December 2018 Highlights by AWA Office

THE

I N T E R NAT I O NAL

WO M E N ' S

DECEMBER

CL U B

O F V I E N NA

2018

W O O L LY H AT S F O R T H E H O M E L E S S KNITTED

URTE

PAULUS

DECEMBER / HIGHLIGHTS / 2018

EDITORIAL Here is another bumper edition with great articles from members and, this month, even one relative, on a wide variety of topics. The penultimate in the series about the Baltic States, this month on Latvia, tells us about another country with a long history and recently expropriated by the Soviets but whose people survived! Mona Angel completes the series in January with her homeland, Sweden. In February we start with an outline of each of the Balkan lands, also full of history. We are now at the stage where members are actually volunteering to write for the Highlights. Helen volunteered her article on Dragonboating, her passion, whilst Lynn and Traude wrote about islands on the opposite sides of the world. (I had to look them both up on the map!) New member, Virginia Sheridan has written about her experience with restoration of furniture found in Vienna’s bulky waste centre. Intrigued, I checked her background only to find that she has extensive journalistic and editorial experience. Needless to say, I immediately asked her to be the Assistant Editor. She has already interviewed the staff at the Tierklinik, who were delighted to be approached, as long time advertisers, and is going to reach out to all our new members, ten in the last month, for their brief biographies. This month she has written brief notes on our tours!! Next year we return in January after the 6th January as that is the Orthodox Christmas day and the visit of The Three Kings or Epiphany and is usually a Bank Holiday. New members should expect visits of children dressed as the Three Kings, singing, collecting money for Caritas and marking your door lintels with C+M+B 2018 in chalk! (C- Caspar, M - Melchior and B - Balthazar, or Christus mansionen benedictat.) Sheila Hargreaves HIGHLIGHTS TEAM EDITOR: Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804/ sheilahargreaves@a1.net GRAPHIC DESIGN EDITOR: Susan Mikes/ 069914025299/ awahighlights@gmail.com ASSISTANT HIGHLIGHTS EDITOR: Virginia Sheridan ADVERTISING MANAGER: Nadia Di Paola/ 0678 125 2229/ awahighlightsads@gmail.com ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGER: Ivy Melchor /01 966 2925 / awa@awavienna.com PHOTOSHOP: Catherine Bui ADVERTISING DESIGN: Erin Silangil /01 966 2925 / spindler.silangil@gmail.com PROOF READERS: Rosemarie Gatscha / Jane Webster / DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS: Rosemarie Gatscha / rgatscha@mac.com, Erin Silangil and Barbara Wolff / wolff1234@yahoo.de

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Editorial / President's Message

AWA Board & Board Report

Welcome to AWA

An Austrian Christmas

Dragonboating in Vienna

Trash to Treasure

New Members

Clubhouse Activities

Offsite Activities

12-13 Calendar 14-15 Tours, Trips & Social Events 16

FAWCO & December GM Fashion

Advertisements

Make the Most of Vienna

My Journey with Dementia

Grand Cayman Islands

Three Weeks on Solomon Islands

22-23 Latvia- My fascinating Country AWA VIENNA IBAN: AT59 0018 0009 2361

HIGHLIGHTS 2019

Deadline for 2019 submission: January - deadline 30 December February - deadline 7 January March - deadline 1 February Highlights is published by AWA Vienna, on a monthly basis from September 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 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.

AWA B O A R D

JUNE/ HIGHLIGHTS / 2018

President: Sheila Hargreaves 0676 755 9804 / sheilahargreaves@a1.net Vice President / Programs: Helene Gressenbauer-Rösner 0664 920 9807 / helene@gressenbauer.org Acting Charity Fundraising Chair: Irene Schlegelmilch 0660 6404410 / awavpfundraising@gmail.com Treasurer: Jillanne Gabler 01 966 2925 / awa.vienna.treasurergmail.com Secretary: Susan Cole 01 966 2925 / awa@awavienna.com Internal Communications Chair: Urte Paulus 0676 676 5829 / Urte.paulus@gmx.at Membership Chair: Sara 01 966 2925 / AWAViennaMembership@gmail.com Public Relation Chair: Rocelyn Kielnhofer 0664 4586 685 /AWAVienna.PublicRelations@gmail.com Webmanager & FAWCO representaive: Beverly Bachmayer 01 966 2925 / awa@awavienna.com Highlights Advertising Manager: Nadia Di Paola 0678 1252229 / awahighlightsads@gmail.com

WELCOME TO NEW BOARD MEMBER ASSISTANT HIGHLIGHTS EDITOR

Virginia Sheridan

Virginia Sheridan moved to Vienna in August and joined AWA almost immediately, thanks to the friendly new member coffee welcome! An American most recently from San Francisco, CA, she has lived most of her adult life in Asia (Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore) where she worked as a magazine editor, newspaper columnist, museum guide and high school journalism teacher. A “double Mag” with Masters’ degrees in Journalism and Education, Virginia is also an avid runner who likes to race in odd places (the Great Wall of China, Hong Kong airport runway). Her family includes husband Eric and two teenage daughters - Delaney, an 11th grader who attends AIS, and Sabine, a college freshman who is studying in the US. Fun fact: Virginia first travelled to Vienna 30 years ago with her university choir, never suspecting she would one day live in Landstrasse! Virginia is starting her new role interviewing Robert Blaukopf and Stephanie Barrett on their life and their contribution to AWA and MAWA for the Highlights magazine!

AWA BOARD REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2018 HIGHLIGHTS AND HIGHLIGHTS ADVERTISING It was time to write to advertisers to ask if they wish to continue next year. TREASURER’S REPORT The Treasurer was very pleased with the amount of revenue. She hopes that the annual loss will be decreased significantly this year so that we may actually balance the books.. CHARITY FUNDRAISING The Paint and Wine evening and the following Vernissage were great successes and fun! Cooking for the Homeless got off to a good start and Eva Schögl has taken up the leadership of this event. Woolly hats had been knitted way beyond the target of 111, thanks mainly to Urte and Magda, and The Madhatters’ Tea Party had been set for celebrating this achievement. A new venture with the Wiener Tafel was announced for December 1. Baking Christmas Cookies for the Homeless was also mooted as an idea. MEMBERSHIP REPOR 16 new members had joined since September and we now had 8 Overseas members joining. GM REPORT The successful programme of GMs had continued with a talk about the Marshall Plan and a Talk/Tour of the Academy of Sciences, both of which were very interesting..

Date of Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 16 2019 at 12:30

T H JUNE I S / HIGHLIGHTS AND T H AT / 2018

SELECTIONS FROM NOVEMBER TOURS/EVENTS CONTRIBUTED BY VIRGINIA SHERIDAN

STRAUSS MUSEUM In addition to being the renowned composer of the Blue Danube and some 500 other musical works, the ‘waltz king” Johann Strauss II was also an innovative self-promoter. He sold signed memorabilia at concerts, dyed and puffed his hair to maintain a youthful image, and employed Doppelgänger conductors so that he could seem to be performing everywhere at once. At his “Beletage” apartment on the Praterstern, the group viewed Strauss memorabilia such as his standing composing desk, his violin and piano, and a set of personalised playing cards embellished with his face - items all brought life with colourful anecdotes by our private guide, Berndt from Wien Museum.

