Austrian sign language

Do you know that the University of Graz is the only university in whole Austria where you can choose sign language as a subject? Well to be honest there is another school in Linz only for sign language. But to get theit translation diploma they have to make a exam at the University in Graz! So many people try to learn different languages but so less try to be able to communicate with everyone in their mother tongue. I hope that this changes in the next years. There are many deaf people out there who would love to have a nice little chat or would appreciate the possibility to ask someone for help in a shop. But it is unbelievable how easy they can manage to understand what someone wants to tell them without the hearing person having a clue of sign language. It’s the endowment of empathy and the will to communicate that makes them break through every boundaries. So whenever you get the chance to learn a little sign language take it it’s totally worth it.

the home of my heart...

....my beloved home, Tyrol. There are so many beautiful places to explore. Just like St. Anton at the west end of Tyrol, a very nice place to spend some days in winter. When you go east on the motorway you pass Landeck. There is the "Kroneburg" a very old church with a fantastic view over the valley. Further on the road you directly come to Innsbruck the capital of Tyrol. A  small, historical city with so many things to visit. Next stop must be the Swarovzki factory in Wattens. The exhibition is always worth it. Last but not least everyone should have been at the castle in Kufstein, a high-light on the hill in the middle of the town. But that also means you reached the end of Tyrol. If you ever drive through Tyrol and you have some time left, I wish you a good time!

just for fun... ;)

Muuahahahahahah.....

Epiphany

The 6th of January is a very important religious tradition in Austria. In every town one or more group's of singers go from house to house. There they sing traditional songs and make their sign on the doors. That sign includes the first letter of the names of the Three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and the year date. It is also common to give them something to drink or to eat and donate a little bit. It also marks the last day of the holidays in Austria and the end of the Christmas break. When I was a child I was too in such a group. We dressed up with crowns and capes. Although it was really thrilling to me I still have it in good remembrance. But to be honest I would never do it again!

See you all tomorrow

Happy New Year...

Another year is over the new one has just begun...The hopes, dreams and purposes are as large as the coming year is long. Weather it is the start of a diet or the will to stop smoking everyone knows the good purposes that almost never come true. We wish to find the perfect job, the man/women of our dreams or whatever is the deepest wish of our heard. But why is this night so different and special to us? Maybe because we can let things end and take the New Years Eve as a new start. Or it is just another reason to make party, give promises to ourselves that we never keep and have an excuse to do things we would never do normally? In my case it is neither the first nor the second one. I like New Year only because I love fireworks and sparkling wine.

Wish you all a happy New Year 

Merry Christmas...

Every year on the 24th of December the people are exited and stressed at the same time. Have I bought all presents? Is everything we need during the holidays at home? But is this the real meaning of Christmas? I would say no. That's why my family and I decided years ago to not make us gifts anymore. We pool expenses together and donate it to "Licht ins Dunkel", an aid agency from Austria. The only exceptions are the kids they do get presents. On the Christmas Eve we go to the church and then we have dinner together. But no colossal meal with far too much food, like most families have it. We keep it small but nice and enjoy the time with each other. However it is each to their own and thats what matters in the end.

I wish you all a merry Christmas