poet, Neidhart von map of Vienna from that time that clearly labels Reuenthal who, in about 1200 AD, sang courtly a Jewish Ghetto which stretched between the love songs about the seasons. “Spring” depicts Graben and Tuchlauben, and from Am Hof to villagers dancing after surviving a hard winter Passauer Hof. Also the University area then and also the legend of a young peasant boy stretched from Stubentor to Fleischmarkt. A who covered the first violet of spring with his hat. colorful tour for all. B Y S H E I L A H A R G R E AV E S

Paul Mocko does it all!

Wanted:

Electrical Work / Telephone & Internet Support Satellite dishes & SKY TV/ Installation Wooden Deck Construction/ Removals Furniture Assembly & Disassembly Painting / Patching / Hanging Curtains & Pictures Appliance Installation & Repair Works Days & Evenings / Speaks English, German & Polish 0676 950 5789 / s.mocko@gmx.at www.homeservice.prv.pl

Your Stories, Photos and Ideas! Looking in particular for: news from AWA groups/outings, travel reviews, Vienna tips, restaurant reviews, potential cover photos... Send inquiries, ideas and submissions to Virginia at awahighlights@gmail.com

- Helping AWA members for over a decade -

Thank You!

NEWS & VIEWS

Gerstof Krankenhaus, A Farewell B Y S H E I L A H A R G R E AV E S

Orthopaedisches Krankenhaus, Gersthof closes on June 4, 2019 when the staff are transferring to the new hospital, Wien Nord. (Mary Wagener is writing an article for May Highlight on the background to this controversial new hospital.) As Gersthof is currently an internationally renowned training ground for orthopaedic surgery, it will be interesting to see how things change.

snored and I slept very badly. I did, however, refuse to have any bleeping machines in the room, had to get very firm! As luck would have it, one of the new philosophies is in the use of epidurals, ‘Kreuzstich’, for anaesthesia. What an amazing difference in recovery time compared to full anaesthesia.

The quality of nursing care is excellent, and each floor has its own team, so the patient gets to know their nurses and vice

versa. I was amazed on my arrival that one nurse recognised me and said, ‘I remember you, you were here a couple of years ago!’ She was on her last day before taking her pension. That is how effective the team knowledge is!

My first knee replacement, in February 2016, for a joint crippled and deformed after 20 years of pain, took place in Gersthof simply because the surgeon who was recommended to me, Dr. Schmidt, does his WGKK operations there. Never having been in hospital in Austria, I had no idea what to expect, so I went ill prepared for how dreadful the food was, (and that was when I was a meat eater) and what the routines were like. I was very lucky my three roommates did not snore and, apart from the occasional, but repetitive bleeping machine, I slept well. But I was so hungry, I begged friends to visit me with food parcels! Imagine my surprise this February to be directed to the same room, just the bed opposite, very strange! I had learnt enough to be better prepared for this latest visit but, as regards food, there is no pescatarian option. Meat or No meat! I was so glad that I took supplies with me. What was different was that every one of my roommates

Two of my favourites this time were two young Filipino male nurses, both married with children, whom they adore. Neither is keen to transfer to the new Wien Nord as they like the cosy team approach to the patients here. Also the extra travelling will add to their 12-hour shifts, handover being at 7am and 7pm every day! I am pretty sure that the lovely atmosphere and team spirit in Gersthof will not survive in the new environment. Larger hospitals have not time for this! Sad! I feel very fortunate to have had the benefit of this quality care twice, if one can say being in the hospital is fortunate. The original building is in the Otto Wagner style with an ornate foyer, stained glass windows and wonderfully open feeling to the main staircase. Originally built as a maternity hospital, it was converted to Orthopaedics in 1975, and is likely to be retained by Stadt Wien for apartments upon closure. But if that's the case, then they will have to improve the bus service to the area!

Working for Women B Y B E V B A C H M AY E R

I have a strong desire to positively impact the lives of women and children around the world, and have worked, in particular, toward improving access to computer systems for women and children. But I have always struggled with the question of how best to do this. One of the lesser known responsibilities of the UN is raising the status of women across the world. The United Nations has set up a Commission on the Status of Women to promote equality and the advancement of women, and part of all UN activities worldwide is monitoring progress on this key issue.This year the theme is: Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.

At Commission meetings, both UN Member States and Non-Governmental Organizations / (NGOs) review the current status of women and girls worldwide and make recommendations for improvements.

Every AWA Vienna member has an opportunity to get involved in this hugely challenging task, because we all have

automatic membership in FAWKO, an NGO of the United Nations. FAWCO members can attend the NGO Committees on the Status of Women in New York and Vienna. AWA member Laurie Richardson is FAWCO’s UN Liaison, and manages a team of 14 UN Representatives. She would be happy to tell you more about the program! For more information, send an email to awafawcorep@gmail.com.

Asparagus, a Spring Thing

FOOD

BY SUZANNE ORRELL

Along with newly bloomed tulips, blue skies and longer days, a sure sign of spring is when asparagus starts to appear at the markets and grocery stores. When I moved to Vienna exactly a year ago, it was such a treat to see asparagus topping the list of fresh vegetables in all the restaurants. White, creamy Spargelcremsuppe was being served in every bistro and cafe.

In my opinion, there is nothing better for brunch than asparagus topped with perfectly poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Is there a Bloody Mary nearby?

Asparagus appeared in an Egyptian frieze dating back to 3,000 BCE, and was also cultivated by the Greeks and Romans who named the vegetable asparug, the Persian word for “shoot or sprout.” 16th century English peasants called the plant sparrow grass, but from the 19th century English speakers have called it asparagus. Prized for its earthy flavor, asparagus is low in calories, high in fiber and is a nutritional powerhouse packing a multivitamin punch with B6, C, E, and K. It is also a source of calcium, zinc, potassium and folic acid. White asparagus is more popular in Europe than the green asparagus found in the United States, however, they are actually the same plant. White asparagus is grown using a technique called “earthing up”: When the plant begins to sprout it is covered in soil to prevent it from receiving sunlight. Without sunlight photosynthesis cannot occur and the asparagus remains white. Asparagus makes a great addition to quiches and frittatas, is the perfect accompaniment to fish, and makes a lovely appetizer wrapped up in puff pastry dough. Perhaps the simplest way to enjoy asparagus is to give it a quick steam and serve

