Travel and Food

Vienna: Pay with a Poem

March 21, 2016 Leave a Comment

Living in Vienna is a dream come true, and there is always something going on, like Julius Meinl’s Pay with a Poem campaign for World Poetry Day. Here’s the video ad that stopped me from skipping to the youtube video I wanted to see.

As a lover of words, I’m so behind this idea, and I only wish I loved coffee and tea more. This isn’t just happening in Vienna, though. It’s happening wherever Julius Meinl is served.

I’m hoping to take part in this Pay with a Poem campaign, despite my dislike of poetry. And no, not for the free tea or coffee, but because it’s cool to be a part of something that’s bigger than we are.

Words are life-changing. So’s a warm beverage.

The beauty of poetry is the fact that it’s both defined by rules and yet celebrated for its whimsy and emotion that break rules. If the idea of writing a poem overwhelms you and you’d rather reach for your wallet, allow me to challenge you to writing a poem.

Poetry Writing Tips (from someone who’d rather not write poetry)

Choosing a subject

Think of a recent time where you felt a lot of emotion. Were you angry? Happy? Sad? Start there.
Is there something inspiring or depressing that needs to be expressed? Start describing it.
Why not tell a story like Dr. Seuss?
Have a special someone? Write about them and how they inspire you.

To rhyme or not to rhyme

Rhyming. It can be a challenge, but it brings that extra sparkle power to your words or maybe it makes you feel like you’ve actually written a poem. If that’s the case, just go for it. Enjoy the process.
Not rhyming. It’s not essential for a poem. You can employ repetition or keep track of the amount of syllables in each line to create a certain sound to your poem without a rhyme.

Don’t be afraid to edit

Scratch out your words and upgrade them. Your first draft doesn’t have to be final.
Maybe your edit is a doodle in margin. Go with it.
It’s fine not to edit your creativity.

I am not a poet, but these are ways that I prompt myself when someone throws down the challenge to write a poem. Sometimes the art begins right at your fingertip but other times you have to brainstorm it into being.

If you were able to take part in this, I’d love to read your poem. Comment below or tag me on Facebook or Instagram. Happy Poeming!

March 2016 Inspiration

March 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

Fresh-water tears sink earth-deep, and in their wake, flowers push up and out.

March signals the onslaught of pastels, plastic Easter eggs, and tulips. But, I like March best because my sister was born in this month. And despite trying to hide her under building blocks when she was a baby, I now think she is pretty much one of the best people that ever happened to me. She’s inspiring, but that requires a whole different post.

So far this month has been marked with rain. Lots of it. I’m starting to wonder when I’ll grow duck feet and feathers to deal with the constant downpour. In the mean time, I sip tea and listen to sad music.

Why? Because sad music is beautiful for a rainy day. So allow yourself to be inspired by the earth’s tears.

Current Jam:

My flatmate introduced me to Sleeping At Last and their phenomenal covers. I cannot get enough of them and their soft croons. Climb inside their music and stay a while.

Current Read:

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James snagged my attention at a book store in Estonia. The cover and back copy induced me to find myself a copy of this old classic. Although classics are not as fast paced as books written in this century, they craft such subtle and powerful story lines. I like Isabel Archer, the protagonist in this story, because she is a counter-cultural individual everywhere she goes (she doesn’t even fit her home country).

Current Food:

Brie has been a love for years, but I had never tried brie with radishes on a slice of toast. This combination struck my palette with a delightful radish-spark of freshness and the more solid creaminess of Brie. It’s my newest favorite.

Current Obsession:

Ballet is a lifelong love, and Vienna has so many ballets to offer. And the ballet season is reasons 3-20 as to why I enjoy the colder portions of the year. If you haven’t been to a ballet this year (or at least some type of live performance), it’s time to do it!

Quote for Today:

Maybe your heart is bright today. Maybe it’s bundled tight with mountains, dragging you down. No matter where you are in your spring voyage, keep that head up and lean in. There’s more to learn and more to do and more to love about life.

