Austrian Homecoming: Part 2
My family and I in front of the Austrian National Library. Educating kids big and small.
“It’s a funny thing coming home. Nothing changes. Everything looks the same, feels the same, even smells the same. You realize what’s changed, is you.”
Everyone remembers their childhood – whether it was good or bad. There will come a point in one's life where something will remind them of their youth, like eating a candy bar or the smell of perfume … and just like a snap of a finger, you've transported back in time. I remember the first time I went back to Austria with my husband after almost three decades. It was like a dream. I went back to the countryside village where my family and I lived in, Maria Anzbach; met up with my former classmates, visited the Volkkschule, the school I attended and said a prayer of thanksgiving in the church that we heard mass in every Sunday. It was then that I knew I had to bring my children along with me, for them to experience the country for themselves and make their own impressions.
A year ago, my husband and my daughters Liza and Amara then aged, eleven and seven, packed up our bags and went on a vacation of a lifetime. It was good that we left at the time that we did because the girl's ages were roughly the same age when my family and I settled in Austria all those years ago. We were all extremely excited! I couldn't keep my eyes off my kids because I wanted to see their expression as they encountered new things … a new environment, different kinds of food, different people – everything that I also came across as a child in Austria.
Waiting for our turn to check in at the airport in Manila.
Touchdown, Vienna. Immediately from the airport, we drove to Böheimkirchen which was our base while in Austria. Böheimkirchen is roughly forty minutes away from Vienna located in Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), a short drive to Maria Anzbach, the village where my family eventually settled. Böheimkirchen also happened to be within the area of St. Pölten where the Ironman 70.3 was held. It was also during this same trip that Alex took on the Ironman challenge and included this on our itinerary as well.
At Sigrid's house, my classmate from the Volksshule, Alex and I introduced Liza and Amara to her kids, Vinzenz and Helena and her husband, Leo. The children had just arrived from school -- on their own by foot -- something my kids never experienced in Manila. I gave them a taste of real independence when I allowed my girls to go to the village square and get some ice cream with Helena without any adult supervision. Wide-eyed, I saw Liza and Amara trail Helena, aged six, as she marched off on her own … and I smiled. Safety is never an issue in the Austrian countryside so long as the parents knew where the children were going. I wanted my children to feel and experience it for themselves.
The girls are excited to venture off by themselves!
Once we were all settled, I made sure that the girls immersed themselves in the life that I once knew – that of freedom, independence, and responsibility. I made it clear that chores needed to be done for themselves, such as making their own bed when they woke up, made sure that used plates and utensils were rinsed and brought to the dishwasher, and of course, cleaning up after themselves. There was no Yaya (Nanny) or house help to assist them with anything they needed. If they wanted to do something, they had to do it on their own. I, in turn, indulged myself in the kitchen, cooking and preparing meals, doing the laundry and keeping everything clean. I took pleasure in completing my daily domestic duties.
Introduction to Filipino cooking. Here I am with the girls cooking up Chicken Afritada for Sigrid's family to taste.
Our days would start off with a hearty but healthy breakfast made with freshly baked bread from the baker and a little assembly in the kitchen. On the table were home-made marmalade made by Sigrid, butter, soft-boiled eggs, and a few cold cuts and vegetables, topped off with warm milk, coffee or tea. After breakfast, my girls would go play in the garden while Sigrid and Leo's children were off to school and the former headed off to work. Midday would be spent in the grocery or a nearby farmers market to prepare the ingredients for lunch and dinner. Afternoon activities would vary. We would either be playing in the garden, picking cherries and strawberries (without the need to wash them) in between jumping up and down the trampoline or just be lying down by the yard and having a lazy afternoon. We would also go out for a drive and take the kids to St. Pölten, Maria Anzbach or Vienna; go walking around Böheimkirchen and getting ice cream on the way back. Evenings would be spent with Sigrid, Leo, Vinzenz, and Helena providing a good meal in the kitchen and indulging in a game night before finally preparing for bed.