ASPARAGUS PESTO* -500g green asparagus, ends trimmed not peeled, stalks cut into 2 in or 5 cm segments -1 large clove garlic, peeled -20g pignoli nuts -25g shredded Parmesan* -60g olive oil -Juice of 1/2 lemon 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add trimmed asparagus and cook until it is just tender (about 8-10 minutes). 2. Drain well and reserve about a cup (250 ml) of the cooking water. 3. Place drained asparagus into a food processor. Add pignoli nuts, garlic clove, Parmesan and 3-4 Tablespoons of the reserved water.

it immediately with butter, a dash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of flaky salt. White asparagus needs to have some of its peel removed before cooking. Any good potato peeler can do the job. Green asparagus typically needs to be trimmed of the tougher more woody ends in addition to removing some of the peel before cooking. In the unlikely event that you don’t eat your asparagus the minute you get it home, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Simply place it in a wide-mouthed jar filled about a third of the way with cold water and Voilà! Fresh, lovely asparagus, a gorgeous ingredient around which to build your meal. If you’re looking for a little more inspiration during Spargelzeit try the recipe below. It is influenced by my love of pesto. You can make pesto, Italian for “paste”, out of just about anything. Why not make some using Spring’s favorite vegetable? It’s a delicious topping for roasted chicken or fish, pasta or steamed vegetables. Dollop it onto a Rösti or spread it onto crostini. However you choose to prepare asparagus, this is the season to enjoy it. 4. Process mixture. 5. Add olive oil and process again. 6. Scrape down sides of food processor, add lemon juice and process again. Taste and correct for salt and lemon. If you want thinner pesto, you can add more reserved water and continue to process until desired consistency is reached. *For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan and use nutritional yeast instead.

Weekly/Monthly Activities

SOCIAL CLUBHOUSE ACTIVITIES

10 Languages

ITALIAN CONVERSATION Mondays, 8 and 29 April at 13:30 Nadia Di Paola / 0678 1252229 FLUENT SPANISH CONVERSATION Mondays, 8 and 29 April, 6 May at 12:30 Teresa Benet / ftmirella@yahoo.com

BOARD GAMES Thursdays at 10:00. Words, Scrabble and numbers for fun. AWA BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Mondays from 15:00 -16:30 with Stephanie Barrett on guitar. SINGING GROUP Fridays (except 10 April) 10:30-12:00 Sing with the AWA choir, led and accompanied by Sandra Schweighofer on her piano! Lidice Pollan lidice.pollan@gmail.com/0699/1924-7478

GERMAN FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS Tuesdays at 10:30 by arrangement only with Monika Sautner, OFFSITE ACTIVITIES minimum two members

Languages

ADVANCED BEGINNERS’ GERMAN CONVERSATION Tuesdays at 10:30 with Mona/mona.angel.nilsson@gmail.com FLUENT GERMAN CONVERSATION (Below: Bridget, Caroline, Mona, Francesca, Jane, Bahar, Alice

Weekly, Wednesdays, after Weekly Cafe Sluka Coffee. During lunch in different local restaurants.

Reading & Study

GERMAN CONVERSATION A1+ Tuesdays at 12:00 / 01 876 2041/ andrea.s.melchiorre@t-online.de

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP Monthly. Tuesday, 16 April at 13:00 We will discuss A Bend in the River by the 2001 Nobel Prize Winner V.S. Naipaul. The book is set in a recently independent African nation. Naipaul spent time in Kenya and Uganda as a young man and saw the strains of decolonization firsthand. We next meet on 7 May to discuss Becoming Michelle Obama. All are welcome! Mary Wagener mary.l.wagener@gmail.com

FLUENT FRENCH CONVERSATION Wednesdays at 11:30 with Françoise Delannoy or Antonia Zane

BIBLE STUDY Thursdays from 10:00-12:00 with Sandy Shaffer: “Genesis for Today” /02243 287 01 / sshaffer@entrust4.org

ENGLISH CONVERSATION FOR LEARNERS Thursdays at 13:00 with Lizzie Haszczyn

Health & Sport

Health/Exercise

YOGA WITH IVY Thursdays at 15:00 to 16:00 Maximum 6 members with Yoga mats. awa@awavienna.com FALUN GONG Wednesdays from 14:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 Nayiri Asvazadurian/ 0650 610 4545 n.asvazadurian@gmail.com

Games & Music AMERICAN MAHJONG Tuesdays at 13:00 CANASTA Wednesdays at 13:00

(Below: Jane, Lana, Urte, Jill, Christine)

SOCIAL TENNIS Weekly, times by arrangement. Reservation required to guarantee the time and court. Contact Urte Paulus: urte. paulus@gmx.at; 0676 676 58 29, to be added to the tennis messenger group. WALKS AROUND THE RING Sunday Fitness Walk Sundays, meet at 10:55 for an 11:00 in front of the main entrance to the Staatsoper. We walk in the direction of the Bristol Hotel. Leader: Minoo Cassens Tuesday Walk Tuesdays a 10:00 Meet main entrance to the Staatsoper. Leader: Jacqueline Finniss (Below: Sue, Jacqueline, Laura, Tijan, Bev, Helen, Mavic, Linda)

Weekly/Monthly Activities

SOCIAL

Ambassador's Coffee THURSDAY 9th MAY 2019 from 10am to 12pm at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence, Weidlichgasse 5, 1130

AWA Vienna Honorary President Mrs. Alexa Traina welcomes us to her lovely home and gardens in the 13th District. Please join us to hear about her successful professional life and her current role supporting the US Ambassador. This gathering is also AWA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). We will discuss administrative matters and hear a review of the 2018 AWA finances from Mr Hannes Miklautsch, our external auditor. Please register by Friday 19th April. No late additions will be accepted. A valid Photo ID will be required at the gate for entry. Due to security restrictions, only registered AWA members may attend. This is strictly enforced as all names need to be submitted in advance for security clearance. NB Parking at the Residence is limited. The U4 to Heitzing and then 56B, 58B or 158B buses will take you to Tirolergasse. Walk forward and turn right.