PERSIAN COOKING WITH MINOO Persian cooking is all about the spices! Coriander, mint and lavender are featured ingredients along with pistachios and pomegranate berries. The eating style is “a little bit of this and that” with small shared dishes and dips. The bit of crusty rice at the bottom of the pot is considered desirable and tasty! Minoo quipped that her sisters were amused that she was teaching Persian cooking as her international lifestyle has lead her to more frequently cooking less complicated Chinese and Italian dishes. TOSTMANN TRACHTEN Gexi Tostmann, whose mother founded the renowned made-in-Austria Trachten business, owns a different dirndl for each day of the year. In addition to custom-fitting for brides and balls, Tostmann rents Trachten, sells ready-made wear, and promotes Austrian culture though hosted lectures, music events and cultural exchanges. The well-attended talk and tour was further enhanced by views of city wall remnants, an eclectic assortment of dirndl-themed dolls and memorabilia, and a venture to the ancient basements (part of an ancient underground labyrinth system). According to organiser Helene, a Tostmann dirndl lasts for decades and needs to be altered only due to “winter shrinkage” - that is, the owner needing a larger size due to winter weight gain.

Minoo and Condiments

AWA ACTIVITY GALLERY

Seniors' Luncheon

Seniors' Afternoon Tea Party

CJUNE/ HR I S T M/ A S HIGHLIGHTS 2018 AN AUSTRIAN CHRISTMAS C O N T R I B U T E D B Y S H E I L A H A R G R E AV E S

In early December, usually after the 8th, areas fenced with high metal railings are erected across Austria and stacked high with cut Christmas Trees which can be wrapped in a net so that they can be carried home on public transport. Normally priced by height, a floor to (Altbau) ceiling tree can cost a great deal of money but all sizes are available. Traditionally, Austrians put real candles on their trees, with a fire extinguisher to hand. SAINT NICHOLAS' DAY, DECEMBER 6TH,

is celebrated in Austria as a Christian festival based on the tradition of Saint Nicholas bringing the gifts. The American, Santa Claus, and the British, Father Christmas, are named after both Saint Nicholas and Sinterklaas, the Saint's name in Dutch. However, the day for Santa and Father Christmas to bring presents is Christmas Day rather than Saint Nicholas’ Day. KRAMPUSNACHT

is on the night of 5th December, when he appears on the streets, and in some areas, there will be several Krampuses roaming!! In the Austrian tradition, Krampus, a beast-like creature, a devil with flaming coals for eyes, matted fur and twisting stag horns, who slaps people with birch twigs and kidnaps naughty children in a large sack, accompanies St. Nicholas. It is thought that Krampus may originate from a preChristian pagan natural spirit which was then ‘translated’ into a devil by the Catholic Church. Whether or not that is true, Krampus plays second fiddle and assistant to St. Nicholas who rewards nice children with presents.

THE CHRISTKIND

Here in Austria, the traditional Christmas giftbringer is the Christkind, an angelic looking child usually depicted with blond hair and wings who brings the presents to children on Christmas Eve. Originally encouraged by Martin Luther, during the Protestant Reformation in 16th–17th-century Europe, to discourage the Catholicism of St. Nicholas and meant to represent the baby Jesus, many Protestants also changed the date of giving gifts to Christmas Day. During the 19th century, the Christkind was also adopted in Catholic areas but, in Protestant regions, it began to be gradually replaced by a non religious version of Saint Nicholas, the Weihnachtsmann. Children never see the Christkind in person, their parents telling them that the Christkind will not bring them presents if they try to see it. The family gathers around the Christmas tree, which is only put up on December 24th, to open their presents. The evening meal is traditionally Carp, bought fresh from large metal containers of water found at Christmas Markets. (River carp tend to be muddy so they need to be cleaned out well before Christmas.) N.B. Christkindl is the diminutive version of Christkind and is used to describe many of the Christmas Markets in Austria.

HANDYMAN, REMOVALS... PAUL MOCKO DOES IT ALL! Electrical Work / Telephone & Internet Support / Satellite dishes & SKY TV Installation / Wooden Deck Construction Furniture Assembly & Disassembly Painting / Patching / Hanging Curtains & Pictures / Removals Appliance Installation & Repair Works Days & Evenings / Speaks English, German & Polish I highly recommend Paul. He moved my house contents three times, with all the disassembling and reassembling of furniture plus all the tasks that removals require. He is utterly reliable and trustworthy. Sheila Hargreaves, AWA President ________________________________________

0676 950 5789 / s.mocko@gmx.at / www.homeservice.prv.pl

- Helping AWA members for over a decade -

/ HIGHLIGHTS D R A G O N B JUNE O AT I N G / 2018 IN VIENNA

CONTRIBUTED BY HELEN JOHNSTON

I got into the sport as soon as I arrived here, as Dragonboating- never heard of it? Well I didn’t know much about it either before I got to Vienna. an acquaintance of mine was starting up a Pink Team for Breast Cancer Survivors in Vienna The sport of Dragonboating originated, and wanted to get me involved to help grow the unsurprisingly, in China but has since spread team. Pink Dragonboating is a big thing in the around the world in a variety of forms. sport. It was started in Canada by an oncologist with expertise in exercise and sport rehabilitation The international version has developed and has spread worldwide. It provides a suitable into a modern sport with codified rules with exercise program for during and post-surgery and competitions and championships. The World treatment of Breast Cancer. The supportive team Club Crew championships were recently held in environment is also important for the ongoing Hungary. well-being of the survivors and their families. I currently train both with the Vienna Pink Dragons and the Vienna Dragons. As well as our regular water training on the beautiful Alte Donau, we do cross-training including strength training, yoga, Pilates, Nordic walking and using rowing machines.

As you can see in the photo, the Dragonboat is crewed by up to 20 paddlers, sitting in 10 rows, with only 10 paddlers in the small boats. There is also a drummer and a helmsman. Competitions tend to be organised in men’s, women’s and mixed categories, and races are generally held over 200m, 500m, and 2km. The length of the race is often dictated by the body of water where they occur. The shortest race I have done was 100m and the longest was 33km. It is a niche sport in Austria, like most countries in Europe, with only 3 permanent clubs (2 in Vienna) and a number of ad hoc fun teams.