With this kind of weather, who wants to stay indoors? Go outside and just jump in the trampoline!
Hungry? Let's go cherry picking in the backyard with a little help from Onkel Leo.
This is how children should spend their time: staying outdoors and soaking in the sun instead of being cooped up inside with their eyes glued to gadgets.
This is my one of my favorite pictures of the trip: Liza and Amara standing in front of the Volksschule in Maria Anzbach. Almost 30 years ago, I walked these same steps to get to school every day.
Shop like the lokals. The girls grabbing some food to go at the Naschmarkt in Vienna.
This is the life that I led back then, it was a simple, uncomplicated one. It was a life that I wanted my kids to experience even just for a moment.
After learning about our planned second homecoming, my parent's in law, and other family members from abroad joined us, and we took them around to see the country as the self-proclaimed lokal foreigner guide. Being fans of the movie The Sound of Music, we ventured to Salzburg, Hallstatt, Maria Anzbach and Vienna. While in Vienna, I was able to organize a dinner celebration merging my family in Manila and the family that I've created in Austria. It was such a memorable evening for me. Towards the tail end of our trip, I introduced Liza and Amara to Elfriede, my German tutor. She graciously invited our family to stay with her for a night. We stayed at the very same house I would spend my summers in as a child with her mom, Mama Rosa. Mama Rosa had passed away years ago, but her memories linger on. The final days of my second homecoming were spent with Sigrid and Leo along with Vinzenz and Helena while savoring the Austrian countryside. I wanted to soak everything in before we all left for Manila.
The girls attempting to sing "The Hills are Alive" with Wolfgansee or Lake Wolfgang in the background.
A picture by Alex's favorite gazebo this time with Liza and Amara.
The famous steps at the Mirabell Garden in Salzburg.
The gang's all here! The Dhimans and the Aquinos invade Austria! We're here with our Salzburg guide, Michaela Muhr from the Salzburg Experience.
At the beautful lakeside backyard of Captain von Trapp's house.
Liza and Amara by the Pferdschwemme or the Horse Pond.
The wrought iron gates of the Nonnberg Priory.
St. Peter's Cemetery, Salzburg.
Mirabell Garden, Salzburg.
At St. Michael's Basilica in Mondsee, the wedding church scene in The Sound of Music.
Hallstatt.
In Vienna with our tour guide, Brenda from Vienna a la carte.
One of the happiest moments in the trip was when both my families from the Philippines and Austria got together and had a great Austrian meal at a Heurigen. Every single person in this picture has made an impact in my life.
My German tutor Elfriede and Maxi greeted us as we drove up the mountian to Hochneukirchen.
Having my girls up in Hochneukirchen with me just like I did during the summer as a child gives whole new meaning to me.
A second homecoming wouldn't be complete without a get together with my classmates from the Volksschule.
In between best friends for life on the right is Sigrid and on the left is Alexandra both were dear classmates from the Voklsschule.
The tears fell when we said our goodbyes to Sigrid, Leo and Helena. Vinzenz opted to go to his friend's house. I can't blame him, it's always hard to say goodbye to those you hold dear.
Alex, Liza, Amara and I enjoyed our Austrian adventure, and I had mixed emotions going back to Manila. One thing's for sure though, we will definitely be back.
Once settled back in the Philippines, I reflected and talked about the trip with my girls. We took turns in asking each other questions, sharing our thoughts and feelings. In this conversation, I was amazed to find that they too had the same ideas and realizations as I did back then. As a parent, we sometimes want to have a chance to share the experiences of our childhood with our kids. Staying in Austria was an essential part of my life, and to have shared a glimpse of that with my children was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Our family and I have created memories that will last us a lifetime, those moments are truly priceless … I've seen it come full circle. The sights, smells, tastes, and reconnecting with remarkable people as I did as a child brought me back to the past. It's true, nothing much has changed, if at all, I'm the one who's changed. With my second Austrian homecoming, I came to see things in a whole new light, with a new set of eyes altered by time and experience … this time, I was hand in hand with my girls and making new memories with them.
