In which we act like we are being interviewed when in reality we are sitting on the couch and Derek is half asleep
What is your favorite meal you’ve had while abroad?
Derek: In Salzburg at a restaurant on a hilltop, I had my first plate of chicken schnitzel. It came with jam and lemon and it was the first time I’d had schnitzel with those sides and it was delicious. It really brought it all together, you know?
Sam: I am positively evangelistic about a bowl of ramen I had while in, of all places, Bratislava, Slovakia. The restaurant is Bistro Soho.
What is the best change to your daily life you experience while in Austria?
Derek: Oh! Not driving. Never needing to think about how to get somewhere. You walk out the front door and all you have is keys, phone, mask, and you can go anywhere. You don’t have to plan ahead. I like that a lot. thinks for a while Actually, wait, here’s one. Tax is included in everything, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Sam: I agree – the abundance of public transport. It feels more free than driving. And, restaurants and eating out are generally less expensive than in the US. It’s a societal priority, so it stays relatively affordable.
What is your favorite book you’ve read in the last four months?
Derek: We Are The Weather by Jonathan Safran Foer.
Sam: Anxious People by Frederick Backman. That is a beautiful book. It reminded me why I like to write.
What cultural difference do you find most challenging and/or what is the worst cultural faux pas you’ve made?
Derek: I mean… you already wrote about my worst one. I’d say my worst cultural faux pas was standing on the wrong side of the elevator and getting karate chopped out of the way. Maybe how hard it is to leave a restaurant because of how hard it is to pay? That’s not that big a deal but it can be tricky.
Sam: Generally speaking, Austrian social culture is not especially open. We’ve had a fabulous time making friends with other expats but it is challenging to get to know Austrian people. I just want to strike up conversations on the subway, ya know? But I would get weird looks.
Current go-to song?
Derek: Let It All Out (10:05) by Coin.
Sam: Dark Days by Local Natives.
What weekend trip location has been your favorite?
Derek: Oh. Hallstatt. It is extremely beautiful, it’s a small town, and we got to drive a boat around the lake.
Sam: I would agree on Hallstatt, but to mix it up I’ll say Bologna. The amount of spaghetti bolognese we consumed in two days…
Favorite coffee shop to sit in? What do you order?
Derek: Balthasar is right down the street and great. I always get a Swedish knopfl.
Sam: I like Coffee Pirates. It’s cute, there is plenty of seating, and it’s open on Sundays. A dirty chai, of course!
Favorite dessert you’ve had?
Derek: Oh my gosh, at the Persian restaurant we went to I had a phenomenal baklava. So good.
Sam: The famous Salzburger nockerl, which is essentially a meringue soufflé with raspberry sauce crafted into three little towers and dusted with powdered sugar in honor of the three snow-covered mountain peaks close to Salzburg.
What are you excited to do when we are home in Seattle for Christmas?
Derek: I’m excited to see family and meet my niece! Maybe drive a car… kind of. Not really. Go to Stone Way Cafe in Wallingford for brunch. But mostly, family.
Sam: Hang with people we love. Strike up a conversation with a stranger. Drink a smoothie that isn’t just straight up juice. Eat Qdoba!