Being a part of a local team has certainly improved my German! It has also helped me get to know the local culture and way of life and local people, not just the international community. It has also given me a chance (excuse) to travel to many places for competitions. So far, I have paddled through Paris on the Seine, through London on the Thames, from Vienna to Hainburg on the Danube, around Venice in the Vogalonga, on the beautiful Weißensee, as well as racing in Barcelona, Florence, Brno, Dresden, Munich, Hamburg, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Dublin. I have even paddled in my home town of Melbourne, Australia. This year was a special one for the Vienna Pink Dragons as we competed in Florence at the IBCPC Pink Festival along with 124 other teams from around the world. It was a fantastic and uplifting experience! Dragonboating has given me an opportunity to get fit, have fun, to compete and challenge myself, make many new friends and travel to new places.

Paddles up!

Helen is the one not wearing a cap.

TRASH TO TREASURE JUNE/ HIGHLIGHTS / 2018 ADVENTURES IN UP-CYCLING CONTRIBUTED BY VIRGINIA SHERIDAN

After months of searching, I found the perfect entrance hall cabinet. Not at IKEA (which I’m currently avoiding due to a severe case of FAD – Furniture Assembly Disorder). Not at Leiner or XXXLutz or a trendy Neubau showroom (because 20 weeks to delivery is just too long to wait). No, my dream piece of furniture was actually waiting for me… in the trash. Technically the carved wooden clunker was trash before we met, dumped at one of the government’s bulky waste collection points. I encountered her at 48er Tandler, the Altwaren marketplace in the 5th district set up by MA 48 (Vienna’s waste management department) to sell good-condition second-hand items. The cabinet wasn’t exactly picture-perfect – she was covered in cobwebs and the color of old coffee – but she was the right size and the right price (€50!) I could see her potential shining through the cracks in her broken drawers.

the dark wood showed through for that “Shabby Chic” look. Brushing, roughing and wax buffing, I channeled my inner Monet to create my masterpiece. Or perhaps I just hallucinated this after inhaling too many toxins painting indoors with the windows closed. Nevertheless, I was pleased with the end result- a unique and functional piece of furniture, rescued from the landfill, transported via a ride-share car. A winwin for me and the environment!

I also discovered that my newly adopted city has committed to reduce-reuse-recycle in some ingenious ways. For example, the 48er Tandler store runs workshops to encourage consumers to fix broken appliances, and displays wacky inspiration creations such as a shopping cart chair and a bathtub sofa (in partnership with upcycling A project – just what I needed to distract me artist workshops). Each year the Altwaren from German lessons! shop converts 300 tons of waste (culled from Step 1: Finding a way to transport the 148 x 87 bulk waste collection points, lost property and x 50cm beast since I did not own a car and 48er redundant government equipment) into funds for social programs and animal welfare. It posts Tandler does not deliver. Uber van refused to songs with “trashy” lyrics by local bands to pick it up, all of my friends were car-free, and paying a day’s truck rental would have negated promote the cause, and is hosting an alternative my excellent bargain. In the end I hastily signed Christmas market selling second-hand artificial up for the Drive Now pay-per-minute car-sharing Christmas trees, decorations and gift items, with giftwrapping available (in reusable bags, of service hoping (without measuring) that the course). BMW wagon could accommodate the massive Möbile. It did, barely – much to the amusement Then again, what else would I expect from a city that keeps rebuilding and reinventing itself of the staff - but only because I drove nose to century after century? Fingers crossed I can do the windshield. same for myself here - hopefully with a little less Step 2: The preparation. Over the river via paint. U-bahn and bus to the Bauhaus did I go. Such For more information: a palace of potential projects! With the aid of a YouTube tutorial and the Google translate app, I Stadt Wien Bulky waste centers: https://www. managed to source supplies - brushes, sandpaper, wien.gv.at/umwelt/ma48/entsorgung/mistplatz/ adressen.html chalk paint and wax - and in the process learn useful German vocabulary like Farbe, Anfänger 48erTandler: and wahnsinnig. https://48ertandler.wien.gv.at/site/ Step 3: The transformation. I cleaned, repaired Siebenbrunnenfeldgasse 3, 1050 Wien and sanded then rolled on the paint: “Cashmere” Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-6pm. cream for the inside, a hint of “Frozen” bluegreen on the outside, sanded out in spots so that Altwaren Christmas market from 11/21-12/22.

N EJUNE W / HIGHLIGHTS M E M B/ 2018 ERS

We welcome the following NEW MEMBERS since the November Highlights Magazine was published: Teresa Poandl

Daniela Kerestesova

Perkha Traxl

Helene Schuster

Rachelle Leslie

Kathryn Blankley

Elizabeth Thomas

Rikke Villadsen

Susanna von Felten

Neelam Ghai

Tarcila Acevedo

Marie Fronek

SUSANNA VON FELTEN Sue was born in October, 1960 in Schönenwerd, Switzerland. From 1977 - 1978 she joined a student exchange program and spent one year in Mishawaka, Indiana, living the life of an American High School student, loving every minute of it. At the change of the millennium, she decided to move to Austria and explore new frontiers. Somehow she got stuck here but meeting the love of her life could have been one reason for it.

Andrea Mitasova

She started her business life in Austria as an accountant and financial controller but somehow ended up working as a dog behaviourist and she loves every minute of it. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing happy dogs and happy dog owners. She has joined AWA to meet exciting people, speak English more frequently and have fun with new friends. Her hobbies include dogs, creating teddy bears, reading and movies. ELIZABETH THOMAS Elizabeth moved to Vienna from Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, for her husband’s work at the International Atomic Energy Agency. Her 8-year-old daughter is a second grader at the American International School. The Thomas Family is happily making their home in the 2nd district, and thoroughly enjoying living in a European capital city after 14 years in the

desert southwest. She enjoys cooking and baking (and eating), reading, hiking, and running (but has sadly been out of commission since breaking her ankle in the spring). Her hands-down favorite part of living in Austria thus far is the fantastic coffee and pastries, and she is on a “pilgrimage tour” of the city’s cafes and coffee shops. Elizabeth is most looking forward to exploring her new city and visiting new countries during her time here. LYNN BUENEMANN Lynn first arrived in Vienna in 1998 as an exchange student from The University of North Carolina. She eventually transferred to Webster University to finish her BA in Management and graduated in 2000. After graduation, she immediately accepted a public relations job in New York City where she lived until returning to Vienna permanently in 2004. Shortly after arriving in Vienna in 2004, she began working at Eli Lilly and enjoyed a 14year career there—the last 7 years working as a Medical Communications Specialist. She received her master’s degree in 2007 while working at Eli Lilly. She has a wonderful Austrian husband and an adorable two-year old son, who keeps her fit and young! They enjoy traveling very much as a family and return to their home in Wilmington, North Carolina twice a year.

