We enjoyed our train journey from Venice to Graz, in Austria. We shared a compartment with a lovely trio of Austrians who told us all about the scenery we were passing and what to see and do whilst in the country. In turn, they wanted to know all about New Zealand. They were really interesting to talk to, and we were surprised at some of their liberal views of various things - they were very pro everybody learning English, for example. We realised on the trip how little green we had been seeing - the grass is green in Austria, and there are mountains and lakes and cows and things. We hadn't realised we'd missed them until then.
Our hostel in Graz was lovely and modern and clean, and we enjoyed having a four bed dorm to ourselves. Another bonus on arrival was spotting a Baptist church directly across the road! In the morning we were even more excited, as we found a huge all-you-could-possibly-want breakfast buffet. After a cup of coffee and a stale roll at so many places in Italy, this was positive luxury - I'm sure we squealed with excitement.
The city of Graz is lovely - beautiful baroque buildings and a glockenspiel tower and the Schlossberg (ruined fortress on a hill). We enjoyed wandering about the town, and found a children's fashion show in a courtyard, watched the glockenspiel do its thing on the hour, sampled wares from many bakeries, and took the funicular up the hill. This was remarkably speedy and fun - the first of many trips on funiculars and cable cars. We do enjoy them.
Attending the church on Sunday was great. It was Mother's Day back in New Zealand, and turned out to be in Austria as well! We were slightly late to the service (I was trying to skype home), so we missed the one English hymn that they sang, but we could follow the general intention of the service, and it was hilarious to watch the Sunday School children sing 'Vater Abraham hatte viele Kinder' (Father Abraham had many sons). At the end of the service we had a nice time chatting to some of the congregation, and discovered another couple of Kiwis there who were staying at our hostel - a mother and daughter. It was really lovely to spend some time with some other Christians - they were such lovely people!
After three nights in the city we headed off to Vienna. . .
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2 comments:
Hi My name is Seth Bailey, And am planning to Be going to graz, I was curious about the Baptist church you mentioned,..an info on where it is would be appreciated, I would like to find a good Baptist church in th area, Thankyou, theomegawerty@hotmail.com
Hi Seth
Have a look at this link: http://www.jfgh.at/graz-e.php and look at the little map. The church is directly opposite the Youth Hostel. I don't remember the name of it, sorry, but it did say Baptist somewhere. I hope you find it and enjoy it!
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