Competent, friendly staff will welcome you (Above: Helena, Marina, Gerda, Ute, Annick, Cheryl, Regina)

Weekly Coffee

WEEKLY COFFEE AT CAFE SLUKA Weekly, Wednesdays, 10:00 - 12:00 Café Sluka, Weihburggasse 4, 1010 Weekly Coffee Chair: Gerda Moes, 0676 387 2450 Other hosts: Urte Paulus, 0676 6765829 /Hyacinth Krippner, 0650 554 7156 /Lini Stangl, 0664 179 7031/ Helena Schasché, 0676 331 8626 /Heike Little, 01 789 0199 MAWA (Men of AWA) COFFEE Weekly, Wednesdays 10:30 - 12:00 Cafe Alt Wien, Backerstrasse 9, 1010 Robert Blaukopf/ robert.blaukopf@gmail.com

to our office. We strive for excellence in everything we do, and as a patient you should accept nothing less. Our primary goal is to give you both a great smile and a healthy, long-lasting bite. We are committed to providing the best possible treatment using state-of-the art orthodontics in a caring, friendly environment. Billrothstrasse 58 1190 - Vienna +43 1 36 77 222 smile@claudia-aichinger.com www.claudia-aichinger.com

Monday

APRIL CALENDAR Tuesday

01 10:00 12:30 15:00 15:00

Health/Wellness Thai Massage Fluent Spanish Conversation Charity Committee Meeting Baby & Toddler Group

APRIL FOOL'S DAY!

02 10:00 10:30 10:30 12:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 18:00

Tuesday Walk around the Ring German for Absolute Beginners Adv Beginner German Conv German A1+ Conversation Veggie Vienna @ Venuss American Mahjong Visit to Croy Goldschmidt Easter Egg & Wine Workshop

08 10:00 Tour of the Musikverein 11:00 Fashion & Design: Intro to Bobbin Lace-Making 12:30 Fluent Spanish Conversation 13:30 Italian Conversation 15:00 Baby & Toddler Group 17:00 Happy Hour @ the Marriott

AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED

(April Boart Games - Vera, Anne, Lee, Marjeta, Choonai)

Wednesday

09 10:00 10:30 10:30 12:00 13:00

Tuesday Walk around the Ring German for Absolute Beginners Adv Beginner German Conv German A1+ Conversation American Mahjong

AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED Book Group Discussion

03 10:00 10:30 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 18:00

Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka MAWA Coffee French Conversation Fluent German Conversation Canasta Falun Gong Falun Gong

10:00 Ceramic Bowls for Charity I 10:00 Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA Coffee 11:30 French Conversation 12:00 Fluent German Conversation 13:00 Tour of Leonard Bernstein @ Jewish Museum 13:00 Canasta 14:00 Falun Gong/ 18:00 Falun Gong

AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED 10:30 MAWA Coffee 18:30 MAWA Dinner 19:00 Ladies’ Dining Experience: JOMA WEDNESDAY 24 10:30 MAWA Coffee

29 AWA CLUBHOUSE RE-OPENS 12:30 Fluent Spanish Conversation 13:30 Italian Conversation 15:00 Baby & Toddler Group 15:00 Seniors’ Afternoon Tea Party

May 06

10:00 Health & Wellness:Nutrition 12:30 Fluent Spanish Conversation 17:00 Happy Hour @ the Marriott MONDAY, MAY 13 13:00 Tour of the Imperial Crypt

30 10:00 Tuesday Walk around the Ring 10:30 German for Absolute Beginners 10:30 Adv Beginners German Conversation 12:00 German A1+ Conversation 13:00 American Mahjong 16:30 Cooking for the Homeless 17:00 Bucket List Group

May 07 10:00 Tuesday Walk around the Ring 10:30 German for Absolute Beginners 10:30 Adv Beginners German Conv 12:00 German A1+ Conversation 13:00 American Mahjong 13:00 Book Discussion Group

May 0I PUBLIC HOLIDAY Shops and AWA Office Closed 10.30 MAWA Weekly Coffee

May 08 10:00 Ceramic Bowls for Charity II 10:00 Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA Coffee 11:30 French Conversation 12:00 Fluent German Conversation 13:00 Tour of Fernwaerme 13:00 Canasta 14:00 Falun Gong/ 18:00 Falun Gong

(

@ AWA Clubhouse @ Off-Site Location ** By arrangement only

Charity News

See pages 10-11, 14-15 for event/activity specifics

Thursday

Friday

EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER

04 10:00 10:00 13:00 15:00 18:00 19:00

Board Games Bible Study English Conv for Learners Yoga with Ivy Prosecco/Popcorn Movie Ladies’ Wine Evening

11 10:00 Board Games 10:00 Bible Study 13:00 English Conv for Learners 15:00 Yoga with Ivy AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSES RE-OPENS APRIL 29

AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED

05 10:30 Singing Group

SUNDAY 5 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED 10:30 Singing Group

SUNDAY 14 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED

(Weekly Coffee- Heike, Irene, Dorothea, Urte, Gerda, Renee, Yolanda, Oana)

FRIDAY 26 Monthly Luncheon AWA CLUBHOUSE CLOSED

May 02 10:00 Board Games 10:00 Bible Study 13:00 English Conv for Learners 13:00 Tour of the 3rd Man Sewers 15:00 Yoga with Ivy 19:00 Ladies’ Wine Evening

May 03 10:30 Singing Group

SUNDAY MAY 5 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

May 09 AWA CLUBHOUSE OPENS 13:00 10:00 Ambassador’s Coffee @ US Ambassador’s Residence 13:00 English Conv for Learners 15:00 Yoga with Ivy

Art for a cause! Food for the body and soul! Funds raised for our charity!

May 10 10:30 Singing Group

SUNDAY MAY 12 MOTHER'S DAY 11:00 Fitness Walk around the Ring

The Empty Bowls fundraiser is a creative and festive event in which ceramic bowls, created by members, are later sold to guests at a special event. The guests are then served complimentary soup or food in their newlly purchased handcrafted bowls, and all funds are donated to our 2019 charity, Die Möwe. AWA will be collaborating with artist Ellen Levenhagen for this fundraiser. On 10 April volunteers will begin the process by forming the ceramic bowls with Ellen at the Commonroom Art Studio, and then later will glaze the bowls there on 8 May. The culminating Empty Bowls event will take place at the Commonroom on 22 May. Monies raised will be donated to our 2019 charity. See the April Calendar and Events listings for more details and sign up soon! FOREIGN & OLD CURRENCY It is still possible to exchange outdated coins and notes and all foreign currency. Many of us have leftover foreign holiday money and outdated currency (Schillings, DM, Lira, etc) stuffed in the back of a drawer. Let’s put it all to good use and collect it for our charity. Do some Spring Cleaning, and benefit yourself while benefitting others. Just think of all that reduced clutter! We raised €140 with our first batch of collected currency. Thank you! Please drop off any outdated or foreign money in our Clubhouse collection box. KNITTING PROJECT 2019 After our successful woolly hats project in 2018, it’s time to get the knitting needles ready again! This year we have set ourselves a goal to knit 111 scarves for Christmas gifts for the homeless and needy, plus some extra scarves to sell at our charity craft fair in the Autumn. As guidance, scarves (acrylic yarn not wool please) should measure about 20cm x 150cm. Any donations of acrylic yarn are most welcome! Please drop it off at the Clubhouse. We are planning to hold monthly knitting and craft sessions in the clubhouse in the Fall. More details to follow.