Dr. Gabriele Springer

AESTHETIC DENTISTRY | VENEERS TEETH WHITENING | PERIODONTOLOGY In our practice you will find the quality you are used to from the U.S. Our team, including a dental hygienist, is at your service. Special rates apply for AIS and VIS students. For appointments contact: t: 01 804 33 83 or 0676 453 05 35 e: zahn@springerdent.at | www.springerdent.at Jagdschloßgasse 9/11, A-1130 Vienna

HIGHLIGHTS 2018C T I V I T I E S C L U B HJUNE/ OU S E /A

/ LANGUAGES /

/ HEALTH / EXERCISE/

ITALIAN CONVERSATION/ MONTHLY Monday, 3 December at 13:30 Nadia Di Paola / 0678 1252229

YOGA WITH IVY/ WEEKLY From January10, 2019,Thursdays from 15:00 to 16:00 Maximum of six members with Yoga mats. awa@awavienna.com

FLUENT SPANISH CONVERSATION/WEEKLY By arrangement in December Teresa Benet / ftmirella@yahoo.com BEGINNERS’ SPANISH CONVERSATION /WEEKLY By arrangement only /minimum two members ftmirella@yahoo.com BASIC GERMAN FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS Tuesdays at 10:30 By arrangement only with Monika Sautner/ minimum two members ADVANCED BEGINNERS’ GERMAN CONVERSATION / WEEKLY Tuesdays at 10:30 with Mona/ mona.angel.nilsson@gmail.com GERMAN CONVERSATION A1+/WEEKLY Tuesdays at 12:00 / 01 876 2041/ andrea.s.melchiorre@t-online.de FLUENT FRENCH CONVERSATION / WEEKLY Wednesdays at 11:30 with Françoise Delannoy or Antonia Zane

FALUN GONG/ WEEKLY Wednesdays from 14:00 to 15:00 and 18:00 to 19:00 Nayiri Asvazadurian/ 0650 610 4545 / n.asvazadurian@gmail.com

/ OTHER /

BIBLE STUDY / WEEKLY

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

/HOBBIES / AMERICAN MAHJONG / WEEKLY Tuesdays at 13:00 CANASTA/ WEEKLY Wednesdays at 13:00 BOARD GAMES / WEEKLY

Words, Scrabble or Numbers for fun. Thursdays at 10:00 Lee Goodell / 0650 548 9596 / leegoodellusa@yahoo.com

Thursdays from 10:00-12:00, 6 and 13 December, with Sandy Shaffer: Apostle Paul's letters to the church at Thessalonika, with a focus on living a life that pleases God. / 02243 287 01 / sshaffer@entrust4.org AWA BABY AND TODDLER GROUP/ WEEKLY Mondays from 15:00 until 16:30 with Stephanie Barrett

O F F S I TJUNE E / HIGHLIGHTS A C T I/ 2018 VITIES

/LANGUAGES/ FLUENT GERMAN CONVERSATION//WEEKLY SINGING GROUP / WEEKLY Wednesdays, after Weekly Coffee, lunch in different Fridays, 7 and 14 December, 10:30-12:00 local restaurants Sing with the AWA choir, led and accompanied by Sandra Schweighofer on her piano! BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP/MONTHLY Lidice Pollan lidice.pollan@gmail.com Tuesday, 11 December at 13:00 /0699/1924-7478 At our last meeting of the year, we will discuss When in French Love in a Second Language, /HEALTH & SPORT / the North Carolinian Lauren Collins's humorous memoir of her romance with a Frenchman NEW-SOCIAL TENNIS / WEEKLY conducted in English. Later, newly married in Thursday mornings, time by arrangement. Geneva, she decided that she had to learn her Reservation required to guarantee the time and court. husband's language. Along the way she pondered the idiosyncrasies of not just French, but other / WEEKLY COFFEE / languages and cultures. Upcoming books may AWAWEEKLY COFFEE include: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid. and Solar Bones by Mike McCormack. All are welcome! Mary Wagener / mary.l.wagener@gmail.com

Wednesdays, from 10:00 until 12:00, at Café Sluka. Weihburggasse 4, 1010 Leaders are: Gerda, Urte, 0676 6765829, Hyacinth, 0650 554 7156, Lini, 0664 179 7031, Helena, 0676 331 8626, and Heike, 01 789 0199. MAWA WEEKLY COFFEE Wednesdays from 10:30 to 12:00, not 26 December Robert Blaukopf robert.blaukopf@gmail.com

GENTLE STROLLS Look out for Barbara Sattler’s dates in Weekly News.

Competent, friendly staff will welcome you 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, longlasting 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

D E C E MJUNE/ B EHIGHLIGHTS R C A/ 2018 LENDAR

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 10:00 -11:00 Charity Meeting 11.00-12:00 Woolly Hat Wrapping, everyone Welcome! 12:00 Hula Rehearsal 12:30 Clubhouse Fluent Spanish Conversation 13:00 Health and Wellness-Secrets of a Beautiful Skin 13:30 Clubhouse Beginners’ Spanish Conversation** 13:30 Italian Conversation 15:00-16:30 Baby & Toddler Group 17:00 Happy Hour Cocktails at the Marriott ** By arrangement only

10:30 Basic German for Absolute beginners 10:30 Advanced Beginners’ German Conversation 11:00 Veggie Vienna - Venus 12:00 German A1+ Conversation

12:30 Clubhouse Fluent Spanish Conversation

10:30 Basic German for Absolute beginners 10:30 Advanced Beginners’ German Conversation 12:00 German A1+ Conversation

10:00-12:00 AWA Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA (Men of AWA) Coffee 11:30 French Conversation 12:00 Fluent German Conversation

13:00 American Mahjong

13:00 Canasta 14:00 Falun Gong

17:00 Bucket List Group

18:00-19:00 Falun Gong

13:30 Clubhouse Beginners’ Spanish Conversation** 15:00-16:30 Baby & Toddler Group

13:00 American Mahjong

13:00 Canasta 14:00 Falun Gong 14:00-17:00 Baking Christmas Cookies at 18:00 Prosecco and Popcorn-Film Night Franziskanerkirche in the Clubhouse Book Club 18:00-19:00 Falun Gong 18:00 Ladies’ Dining Experience at Hansen’s

10:30 Basic German for Absolute beginners 10:30 Advanced Beginners’ German Conversation 12:00 German A1+ Conversation

10:00-12:00 AWA Weekly

13:00 American Mahjong

13:00 Canasta 14:00 Falun Gong

15:00-16:30 Baby & Toddler Group ** By arrangement only

18:00 MAWA Dinner Night

13:30 Clubhouse Beginners’ Spanish Conversation**

10:00-12:00 AWA Weekly Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA (Men of AWA) Coffee 11:30 French Conversation 12:00 Fluent German Conversation

14:30 Tour of Herend Gallery Vienna

** By arrangement only

12:30 Clubhouse Fluent Spanish Conversation

Krampustag

Coffee at Café Sluka 10:30 MAWA (Men of AWA) Coffee 11:30 French Conversation 12:00 Fluent German Conversation

18:00-19:00 Falun Gong

JANUARY- ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE EVENTS PLANNED! January promises to be busy! The tour, mentioned by Christian on his last date with AWA, of the Ice Cellar in the Hofburg, is scheduled for the 14th. The Blumenball is going to be a highlight for several AWA members and some of their spouses, on the 18th! Kilian Kröll, Director of Admissions at AIS, has invited us to tour the school, on top of a hill overlooking the Vienna Woods since 1959, on the 15th. Other tours: the Muth, home of the Vienna Boys’ Choir on the 21st and the Clock Museum on the 29th, a first for AWA, and Helene is also organizing a Tour and Talk at the Josephinum, before it closes for two years for restoration, the museum of medical teaching, with the most magnificent life-size wax models, the best teaching aid for medical students on the structure of the human body and birth processes before films were invented, will add to the programme. In addition, Rocelyn will be presenting another Culinary Experience with Teresa Benet showing us how to cook in the Spanish way and a Health and Wellness session by Pro-Corpore.