Water-sprinkled blessings on your March.

Awakening in Innsbruck, Austria

February 18, 2016 Leave a Comment

Two nights. One day. Basically, the 24 hour guide to exploring and enjoying Innsbruck, Austria.

I have a few friends that wonder how I travel so much. How is it that you visit these places you’ve never been to before? It’s simple really. I commit.

Buy the transportation ticket and reserve a place to stay.

My friends and I opted for train tickets using the OEBB SparSchiene. This website offers cheaper train tickets than the main website. And we rented a bedroom in a shared flat on airbnb. So far, I’ve loved airbnb for it’s accessibility, character, and fun options.

If you haven’t signed up for airbnb yet, click on this link to receive 22 euros in credit!

That’s the first and most critical step. It’s the thing that will make you pack your bags even though you’re tired, feeling uncertain, or just want to stay home in your pajamas for the weekend. You spent money. All the other details will fall into place whether or not you researched ahead of time.

Always keep your eyes open for fun little details.

Purchase the Innsbruck Card.

Sometimes I want to steer away from the things that the city already provides to you, but this isn’t one of them. We purchased the 24 hour card for 33 euros, and we asked for it to begin it’s use at 10 am on Saturday. The card not only gives access to the city transportation, but it also permits free entrance into many museums and other attractions. You can read more here.

Ride the cable cars to the mountain top.

Within 20 minutes, you can be transported from city center to mountain top with Innsbruck’s cable car system. With windows all around, the view is stunning or terrifying depending on your fear of heights. Follow the skiiers when changing cable cars. This trip is included on the Innsbruck Card.

Aren't you curious by my expression of awe? Guess you have to go to Innsbruck. photo by Erin Heizelman — Aren’t you curious by my expression of awe? Guess you have to go to Innsbruck.
photo by Erin Heizelman

Visit Swarovski World.

Catch the green-you-can’t-miss-it bus to Swarovski World from the train station. Check out the shuttle timetable here. Enjoy 25 minutes of Innsbruck scenery. Once at Swarovski World, be sure to show your Innsbruck Card to the ticket office. They will give you a free pass to the art exhibit located behind The Face. Swarovski offers many different options for amusement, but we only stayed on location for about an hour before hopping back on the shuttle.

Hop on and off the sightseeing bus.

At the train station and various other locations around Innsbruck, you can board the sightseeing bus with your Innsbruck Card. The bus is red. You can’t miss it. Bring your own headphones because the buses are outfitted with language-specific audios at every seat. This bus tour was a nice rest for my feet, and I may have spread out across the five seats in the very back (Someone has to be that kid).

Hop off the bus and explore Schloss Ambras.

Present your Innsbruck Card at the ticket office to receive your ticket to explore the castle armory museum and then the main building itself. Strolling peacocks in the garden make for fun photo opportunities, too. But, what I found most interesting at Schloss Ambras was the portraits of hairy people and the secret marriage of Ferdinand II to Philipine Welser.

Stroll through the city and visit the Inns River.

Innsbruck is just gorgeous so make sure you build some time into your schedule just to explore by foot. One of my favorite views was definitely on the Inns River. See the infamous Gold Roof.

For our meals, we ate at…

Der Bäcker Ruetz – This chain is throughout Innsbruck, and it offers tasty options for breakfast and even lunch if you so desire. I opted for some filled donuts or krapfen.

Ludwig, Das Burger Restaurant – These burgers were every bit as delicious as they appear from the window. It’s a hipster-like place with cool decor and sweet potato fries. Definitely a win. Website here.

And we ate at one other restaurant that was just around the corner from the Gold Roof, but I naturally have forgotten the name of the place nor can I find it on Google currently. I really need to remember to take pictures of the places I eat at!

Reminder: If you travel on Sunday or want to sight see on Sunday, remember that most shops and stores will be closed. Make sure to plan around this. We bought food from a grocery for our Sunday train on Saturday.