EVENTS

Tours/Trips/Social Events

an email to awa@awavienna.com or by calling 14 sending the AWA office at 01 9662925 (unless otherwise noted).

Please show courtesy to tour leaders and participants by arriving on time and calling to cancel when plans have changed. Thank you!

Dining & Drinking

VEGGIE VIENNA: VENUSS Tuesday 2 April at 12:00 Herrengasse 6-8, 1010 Vienna Let’s meet for a tasty vegan lunch at this chic bistro. Take your pick of dishes at the deli-style counter. There’s a large range of salads, main dishes and sweet treats. To learn more about Venuss, see Virginia’s review in March Highlights. Sign up: by Monday 1 April. LADIES’ WINE EVENING: WEIN.RAUM, Bistro and Wein.Bar Thursday, 4 April at 19:00 Piaristengasse 41, 1080 A new place for us to check out, a cosy wine bar with just 15 seats. Soups, snacks and combi-offers are also available. Seating is limited, so sign up quickly! And please send apologies if not able to attend as there will be a waiting list. Sign up: by Wednesday, 3 April. HAPPY HOUR COCKTAILS: Cascade Bar, Marriott Hotel Monday, 8 April and Monday, 6 May from 17:00 to 19:00 Parkring 12a, 1010 Fabulous conversation and relaxation hosted by Minoo and Sonja who have lived around the world and have many tips to share. Two-for-one drink prices and 5 euro all-you-can-eat buffet available. Bar is at the back of the lobby level. Toast to life with us - and bring friends! Sign up: by noon on the Monday. MAWA (Men of AWA) DINNER NIGHTS Wednesday, 17 April, at 18:00 MAWA (Men of AWA) is the group for spouses of AWA members. New members are especially encouraged! Robert Blaukopf / robert.blaukopf@gmail.com

MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Restaurant Yori Korean Dining Friday, 26 April at 12:30 Wiesingerstraße 8, 1010 Excellent Korean Cuisine in the heart of Vienna. Yori serves authentic Korean dishes in a nice atmosphere, and was the 2017-18 winner of the Certificate of Excellence. Sign up: Wednesday, 24 April by contacting Nadia Di Paola 0678 1252229 SENIORS´ AFTERNOON TEA PARTY: Grand Hotel Monday, 29 April at 15:30 Kärntner Ring 9, 1010 (1st floor) Lively Ladies meet to chat and exchange views. Sign up: Friday, 26 April directly with Vera Saunders verasaunders@gmx.net / (01) 990 6492 evenings

Groups @ Clubhouse

PROSECCO & POPCORN MOVIE NIGHT Thursday, 4 April at 18:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 For this month’s movie night, we’ll be watching The Bookshop, a beautiful film set in England in 1959. Florence Green, a free-spirited widow, puts grief behind her and risks everything to open a bookshop -- the first such shop in the sleepy seaside town of Hardborough, England. Sign up: by noon, 4 April. BUCKET LIST - REACHING FOR DREAMS Tuesday, 30 April at 17:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 We live our dreams, that's what we do - the bucketlisters of AWA. Riding an elephant, swimming with a great white shark, finding a personal solution, helping children in need, improving special skills or just eating a nice piece of Schwarzwälderkirschtorte as we did in our childhood. No goal is too small or too grand. Come and join us once a month to support each other and to find and fulfill our dreams. For more information, see article on page 7. Sign up: by Monday, 29 April.

Fashion & Craft

FASHION & DESIGN: Intro to Bobbin and LaceMaking LADIES’ DINING EXPERIENCE: Monday 8 April at 11:00 Joma Restaurant Delyana Peeva will show how this method of lacemaking Wednesday, 17 April at 19:00 produces intricate designs for decorative collars. She has Hoher Markt 10, 1010 Vienna equipment for interested members to try for themselves. Urban chic with a range of flavours and textures from a variety Sign up: by Thursday, 4 April. of cuisines. Enjoy good comopany and the wide choice of dishes available. EASTER EGG & WINE WORKSHOP Please contact Annick directly by Friday, 12 April Tuesday 2 April, 18:00 to 20:00 europolitan@chello.at / 0699 1968 8173 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11 Join us to make beautiful handSENIORS’ LUNCHEON: decorated Easter eggs under the Koinonia Plus guidance of Helena Schasché. We'll be Thursday, 18 April at 13:00 using the "Serviettetechnik and Deco Albertgasse 30, 1080 Patch" method, hopefully creating 3-4 Upscale fusion food with elements from Korean, Japanese eggs each to take home. Cost to participate is €10 and funds and Thai cuisine. The female chef is a trained sushi master. raised will benefit our charity, Wine & snacks will be available. Sign up: with Phyllis Wieser directly 01 320 8418 Sign up: by 29 March. phylliswieser@aon.at

Tours/Trips/Social Events Health & Wellness

THAI MASSAGE with Krairung Phothipan Monday, 1 April at 10:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 A welcome repeat after a successful first demonstration. Jacqueline Finnis, who attended, writes, "Not only was my body put into intense but interesting poses, it also was extremely relaxing and energizing at the same time! I completely forgot that there was an audience watching." Yoga mats and pants needed. Sign up: by Thursday, 28 March. NUTRITION AND HEALTH by AWA member Mila Casey Monday, 6 May at 10:00 AWA Clubhouse, Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Mila Casey has always had a passion for the study and practice of good nutrition and healthy eating. In 2008 she became a certified nutritional consultant. She loves coaching her clients and helping them to reach optimal health through proper nutrition and looks forward to talking to members about her passion. Sign up: by Thursday, 2 May.