D E C E MJUNE B E/ HIGHLIGHTS R C A/ 2018 LENDAR

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

St. Nicholas Tag 10:00 Board Games 10:00 Bible Study

10am Christmas Party in the Clubhouse

13:00 English Conversation for Learners 14:30 Visit to Atelier Michael Fuchs, Klosterneuburg 16:30-20:00 Cooking for the Homeless 18:30 Ladies’ Wine Evening at Karlplatz Christmas Market

10:30 Singing Group

10:00 Board Games 10:00 Bible Study

10:30-14:30 Culinary Experience Italian Style with Marzia

19:00 Art in the EveningThe Weltmuseum

10:30 Singing Group Saturday 15 December 14:00 to 15:00 Handing out the Christmas parcels to the homeless and needy at the Franziskaner Christmas Celebration.

13 10:00 Board Games

CHARITY FUNDRAISING

WOOLLY HAT WRAPPING MONDAY, 3 DECEMBER

11:00 – 12:00 in the clubhouse

13:00 English Conversation for Learners

14 OFFICE/CLUBHOUSE CLOSED UNTIL Monday 7 January

13:00 Senior’s Luncheon at Frank’s Bar

Santa’s helpers are all welcome to wrap and label the 111 woolly knits which members have been busy knitting for the homeless. Christmas paper, ribbon and labels are waiting as well as coffee and Mimosas! No need to register, just come along and join the fun. BAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES FOR THE HOMELESS Wednesday, 5 December 14:00 to 17:00, Franziskanerkirche, Franziskanerplatz 4, 1010 Join us for an afternoon of Christmas cookie baking for the homeless. Under guidance of the soup kitchen organizer, we’ll be kneading, rolling, cutting and baking a variety of traditional Austrian cookies for the Advent celebration for the homeless and needy which is hosted by the church. We’ll receive a list of ingredients which we need to bring with us beforehand. Space is very limited, so please get in touch as soon as possible if you are interested. ireneschlegelmilch@gmx.net COOKING DINNER IN A HOMELESS SHELTER Thursday, 6 December 16:30 20:00 hrs in 1030 Wien We will be preparing an evening meal for 55 homeless residents in an emergency shelter. A homeless guide will source the ingredients, plan the menu and coordinate our evening tasks: preparing and serving a hot meal and clearing up afterwards. Contribution for the ingredients / guide is €12 per person. As well as providing a hot meal to homeless people, we also support the homeless guide with work and integration.

Cooking for the Homeless Eva, Nadia, Susan, Bridget, Hyacinth

14 T O U R S / T RJUNE/ I PHIGHLIGHTS S/ SO CIAL EVENTS / 2018 WOOLLY HAT WRAPPING Monday, 3 December 11:00 – 12:00 in the clubhouse Santa’s helpers are all welcome to wrap and label the 111 woolly knits which members have been busy knitting for the homeless. Christmas paper, ribbon and labels are waiting as well as coffee and Mimosas! No need to register, just come along and join the fun. CHRISTMAS HULA

Monday, 3 December, 12:00-13:00 The final opportunity to learn and practice a Christmas Hula (Mele Kalikimaka, Bing Crosby) before we perform it at the AWA Christmas Party on the 7th of December. It will be great fun. Let's do hula. Questions? urte. paulus@gmx.at /0676 676 5829

HEALTH AND WELLNESS- SECRETS OF A BEAUTIFUL SKIN Singerstrasse 4/12 Monday,3 December, at 13:00 AWA’s neighbour, Roshanka BeningerGholami, is the proprietor of the Strahlendschön Kosmetikstudio. She has transformed the flat into a beautiful place where one can pamper one’s skin and body! Come and learn some of her secrets. (in German only but translation possible) SIGN UP BY Thursday 29 November /0664 4586685/ Rocelyn Kielnhofer awavienna.publicrelations@gmail.com VEGGIE VIENNA: BRUNCH & PUNSCH Tuesday, 4 December at 11:00 Venuss, Herrengasse 6-8, 1010 Vienna Your choice - late morning coffee or early lunch. Join us at this new, cosy and chic vegan buffet cafe / restaurant. The food is delicious and healthy and there are lots of interesting dishes to try. Let’s end with a festive Punsch and browse through the Christmas market at nearby Michaelerplatz. SIGN UP BY Monday 3December ireneschlegelmilch@gmx.net / 06606404410 BEHIND THE SCENES VISIT TO HEREND GALLERY, VIENNA Opernring 1-5, 1010 (opposite the Staatsoper) Tuesday, 4 December at 14:30 Join Andrea and Balazs in their new venture with the famous Herend hand painted porcelain. This Hungarian manufacturer specializes in luxury hand painted and gilded porcelain. Founded in 1826 and based in the town of Herend, the Habsburgs and other aristocrats were customers throughout Europe in the mid-19th century. SIGN UP BY Friday, 30November awa@awavienna.com Sheila Hargreaves / 0676 755 9804

PROSECCO AND POPCORN MOVIE NIGHTBOOK CLUB Tuesday, 4 December at 18:00 in the clubhouse! Join us on the cosy sofas in the clubhouse to watch the film together over a glass of Prosecco and Popcorn. Book Club is a 2018 romantic comedy film. Four female friends read Fifty Shades of Grey in their book club and then begin to change how they view their personal relationships. It has a classic cast: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen. SIGN UP BY Monday, 3 December ireneschlegelmilch@gmx.net / 0660 6404410

BAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES FOR THE HOMELESS Wednesday, 5 December 14:00 to 17:00, Franziskanerkirche, Franziskanerplatz 4, 1010 Join us for an afternoon of Christmas cookie baking for the homeless. Under guidance of the soup kitchen organizer, we’ll be kneading, rolling, cutting and baking a variety of traditional Austrian cookies for the Advent celebration for the homeless and needy which is hosted by the church. We’ll receive a list of ingredients which we need to bring with us beforehand. Space is very limited, so please get in touch as soon as possible if you are interested. ireneschlegelmilch@gmx.net LADIES’ DINING EXPERIENCE Wednesday, 5 December at 18:00 Restaurant Hansen, Wipplingerstrasse 34, 1010 Join Annick to enjoy the Christmas decorations. www.hansen.co.at Please contact Annick directly by Friday, 7 December europolitan@chello.at Annick Gauthier / 0699 1968 8173 BEHIND THE SCENES MODERN ART Atelier Michael Fuchs, Hermannstrasse 12, 3400 Klosterneuburg Thursday, 6 December at 14:30 Travel by bus from Heilgenstadt Bahnhof to Klosterneuburg Kierling Bahnhof. Michael Fuchs was born in 1952, the son of the famous painter, Ernst Fuchs. Having spent his childhood in the USA, he moved to Austria in 1970 to study painting with his father at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.. He is married to the painter

