Corfu!

 Let me introduce the family I'm staying with. First, there is Alma, who was my nanny. She is absolutely lovely. Fluent in 3 languages, she worked as an interpreter and now teaches English. We can talk for hours; both of us LOVE to talk. Then, there is her husband Braco. He is an architect and looks a little like a rock star with his long hair and signature silver sunglasses. He's a little quieter, probably because Alma and I talk much. He is helping me learn German and I am helping him improve his English. Then of course, there is Ian. He is 5 and full of energy. His favorite food is ice cream and he is currently obsessed with the movie BOLT.  Ian does not speak english, but I am learning the important Bosnian words like ice cream, which is sladoled. And he is slowly agreeing to say small phrases like "good morning" and "thank you." We will be friends by the end of the summer, I can tell. So that's the Memic family. 

Less than 36 hours after my arrival in Vienna, I was back on a plane to Corfu with Ian, Alma, and Braco. Corfu is a lovely Island in the Ionion Sea, near Albania.  Most days started out the same: A late breakfast, then a drive on a narrow road through charming Greek villages to the beach. We would spend hours on the beach relaxing, reading, playing in the sand, and swimming (when we could stand getting into the cold water). One day we were having so much fun that we stayed at the beach until 8 pm without realizing how late it was. Beach days were always followed by extravagant dinners at local restaurants. One night we went to a fish tavern and much to my surprise, I was served a whole fish, head and all. This was the first time I would consider eating such a meal--if you don't believe me, there's a video. Another night we went to a  cocktail bar and were serve drinks with sparklers in them... Ian loved that. This was such a relaxing vacation. We woke up when we wanted, went to the beach when we wanted and left when we were tired. There was no schedule. I'd say it was practically perfect. 

I think the best time spent was time in the Capital, Corfu City (Kerkyra in Greek). We spent several nights walking through the market place, looking at the jewelry or wood shops or sipping drinks at small cafes.  There is really no way of describing it. I felt a little bit like I was in Mexico, with a Greek flair. But that  hardly captures the spirit the city.  I have really never been anywhere like Corfu City, or Corfu for that matter. 

I can't wait to explore Vienna and get adjusted to life here. As I write this, I'm sipping expresso and watching the soccer game (or should I say football?) with Braco. Tomorrow the real fun begins with my very own bus pass and a trip downtown!