Charity Events

OUTREACH ACTIVITY: Cooking Dinner in a Homeless Shelter Tuesday, 30 April 16:30 - 20:00 in 1030 Wien Volunteers prepare an evening meal for 55 homeless residents in an emergency shelter and clean up afterwards. Contribution for the ingredients/guide is €12 per volunteer. We also support the homeless guide with work and integration. Sign up: by Monday, 29 April (spaces limited) awa@awavienna.com Eva Schlögl/ 06991 9079888 CHARITY FUNDRAISER: Making Ceramic Bowls for the Empty Bowls Project Wednesdays, 10 April and 8 May 10:00 to 12:00 The Commonroom Art Studio, Florianigasse 54, 1080 On 10 April, we’ll be making ceramic bowls under the guidance of artist Ellen Levenhagen. No experience is needed. We will keep one bowl but we will make additional bowls for the Empty Bowls project (see page 13 for details). A second session to glaze the bowls is on Wednesday, 8 May. Cost to participate is €25, which includes both the making and glazing sessions. Sign up: by Friday 5 April.

Behind the Scenes

CROY GOLDSCHMIDT DESIGNER Tuesday 2 April at 14:00 Palais Schwarzenberg, Rennweg 2, 1030 (Kleiner Hof up the stairs by the building site) Cécile, Princessin von Croy, has a talent for designing exclusive jewellery, famous in Viennese society. However, it is the history of the Palais and her Atelier which makes this visit highly unusual. A glass of Prosecco will help us enjoy her historic premises. Free! Sign up: by Thursday, 28 March, awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804

EVENTS

TOUR OF THE MUSIKVEREIN Monday, 8 April at 10:00 Musikvereinplatz 1, 1010 This magnificent building has one of the best concert halls in the world acoustically, and was designed by Hansen on a plot of land given to the Musikverein by Franz Josef in 1863. Brückner, Brahms and Mendelssohn all performed here. Cost depends on the number of participants, but should be €16. No photos are allowed! Friends and partners/spouses welcome. Sign up: by Thursday, 4 April awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804 TOUR IN THE JEWISH MUSEUM Leonard Bernstein: A New Yorker in Vienna Wednesday 10 April at 13:00 Dorotheergasse 11, 1010 Leonard Bernstein had a lifelong relationship with Vienna and from 1966 until his death in 1990 he returned on several occasions to work with the Vienna Philharmonic. Bernstein had an ambivalent relationship to this city, writing to his parents 21 years after the end of the Shoah: "I am enjoying Vienna enormously—as much as a Jew can. There are so many sad memories here and you never know if the public that is screaming bravo for you might contain someone who 25 years ago might have shot me dead..." Cost of tour €12 including guide. Friends and partners / spouses welcome. Sign up: by Tuesday, 9 April, awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804 TOUR OF THE THIRD MAN SEWERS Thursday 2 May at 13:00 Karlsplatz-Girardipark, 1010 Opposite the Café Museum This is the opening day of the summer tours of the sewers and our first-ever tour here. After much persuasion, we are entering the sewers. Dress warmly for the underground scenes where Harry Lime is chased by the police in the film, The Third Man. Cost is €10. Friends and partners/spouses welcome. Sign up: by Monday, 29 April awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804 TOUR OF THE FERNWÄRME WIEN Wednesday 8 May at 13:00 Spittelauer Lände 45, 1090 This tour features not only the outside decor by Viennese artist Hundertwasser, but also the insdie, which is a highly automated and efficient rubbish incinerator that provides heat for public buildings, hospitals, schools and social housing. The towers emit no pollution into the air and the energy produced is relatively cheap. Meet inside the Information Centre. Friends and partners welcome. Entry is free. Sign up: by Monday, 6 May, awa@ awavienna.com Sheila / 0676 755 9804

EXPLORE

Go Bezirk! MEMBER TIPS

INTRO Not far from the center (but often quite Left of Center), the 9th District or Alsergrund is home to actors and academics, families and French students, a medical campus and a Palais, cool coffee shops, and history aplenty. Schubert was born in the 9th, Beethoven died in the 9th (the District, not the symphony).Oh, and Sigmund Freud lived here, too (don't analyze that too much). Our expert members share their insider info from a combined 32.5 years of experiences living in Alsergrund: Terhi Laukkanen (TL): Loves the quick access to inner city. An 8-year resident. Inci Birsel (IB): For 15 years has been enjoying walks on both sides of the canal and all the excellent tram connections. Mavic Maillard (MM): Moved here 2.5 years ago for the proximity to the Lycée Français, where her daughter attends school. Jacqueline Weaver (JW): Likes the 9th's atmosphere of fellow "medical professionals and nerds." A two-year resident. Jacqueline Finniss (JF): Has stayed in Alsergrund for 5 years so far, especially because of her fabulous apartment. TOP TIPS "Don't miss the chapel behind the Serviten Church, Servitengasse 9. It's newly renovated and open to visitors." IB Votiv Kino,Währingerstrasse 12. Sunday morning film breakfasts for €13.50. Opened in 1912. "Liechtensteinpark is so sweet for a stroll, but the AKH university campus (Spitalgasse 2) is great for a short walk or run. It's 3Km in total if you visit all the platz." MM

Xocolat Manufactur, Servitengasse 5. Chocolate Heaven! All products produced by hand from high-quality ingredients. Sign up for a workshop - 3-4 hours of "active design" with free-flow Winzersekt and you can take home all that you make! FAVORITE COFFEE SHOPS La Mercerie, Berggasse 25. "Because of its charming outdoor seating and French flair."TL Cafe Konditorei Ingrid Bürger, Servietengsse 12. "Great cakes and feels like my living room!"IB Coffee Pirates, Spitalgasse 17. "The coffee is good, its vibey, full of university students cramming fro exams. It makes me feel young and it's also really cosy." MM "They roast their own responsibly sourced coffee." JW FAVORITE LUNCH/BRUNCH Cafe Francais, Währinger Strasse 6-8. Quiches! Löwenhof, Rotenlöwengasse 17. "Recommend the Schnitzel and Palatschinken at this neighborhood restaurant." IB Ristorante Scala, Serviettengasse 4. For Pizza and Tiramisu Pho 33, Nussdorfer Strasse 33. "Their traditional Pho dishes are fab. It’s in my building so a great alternative when I don’t feel like cooking." JF The Highlander, Garnissongasse 3. "Our local

pub that serves traditional Austrian dishes as well as some really great gourmet salad dishes in the summer months. It has a large outdoor space under a big tree. Great on a hot summer day. In the winter we have to book a table as the non-smoking area is small." Cafe Telegraph, Garnisongasse 7. Avocado with poached egg! Blue and Orange Cafe, Alserbachstrasse 1."One of the few spots in Vienna with American-style bagels. There is a nice spot to sit outside." JW Suppenwirtschaft, Servitengasse 6. Tiny 4-seat place with excellent soups and curries across from Servitenkirche. BEST WALK All of our experts recommended walking along the Servitenviertel, the treelined neighborhood (between Wahringerstrasse, Rossauer Lande and Schottenring) that's known as "Little Paris of Vienna." No surprise, then, that it's home to Vienna's largest French community (and the Lycee Francaise) and has an abundance of bistros, artisans, and elegant residences and shops. In the summer, the area has almost a village-like atmosphere. Named for the Serviten Monastery, 1638, it was once an area of small islands separated by the side streams of the Danube.