T O U R S / T R I JUNE P S/ HIGHLIGHTS / S O C/ 2018 I A L E V E N T S 15 Cornelia Hagen and has two children, both also painters. His portraits hang in many US and European cities. Since 1990 he has lived and worked in Klosterneuburg. SIGN UP BY Monday, 3 December awa@awavienna.com

LADIES’ WINE EVENING Thursday, 6 December at 18:30 Our December Wine night takes us to Karlsplatz Christmas Market to sample Glühwein and Pünsch and meeting with friends old and new! One of the prettiest and most traditional Christmas markets is our goal this year. The meeting place is on the steps right at the front of the Church at 18:30. Otherwise call me to find out where we are drinking! /0650 3219146/ NB If the weather is really nasty, we will postpone and the information will be sent per email or put on the FB page! SIGN UP BY Wednesday, 5 December awa@awavienna.com OUTREACH ACTIVITY COOKING DINNER IN A HOMELESS SHELTER Thursday, 6 December 16:30 - 20:00 hrs in 1030 Wien We will be preparing an evening meal for 55 homeless residents in an emergency shelter. A homeless guide will source the ingredients, plan the menu and coordinate our evening tasks: preparing and serving a hot meal and clearing up afterwards. Contribution for the ingredients / guide is €12 per person. As well as providing a hot meal to homeless people, we also support the homeless guide with work and integration. SIGN UP BY Thursday, 29 November (spaces limited) awa@awavienna.com Eva Schlögl/ 06991 9079888 CHRISTMAS PARTY Friday, 7 December, 10 -12 in the Clubhouse Come and join us to celebrate a splendid year for AWA. Mince pies from the UK, sausage rolls from Margaret Willers, Falafels from Irene Schlegelmilch and scones from Bridget. Pünsch/ Glühwein and Kinderpünsch, plus the President’s special Christmas cake. As last year, we will sing carols again around the Christmas Tree and watch in admiration the Christmas Hula! Contributions of other Christmas finger food welcome. Sheila Hargreaves/ 0676 755 9804 ART IN THE EVENING Friday, 7 December at 19:00 The Weltmuseum, Vienna is the largest anthropological museum in Austria and hosts 200,000 objects, 100,000 photographs and 146,000 printed works from all over the world including world-famous artifacts such as Montezuma's headdress, and part of James Cook's collection of Polynesian art. We are joining the 7pm "Highlight tour" in English, so please be on time. Meeting point is in the lobby, a few

minutes before 7. Tickets are €12 (€9 for seniors 65+) SIGN UP BY Wednesday, 5 December Ida Vickers mail@idavickers.com, +4369917005573 BUCKET LIST IN THE CLUBHOUSE Tuesday, 11 December at 17:00 Can you think of some things that you have thought you’d like to experience “sometime in your life”, but have yet to make them a priority Whether it is the experience of driving through a car wash, jumping out of a plane, or hearing your echo from a mountain top, it’s time to take a look at making those things possible – no matter the ands, ifs, and buts. As a group, we can begin to develop and explore how to pursue our bucket lists. SIGN UP BY Monday, 10 December awa@awavienna.com Urte Paulus MAWA (Men of AWA) DINNER NIGHTS Wednesday, 12 December, 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 AWA CULINARY EXPERIENCE ITALIAN STYLE with Marzia

Friday, 14 December from 10:30-14:30 Marzia has had years of experience demonstrating Italian cooking to Expats in Kiev. She is now delighted to do the same for AWA Vienna members. Come and join Marzia and watch her prepare her native, delicious cuisine; three courses including dessert, with Prosecco, water or juice, followed by coffee/tea. Cost will be €25. SIGN UP AND PAY AWA BY Tuesday, 11 December awa@awavienna.com SENIORS’ LUNCHEON Thursday, 20 December at 13:00 Franks’ Bar, Laurenzerberg 2, 1010 Last luncheon of 2018 in an American venue!. SIGN UP with Phyllis Wieser directly 01 320 8418 / phylliswieser@aon.at HAPPY HOUR COCKTAILS AT THE MARRIOTT Monday, December, from 17:00 to 19:00 CASCADE BAR, Parkring 12a, 1010 Cocktails at ‘two for the price of one’ with the buffet costing only €5 for as much as you can eat! Friends welcome. Minoo and Sonja are our new hosts. SIGN UP BY noon on Monday, December awa@awavienna.com

FA W C O

JUNE/ HIGHLIGHTS / 2018 CONTRIBUTED BY LAURIE RICHARDSON

FAWCO News for December 2018 It is my pleasure to announce that Bev Bachmayer will be AWA Vienna's new FAWCO Rep. Bev joined me at the FAWCO Region 5 meeting in Heidelberg in early November, and we were together with the FAWCO delegation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in March in New York. Thanks, Bev! FAWCO Foundation Scholarships for 2019 AWA Vienna members are eligible to apply for FAWCO Foundation Education Awards if you have been a member for at least one year. There are awards for children, grandchildren or your continuing education. The forms and application are on The FAWCO Foundation website. The deadline is January 27 for awards to be granted in March 2019. UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), organized each year by UN Women, is THE global women's rights conference, with high-level government and NGO participation from around the world. In 2019, CSW will be from March 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 22 at UN Headquarters in New York. If you are committed to gender equality and interested in learning about the UN and NGO activism, I encourage you to take the opportunity to join the FAWCO delegation. If you want to learn more about the CSW experience, check out the UN Advocacy/Gender Equality/CSW blogs on FAWCO's website, or get in touch with me! The deadline to register will be January 18. FAWCO Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland FAWCO's Biennial Conference will be March 2124, 2019 in Edinburgh. AWC of Central Scotland, FAWCO and the FAWCO Foundation are working together to make this a truly inspirational and international Conference. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about all that FAWCO does, visit beautiful Scotland, and make new friends from around the world. Contact Bev or Laurie to find out more and to register! Laurie and Bev at Heidelberg Conference

AWA ACTIVITY GALLERY

Monthly Luncheon at Cafe Plafond

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS / 2018 ADVE R/ T ISEM ENTS

Sunday Service: 11:15 Rev. Matthew A. Laferty Sechshauser StraĂ&#x;e 56, 1150 Vienna tel: +43 1 895 8175 office@esumc.at I www.esumc.at U4/U6 LĂ¤ngenfeldgasse 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

M A K E T HJUNE/ E M O S T/ 2018 OF VIENNA HIGHLIGHTS C O N T R I B U T E D B Y B E V E R LY B A C H M E Y E R

December is a magical time in Vienna with all the festivities for the holidays. Plan ahead so you can visit all the markets, the Krippenschau and the many concerts.

