Warum nicht?
By far, the most common response to our "We're moving to Vienna!" announcement to date is some version of the question "why?" It usually follows the statement - "That's so exciting" or "Wow, what great news" - but it's never far behind. And it makes me nervous.How could such a simple question, "why?" give me pause, cause me to stammer "um" and "uh"? Because I'm not sure that even I know the full answer to the question, so how can I explain it to others? And because I'm not sure the answers I do have will strike everyone as logical or reasonable. And I very much like to be seen as logical and reasonable.
Why move? Why Vienna?
- For a job? No, neither of us received a job offer in Vienna. The decision to go came first, the job search will come second (or third, or fourth).
- Why Vienna, of all the places in the world? Because we found out we know people who know people there. And we heard that it's a good city to start in if we need to slip into speaking English at times to get by. See - there is the reasonableness, the logic. Very practical. Connections and communication.
- But why move at all? To experience a different culture. I have this idea (perhaps a romanticized idea, but anecdotes from others seem to confirm it) that life in Europe, even in a larger European city, is different from life in America. I haven't experienced anything other than life in America and I feel at a loss for that. I want to know more. More than a 2 week vacation could teach me.
- We're not anchored where we are right now by careers or children or a mortgage. And so, it seemed like a good time to explore. Together.
- And, well, have you seen pictures of Vienna? Read about the architecture, the music, the history? It sounds (and looks) like such a rich, magical place, and everyone I've talked to who's been there gets this dreamy look and thrill in their voice that's hard to ignore. I had never thought twice about the city before this began, but now I can't imagine going anywhere else.
Warum nicht. Why not.
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5 comments:
Brilliant.
Good to know. No worries. You´ll find something to do. Vienna is a really beautiful city and I´d be happy to help you out with getting to know people and with job search or school.
funny, you linked vienna review and women´s career network. I write for the paper and i´m a webmaster for WCN. I also knew the person who started the ether magazine so funny.
Other good sites:
www.virtualvienna.net
http://op-expat.com/
http://www.austriantimes.at/index.php
http://www.vienna-expats.net/
http://www.vienna.at/service/stadtplan
(to get around in Vienna)
Those are all excellent reasons! I can't wait till you get there and share your adventures with us. So glad I've discovered your blog. I'll be checking back!
@Anna C - wow. Thanks for the advice and the offer of help...it's lovely the connections that can be made....and funny that you're involved in several of the things I've found helpful so far in my planning and research. Looking forward to more.
@Rockridge Life.....thanks to you as well! The votes of confidence are wonderful and I can't wait to share more about the experience. Thanks for reading! P.S. I'm a big fan of your blog as well.
My husband and I dream of the day we finally get off our butts and head off to Europe. We live in New England but have never felt quite at home here. We got engaged in Vienna, honeymooned in Switzerland, and travel to Europe every December to explore a new place. We have all sorts of excuses for not picking up an going - dogs, a mortgage, and a baby on the way. It seems the logistics are all overwhelming and I hope to follow your story and watch your dreams come true. I will check back.
Amanda
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