FOR

Alsergrund 1090

HOW WOULD YOU BEST SHOW OFF ALSEGRUND? "I'll just take you for a coffee, walk towards the university campus, walk through Votivkirche towards Liechstensteinstrasse pass the Lycée Français to the Liechstenstein Palais. Then we would make our way to Servitengasse for another coffee at another fab coffee shop there, or take a lunch break at a good Italian restaurant then head back to the Donaukanal and go for a drink at one of the pop-up summer bars." MM

"We'll begin with coffee and croissant, flown in fresh daily from Paris, at La Mercerie. Then stroll through the quaint, tree-lined Servitenviertel, to sample the chocolate decadence at Xocolat, and explore the other quaint stores. Continue ambling to the grand gardens of Palais Liechtenstein. Meander across the street to paint your own pottery at Made by You. Head over to the neoGothic Votivkirche and go inside to admire the stained glass. Finish with a glass of wine and lunch at Cafe Francais. If you are feeling extra adventurous, an offthe-beaten-tourist-track tour of Spittelau, world-renowned and featured in American and Asian newspapers for its recycling acumen." JW

SHOPPING SPOTS Catrinette, Porzellangasse 28. "Gorgeous mid-century furniture and decoration!" TL

Denn's Biomarkt, JuliusTandler-Platz 6. "Offers a wide choice of organic products." IB Alserstrasse. "Apparently it's the village centre if you are living near the outside Bezirks like the 17th." MM Kukuruz-Naturmode, Währingerstrasse 22. "A clothing store with unique and reasonably priced comfort wear, such as cool, summer shifts made of 100% silk recycled saris." JW Favvas Gourmet, Nussdorferstrasse 27. Greek, Spanish and Italian specialty ingredients and dishes. Cold pressed extra virgin olive oil produced by owner's family. You can east octopus salad with ouzo at the in-shop deli.IB DID YOU KNOW...?

EXPLORE

WINE NIGHT IN THE 9TH Dreiklang, Wasagasse 28. Tucked away in an unassuming corner of the 9th district is the small restaurant DreiKlang. We visited the restaurant for our March Ladies Wine Night and will most certainly return! The large windows at the front invite you into its cozy interior where the friendly staff welcome you with a smile. They speak English, but are more comfortable if you decide to try to practise your German with them, ordering from their menu filled with seasonal, mostly vegetarian meals. The portions were just right, the prices very reasonable and the food freshly made and delicious! Local Austrian specialities were mixed with personal creations, which allowed everybody to find something that was exactly what they were looking for. There was a good selection of beverages from which to choose, from soft drinks to beer and wine. If you are looking for a small, locally-owned place to take guests, then definitely check out DreiKlang! (The name roughly translates to "Three Sounds." Our group was certainly making lots of happy noises). - Kristina Musil

●Spittelau U6 is the station with greatest elevation from ground level (13.6 meters) ●Votivkirche is the official congregation church for the Austrian army.. ●Vienna's oldest Jewish Cemetery, at Seegasse 9-11, was protected from Nazi destruction when Viennese Jews removed 931 gravestones and buried them at the Zentralfriedhof. 206 havebeen restored to their original place. ●Johannes-NepomukKapelle, Währinger Gurtel, was Otto Wagner's first religious structure, a model to his masterpiece Kirche am Steinhof.

Live in Dobling/the 19th? Please send your tips/ favorites by April 6 to Virginia at awahighlights@gmail.com Thank you!

EXPLORE

Hungary: Hot Springs, History, BY ANDREA ULBRICH

Did you know...? ●Hungarians have won 18 Nobel Prizes, in almost every category. ●Hungarians have the highest percentage of green eyes of any people in the world, 20% ●The Dalai Lama said the Earth's heart is in the Hungarian Pilis mountain (its peak is called Dobogókő or "Beating stone") ●Hungarian language, Magyar, descends from the language spoken by the Huns. It is related to Finnish and Estonian.

What borders seven countries, has a capital split by a river, is only 60 km from Vienna, and has 10 million inhabitants who communicate with the most widely spoken Uralic language in the world? Hungary! Here’s a short overview that will hopefully entice you to visit, especially beyond the nearby capital.

●Rubik’s cube was invented by Hungarian Erno Rubik. ●The literacy rate in Hungary is 99%

Brief history. Surrounded by Slovakia, Ukraine, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia, the territory of modern Hungary was for centuries inhabited by a succession of peoples, including Celts, Romans, Germanic tribes, West Slavs and the Avars. Grand Prince Árpád established the foundations of the country in the late 9th century AD, following the conquest of the Carpathian Basin. His great-grandson,

Saint Stephen, became Hungary’s first king in 1000 AD, converting his realm to a Christian kingdom. By the

and cultural life and the struggle with the past is also present in our National Anthem:

National Character. At the end of World War I, defeated Hungary lost 71% of its territory as a result of the Treaty of Trianon (1920) and the collective psyche started looking back to past glories rather than accepting its present-day situation. The modern country appears to be split into two irreconcilable factions: those who are still concerned about Trianon, and those who would like to forget it. This split is evident in most aspects of Hungarian political, social,

Budapest is Best. The capital has been an anchor of Hungarian culture since its inception and dominates the country both by its population size and by its concentration of scientific, scholarly, and artistic institutions. It is a magnificent city, even when compared with the great pantheon of European capitals, and maintains the regal look given to it towards the end of the 19th century. Situated on both sides of the Danube River and a few miles downstream from the Danube Bend, Budapest never leaves visitors without something to do. Suburban Buda and its historic castle district offer medieval streets and houses, museums, caves and Roman ruins. The dynamic Pest side boasts the largest parliament building in Europe, riverside promenades, flea markets, bookstores, antique stores and café houses. Don’t miss a visit to the largest medicinal bath complex in

12th century, Hungary became a regional power, reaching its cultural and political height in the 15th century. In 1526, Hungary was partially occupied by the Ottoman Empire, came under Habsburg rule at the turn of the 18th century, and later joined Austria to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire and become a major European power. Hungary’s last king was Habsburg Charles IV, who ruled from 1916-1918. A Communist government controlled the country from 1918-1989, then a parliament was established. Today, Hungary is a parliamentary republic, though it fondly remembers its 1,000-year kingdom, and powerful rulers.