61ST KRIPPENSCHAU 2018 AT ST PETER’S CHURCH (NATIVITY SCENE EXHIBITION) 25 NOVEMBER TO 16 DECEMBER.

CLAUDE MONET- IMPRESSION AND EMOTION Until 6 January 2019 www.albertina.at

BRUEGEL Until 13 January 2019 www.bruegel2018.khm.at

EGON SCHIELE. PATHWAYS TO A COLLECTION Until 17 February 2019 www.belvedere.at

FASCINATION JAPAN. MONET. VAN GOGH. KLIMT For the 61st time, the internationally known nativity scene show from pre-Christmas Vienna will take place. It offers visitors the opportunity to learn about nativity scenes and prepare for Christmas. The Wiener Krippenschau (Nativity Scene Exhibition) in the crypt of St. Peter’s Church, this year is provided by the nativity scene builder Franz Halper from Burgenland. http://krippenfreundewien.at/krippenschau-2018/

CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Until 20 January 2019 Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien https://www.kunstforumwien.at/en The full programme of events in Vienna in October can be found at this secure site. https://www.wien.info/media/files/ programmvorschau-dezember-2018.pdf Or at the English-Speaking website https://www.viennawurstelstand.com/

NEW YEAR’S CONCERT BY THE WIENER PHILHARMONIKER.

Rathausplatz market plus ice rink

30th (Dress rehearsal) and 31st December (New Year’s Eve concert) and Jan 1st 2019 New Year’s Concert Wiener Philharmoniker.

Spittelberg Market, (crafts)

Best way to see these is to watch on TV

Altes AKH Market (great Baileys’ Pünschstand)

How do you get tickets to the New Year’s Concert by the Wiener Philharmoniker?

Open in December, most until 23rd

Alt-Wiener Christkindlmarkt (Freyung) Maria Theresien Platz Belvedere Market (small and cosy) Karlsplatz Market (famous for crafts) Schloss Schönbrunn ( good for tourists) This website gives more details on other markets and their opening times: www.city-walks.info An indoor market with the most beautiful crafts can be found in Schloss Neugebäude open from 14:00 from 30/11 to 2/12, 6/12 to 9/12 and 13/12 to 16/12. The food and drink stands are outside with a stage for entertainments.

The Wiener Philharmoniker takes orders for the above one year in advance. Ticket orders for the annual end of year concerts of the Vienna Philharmonic (December 30, 31 ,2019 and Jan 1 2020) will be accepted exclusively on the Wiener Philharmoniker website, one year in advance, in the period between February 1 and 28, 2019. – Reservation only at: www. wienerphilharmoniker.at

M Y J O U R NJUNE E Y/ HIGHLIGHTS WITH 19 / 2018D E M E N T I A C O G N I H E A LT H CONTRIBUTED BY GIULIA MELCHIORRE

I have long been fascinated with the workings of the brain and questions like: What makes us â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;usâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? How do we learn? What happens when things go wrong? Whilst becoming a neuroscientist I studied the brain at many different levels. Very quickly I learned that studying and understanding diseases of the brain scientifically are very different to the human day-to-day experience of being affected by a disease. I came to realise that the smallest alteration within our brains can cause a cascade of changes to our personal and professional lives. Dementia is one of the consequences of these alterations. It is something that we have all heard of but perhaps have not taken the time to truly understand what it means. Most of us are affected by it in one way or another. Perhaps you know a colleague, friend or family member who has been diagnosed? But what actually is dementia? Officially, it is an umbrella term that describes a number of symptoms, including memory loss, as well as behavioural, psychological and physical changes. What the definition does not tell you is how these symptoms creep up on one and can affect everyday life.

A box of memories

Receiving a diagnosis means facing the unknown: every case of dementia is different and therefore no one can really say what will happen. Families that I met while working at a specialist Neurology Clinic, not only faced the struggle of accepting the diagnosis but more importantly the question of what to do and where to go for support.

Pooja, one of the students with whom I became good friends during my studies, experienced this first-hand. Whilst working as a carer, she spent time with many families affected by dementia, really understanding how it transforms family dynamics - both in good terms and bad. Personally experiencing the impact of dementia has strengthened our resolve to use scientific knowledge to develop a solution that enables families to live well with dementia. After all, this is not a local but a global issue. As a result of our experiences, Pooja and I founded CogniHealth, a healthcare technology company, where we combine our knowledge from research with innovative technologies to enable personalised care. We wanted to address the fact that every family affected by dementia will have a unique journey and, therefore, needs a personalised solution. Based on this we created CogniCare, a unique platform that can reach families across the globe, yet support their individual needs. It also allows families to monitor and track symptoms, provides access to personalised resources, events, services, non-pharmacological therapies and assistive products, and enables scheduling of day-to-day tasks and appointments. We recognise the importance of therapies that are available beyond medication. There is evidence that Music and Art therapy for example can greatly improve the quality of life for people with dementia. Similarly, having a healthy, balanced diet is very important and staying both mentally and physically active for as long as possible are key for brain health. We keep the person with dementia and their carers at the heart of everything we do, and to ensure that the needs of carers are met, we would love to hear from you. I am the daughter of AWA member, Andrea Melchiorre and I would be please to answer any questions or offer support via the AWA guilia@cognihealth.uk

G R A N DJUNE/ CHIGHLIGHTS AY M A/ 2018 N ISLAND C O N T R I B U T E D B Y LY N N B U E N E M A N N

When you arrive at Grand Cayman Owen Robertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Airport, two things are quickly apparent. First, one is confronted with the delightful tropical scent which is a mixture of warm, humid sea air and exotic plants and flowers. Secondly, people are driving on the wrong side of the road, i.e. you are in a British Overseas Territory.

My family and I were very fortunate to spend a week at the end of October on Grand Cayman. It turned out to be the best time of year to visit, as it is the tail end of hurricane season but right before high season. We were able to enjoy the iconic Seven-Mile Beach without the usual throngs of tourists.

However, in the distance, we could still catch sight of the gigantic ocean cruisers for which this paradise is a dream destination.

What struck me most about the island were the genuine friendliness of the locals and the vibrant international mix of residents. While the former provided for a warm atmosphere (they fell in love with our blond two-and-a-half year old), the latter makes you aware that you are amidst an international tax haven. The snorkeling was outstanding and the highlight of the trip was the daily discovery of schools of tropical fish and stingrays in a

nearby reef. Some of those fish may have found their way on our dinner plates, which was always a treat to enjoy on the beach where our son could play in the sand when sitting became too tedious. Being one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, it is no problem to take a stroll on the beach at night and to wander the white-sandy beaches taking in the breathtaking scenery and colors. We hope to have the chance to return to the Caymans in the future and take advantage of their extensive sailing and boating offerings, which are better suited for adults and older children.

T H R E E W E E K S JUNE O N/ HIGHLIGHTS S O L O/ 2018 MON ISLANDS

CONTRIBUTED BY TRAUDE WILDE

In the year 1595, on his search for the gold of King Solomon, the Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendaña discovered the Solomon Islands. Ever since, the tropical islands in the South Pacific have been a destination for adventurers and traders. Besides sandalwood and other goods, about 30,000 natives were shipped to Australia and to Fiji as slaves. The islands are also strategically important for the world powers. During World War II, some of the fiercest and most gruesome battles between Japan and America took place in this part of the world; the battle of Guadalcanal, for example, a turning point in the war.. How did I end up in the Solomon Islands?

I never would have travelled to the South Pacific if it had not been for my son Lorenz and his wife Ale, who live in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. I stayed for about a week in Honiara and saw the challenges expatriates encounter in this town. Offices are closed for no reason, doctors are not showing up, chaos and traffic jams on the only major street (with its many deep holes), trash everywhere, old abandoned cars beside the dirt roads, many young people with nothing to do, betel nut saliva on walls, and Chinese owned stores with low quality goods and unhealthy food. I could go on and on. However, Honiara, on the island of Guadalcanal, is only a tiny part of the group of 1000 islands, which are otherwise a paradise for nature lovers and divers. The people on the Solomon Islands (only about 350 islands are inhabited) speak 120 different languages. However, the general language used to communicate is Pidgin English, so I was able to talk with the natives. We took a crowded boat to Gatukai Island and stayed in the Driftwood Lodge as the only tourists. (Only about 6,000 tourists a year come to the Solomon Islands.) The stay was magical. In crystal clear, emerald green water, we swam with turtles, manta rays, and millions of fish of different sizes, shapes and colors.

The coral reefs are amazingly beautiful!

On our way back to our island, one of the crewmembers spotted a group of about 25 pilot whales beside our boat. We all jumped into the water and were encircled not only by pilot whales, but also by about 100 sharks. Nobody felt even a tiny bit of danger or fear. It was just beauty, gracefulness and elegance.

Gatukai Island is the home of the best carvers of the Solomon Islands. Formerly, they carved the guardian of war canoes, the Nguzunguzu, for the prow of their canoes. Now they mainly create turtles, sharks, fish, etc. out of ebony and rosewood with simple tools. It was hard to leave this place. We took a boat to Seghe and flew to Munda, one of the world’s best scuba diving places. Again, the coral reefs were breathtaking! However, they are threatened by ruthless logging. My three weeks in the Solomon Islands ended all too quickly. For more information and photos, visit Traude’s website simplyjustwalking.com

LATVIA- MYJUNE/ FASCINATING COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS / 2018 C O N T R I B U T E D B Y G U N D E G A VAV E R E - M I K U T E

Hi everybody! My name is Gundega VāvereMikute and I am a proud Latvian! We, Latvians, tend to think about Latvia as a small country, but no… from a statistical point of view it is a middle sized country with a territory of 64,589 km2 and around 2 million inhabitants. In comparison, Latvia’s territory is just a bit smaller than Austria but with four and a half times fewer inhabitants. As you can imagine, Latvians are used to a big personal space. 56% of the country’s territory is covered by forests and there is definitely lots of space to go and just be by yourself. Latvia has a land border with Estonia, Russia, Belarus and Lithuania. Our capital city Riga, a former Hanseatic League member, was founded in 1201 and its historic centre “Old Riga” is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also recognized by UNESCO that Riga has the finest collections of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings in Europe. We call this part of city a “quiet centre”, because it is mostly a residential area with a lot of embassies.

2018 is a very important year for us since Latvia celebrates its 100-year anniversary! It was established as an independent country on 18 November, 1918 and, although there was Soviet occupation after the Second World War for several decades, all three Baltic States managed to keep their legitimate powers in exile. For us the Latvian language is important. Long ago there were many Baltic languages, for example, Old Prussian, Semigallian, Galindian and Selonian but only two of them exist today, Latvian and Lithuanian. Historians say that Baltic languages are one of the oldest of the remaining Indo-European languages and we feel responsible for keeping Latvian alive for many more centuries. There are many reasons why people like to go to Latvia. One in particular is Nature. There are many possibilities for recreation, bio/organic food, silence therapy, open-air sport activities and more! And don’t forget about the forests covering more than half of the territory, with over 12,500 rivers, 3,000 lakes and the Baltic Sea within the Gulf of Riga. Yes, we are rich with water. We are

used to going swimming after a hot summer day, which literally means - every day. Many tourists, though, find our summers not very hot and the water colder than expected, but it is a northern country.

Latvia has the widest waterfall in Europe – Venta Rapid in Kuldīga which has a free natural spa underneath, and 500 km of sandy seaside beaches to walk along or lie down on. You can easily find a place where nobody disturbs you – with just you, the sea and the sand. Very relaxing, believe me! When you are close to the Baltic Sea, look for freshly smoked local sea fish definitely worth tasting.

You may have heard of the Amber Road which passes through the Eastern edge of Austria but you may not realise that the Baltic Sea is called the Amber Sea. It is true – wait until a big wind blows and then go to the seaside and look around. Indeed, there it is - amber, sand and amber again! Feel free to collect it, it is our northern gold. I would say it is even more beautiful. Only amber from the Baltic Sea contains amber acid [called also succinic acid], which is really good for health. Already in ancient times people recognised it and it was transported to the Mediterranean on the Amber road.

LATVIA- MYJUNE FASCINATING COUNTRY / HIGHLIGHTS / 2018 Latvia’s flag is divided in three coloured stripes: carmine-red – white – carmine-red.

Latvian Flag & Austrian Flag

The current flag design has been in use without any changes since 1280 and that makes it the second oldest in the world (only Denmark’s has been around for longer). Very often it is mixed up with an Austrian flag, but there are differences both in colours and proportions. The legend about the colours is the same – human blood on white background. Obviously, however, Latvians and Austrians have different colours of blood!! If you look for official information about religion in Latvia, you would see that the majority of people are Christians. It is true but there is an interesting mixture with paganism. On Christmas Eve, for example, we go to church for religious rites and then come home and start to follow ancient traditions, wearing masks (budēļi) and eating grey peas to avoid tears of misery the following year. Our biggest festival is Midsummer Night which is connected with fertility. The whole country is preparing for several days before with green markets and concerts, special songs and dances, with people in national costume everywhere. During the actual Midsummer night everybody goes outdoors

– into the countryside, in city centres, on top of hills singing and dancing next to bonfires. Hmm, and strangely enough, even nowadays, nine months after Midsummer night the biggest number of babies are born in Latvia… All in all, I hope I managed to raise some interest about my country – Latvia. You are most welcome to visit! And an additional incentive for those male readers who will read this article - Latvia produces more female models per capita that almost any other country in the world.

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

Ã&#x2013;STERREICHISCHE POST AG INFO. MAIL ENTGELT BEZAHLT