O God, bless the nation of Hungary/ With your grace and bounty/ Extend over it your guarding arm/ During strife with its enemies/ Long torn by ill fate. / Bring upon it a time of relief/ This nation has suffered for all sins/ Of the past and of the future!

Festivals and Food!

EXPLORE

Europe, Szechenyi Thermal Baths, located in Budapest’s City Park. Within its NeoBaroque facilities, constructed in 1913, are 21 pools, a daycare hospital, massage services, restaurants and more.

A prominent bathing culture has existed in the country since Roman times, and is supposedly the best cure for a hangover (although the Hungarian

term for such a condition is macskajaj or “cat’s wail”). Visiting the Countryside. Travel outside of Budapest and you will find more of the public bath culture via 450 public spas (thanks to an abundance of natural hot springs). The countryside in Hungary is just as impressive as its capital city. Easy day-trips from the capital are Hollókő, a traditional Hungarian village and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Gödöllő, home to a magnificent royal palace that once served as the summer residence of Austrian Emperor, Franz Josef. There's Lake Balaton (The Hungarian Sea), the largest lake in Central Europe; Lake Hévíz, the second largest thermal lake in the world; Hortobágy, the largest natural grassland in Europe; the Tokaj, Eger, Badacsony and Villány wine regions, and much more. Dobogókő is a really peaceful place with an incredible view to the Danube bend. Food. Traditional Hungarian dishes are primarily based on meats, seasonal vegetables, fruits, fresh bread, dairy products and cheeses. Chicken paprikash

has everything that characterises Hungarian cuisine: paprika, pepper, onion, garlic, green, pepper, tomato, meat and sour cream. The chicken

simmers in a creamy sauce for more than an hour, and the dish is traditionally served with egg dumplings called nokedi. Traditional Hungarian goulash (a beef and paprika stew) is best enjoyed at a Csarda (village restaurant) where you can also enjoy folk songs played by gypsy bands while you eat and drink. The most well-known Hungarian alcoholic beverage is pálinka . It is a strong shot (40-

50% alcohol!), traditionally distilled from different kinds of fruits such as plums, pears and peaches. Pálinka is typically enjoyed both before eating (to help appetite) and at the end of a meal (to aid digestion). And for dessert? Gundel pancake, made with ground walnuts, raisins, and rum filling, served flambéed in a dark chocolate sauce of egg yolks, heavy cream and cocoa. Festivals. Perhaps the best way to experience both Hungarian traditional cuisine and the countryside is to attend one of the famous food festivals. For example, during the Mangalica Festivals (generally held in February), visitors can learn about the indigenous gourmet longhaired pig fed only field plants, potatoes and pumpkin to create a succulent meat often called “Kobe pork.” Although live pigs and breeders are on hand, this festival is all about eating, and a range of Mangalica dishes are served up along with music, dancing, and craft stalls selling local Hungarian products. There’s a festival for paprika in Kalocsa in May, and one for palinka in Gyla in April (one of the biggest gastronomic events of the Southern Great Plains). Hungry for more Hungary? Explore for yourself. It’s not so far away...

Festival Fun

Easter Festival, Hollókő, Easter Weekend: One of the oldest traditional folk festivals in Hungary. Local attendees dress up in traditional clothes, play traditional games, enjoy traditional food.

Romantic Reform Era Festival, Balatonfüred, September Dine and drink like royalty of the 19th century. Costumes, cultures and cuisine harken back to a time when Hungary found its identity. Lavender Festival, Tihany/Lake Balaton and Lake Belso, June. Field tours, the harvest, and of course food, wine and crafts .

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Malta: Magic in the Mediterranean

is just one big back street, isn't it?” pants 20 “Malta my husband while we walk up yet another narrow cobbled road between picturesque houses with colourful doors. It's February and the sun is shining down gently, providing a pleasant temperature of 15° C (the average here), perfect for exploring the cities or having a coffee on a patio.

BY IDA VICKERS

For those interested in archaeology, Malta is a veritable treasure chest. For example, there are the St. Paul’s catacombs near Mdina, and the temples of Ggantija on Gozo as well as the prehistoric Hal Saflieni hypogeum which we, sadly, couldn't visit as you have to book tickets weeks in advance. Despite the unique local language (a branch of Arabic influenced by Italian, Sicilian and English) we were easily able to communicate as English is the second official language. This, and the fact that Malta was part of the British Empire, makes it a popular holiday and retirement destination for Brits, and it's not uncommon to find English breakfasts, Fish and Chips, and Cadbury chocolate.

To have lunch like a local, get yourself a savoury pastry called pastizzi and a bitter orange lemonade called Kinnie. Besides being quite densely populated in places – the cities often fuse seamlessly into one another – Malta offers beautiful landscapes and coastlines with mostly rocky beaches. We particularly enjoyed the south of the island, with St.Peter's pool, a stunningly beautiful lagoon about a 40-minute walk from the fishing village Marsaxlokk (itself worth a visit). Malta's sister islands, Gozo and Comino (complete with the blue lagoon but sadly missing its famous azure window that collapsed in 2017!), are also a must-see – preferably by cruise, as it saves you having to get around the islands by buses that are often late, crowded, rickety, or don't stop at all. Malta's rich history, often one of conquest and warfare, is evident in the numerous forts and bastions and at times can make you feel like you are inside a game of “Risk” or “Settlers.” There is even a daily noon firing of the saluting battery by the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta. While you are there, take a leisurely visit to Fort St. Elmo for a great overview of Maltese history, from prehistoric times until recent events.

Maltese restaurants also serve delicious Mediterranean cuisine, freshly caught fish (of course) as well as rabbit stew for the more adventurous. In short, Malta is the perfect mix of East and West, with opportunities to explore city and nature, go sailing and diving, eat interesting and affordable food, mingle with friendly locals and learn fascinating historical facts.This is not the place for a classic summer beach vacation due to a distinct lack of sandy beaches, but there are plenty of things to do so you won't get bored even if you do come in summer. We'll certainly return for a visit!

Sunday Service: 11:15 Rev. Matthew A. Laferty Sechshauser Straße 56, 1150 Vienna tel: +43 1 895 8175 office@esumc.at I www.esumc. at U4/U6 Längenfeldgasse or 57A Grimmgasse A friendly, caring community with many different nations, cultures, and traditions. Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors We offer: - a place for worship, study, growth - an opportunity to find your own ministry - a chance to feel at home - toddler care - a wonderful and fun Sunday School - five choirs and special music - active groups for families, men, women, young adults, prayer and others

The English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Vienna

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AWA Board

REPORTS

February Board Report Highlights Editor: The AWA Board confirmed Virginia Sheridan as the official Editor/Layout Designer for Highlights Magazine. Sheila will assist with gathering content and provide support as needed. The patient work of former Layout Designer Susan Mikes was also emphasised as having been essential over the last year. Highlights Advertising: Having lost a couple of long-term advertisers, through retirement and change of management, AWA Highlights Editor drew the attention of the Board to the need to recruit more advertisers.

Treasurers’ Report: Most AWA members pay their renewal fees with effect from 1 January annually and most members in this category have renewed for 2019. It was decided that the April Highlights will not be sent to those who have not renewed. Standing Rules: after a year of discussion and fine tuning, the revised Standing Rules have been approved by the Board and now are available on the Members Only section of the Website. Members are welcome to read these. The major change is the separation of the formal rules and the roles of each Board member.

2019 AWA Board Honorary President: Alexa Traina President: Sheila Hargreaves Vice President/Programs: Helene Gressenbauer-Rösner Charity Fundraising: Irene Schlegelmilch Treasurer: Jillanne Gabler Secretary: Susan Cole Weekly Coffee: Gerda Moes Internal Communications: Urte Paulus Membership: Sara Webmanager/FAWCO Rep: Beverly Bachmayer Highlights Advertising: Nadia Di Paola Highlights Editor/Layout: Virginia Sheridan

0676 755 9804/ sheilahargreaves@a1.net 0664 920 9807/ helene@gressenbauer.org 0660 6404410/ awavpfundraising@gmail.com 01 966 2925/ awa.vienna@treasurer@gmail.com 01 966 2925/ awaawavienna.com 0676 387 2450/ gerdamz@gmail.com 0676 676 5829/ Urte.paulus@gmx.at 01 966 2925/AWAViennaMembership@gmail.com 01 966 2925/ awa@awavienna.com 0678 1252229/ awahighlightsads@gmail.com awahighlights@gmail.com

Farewell to Frauenhauser

AWA has been supporting the Frauenhäuser since 2014, when a cheque was handed over for €5,000 at the Book Launch of the 2014 edition of Living in Vienna held in the Rathaus. We were granted the privilege of having a dinner as part of the celebrations. Since then, the Charity Committees led by Anthea Hankey, briefly Danae last summer, and now Irene Schlegelmilch, have raised, approximately a further €5000. The Frauenhäuser are remain very grateful for our past support, and our new charity, Die Möwe, is looking forward to the results of our members' generosity this year.

Make the Most of Vienna LIVE OPERA ON THE SQUARE From April to September, the Staatsoper provides free outdoor screenings of opera and ballet performances, from Turandot to Parsifal, and from Swan Lake to Le Corsaire. Viewing via a giant screen, seating on the side of the Opera house, on Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz. https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en EASTER MARKETS Featuring traditional arts, crafts, ornaments and food. Schloss Schönbrunn from 6-23 April www.ostermarkt.co.at Altwiener in the Freyung from 5-22 April The best displace of hand-painted eggs! www.altwiener-markt.at Kalvarienberg Easter Market from 3 to 21 April Appropriately named Church in the Hernals district, 1170, with an amazing choir and a small but fascinating market in the square. Prater Easter Party In the week before Easter, when schools are shut in Vienna, the Prater rings with Easter Party fever and free rides on the Liliputbahn and the trampoline. Schloss Neugeubäude Easter Market From 11 to 14 April An eating, drinking and entertainment area outside, a market of craft stalls insdie. For a comprehensive Easter market list: https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/ easter-markets

INFO

watch Jacques Offenbach’s opéra fantastique The Tales of Hoffmann, based on three stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann. For tickets, see websites for the opera companies. ART AUSTRIA Gartenpalais Liechtenstein, Furstengasse 1, 1090 5-7 April A focus on Austrian art, painting and sculpture with more than 40 exhibitors in the 300-year-old palace. A playground for children and food stands available. www.art-austria.info VIENNA CITY MARATHON 6-7 April Feet compete to the sounds of music from Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven. Thick pancakes (Kaiserschmarrn) and pasta served at the runner's party in Vienna’s City Hall the day before. Event includes a half-marathon, the world’s biggest relay marathon and two children’s races. vienna-marathon.com THIRD MAN 70TH ANNIVERSARY ZITHER CONCERT Liebhartstaler Bockkeller, Gallitzinstrasse 1, 1160 Wednesday, 10 April Carol Reed’s cult thriller about post-war Vienna is set to the zither music of Viennese musician Anton Karas. The Wiener zither has since become part of the Immaterial Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Ticket cost: donation STYRIA VILLAGE City Hall/Rathaus 11-14 April (Palm Sunday) See Styrian folkloric dirndls and lederhosen, watch a girl ‘Schuhplattler’ dance group, learn how to bake local Krapfen (donuts) with farmers from Schladming, watch local basket weaving and blacksmithing, and join picnics.

VIENNA STATE OPERA AND VOLKSOPER At Vienna State Opera: Wagner’s Parsifaland, Richard Strauss’ Salome, Puccini’s Turandot and La Bohème, and Beethoven’s only opera Fidelio. At the Wiener Volksoper

Turkish Delight

Our newest food event, Dining Around the World, launched last month with a Focus on Turkey at Kent Restaurant in the 15th Bezirk, led by Bahar. Her expert guidance through the tasting menu left all satisfied and wanting to return. From bottom left, clockwise: Ingrid, Lizzie, Urte, Andrea, Bridget, Gill, Neelam, Alice, Lisa, Irene, Ute, Bahar.

AWA VIENNA OFFICE & CLUBHOUSE: Singerstrasse 4/11, 1010 Wien T: (01) 966 29 25 E-mail: awa@awavienna.com www.awavienna.com

OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Thursday, 10:00-16:00 Friday closed OFFICE MANAGERS: Ivy Melchor & Erin Silangil

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