After incest scandal, Austria prepared to defend its image

by Iva Skoch on

What comes to mind when you say Austria these days? Whether you like it or not, it is hard to forget that the country has had two high-profile abuse cases in a very short time and they have shared some bizarre details.

When the first one hit the newsstands and the world found out about Natascha Kampusch, an Austrian girl who got abducted and and remained in basement custody of her kidnapper for more than eight years, people thought it was a fluke. Every country has its weirdos.

The recent abuse case, however, in which a 73-year-old man held his daughter hostage for over 24 years (also in a basement) and had seven children with her, made people ask themselves: Is there something very wrong with Austria, the country that gave birth to Hitler?

It is not going to be an easy PR campaign for Austria to win. Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said today that he is prepared to defend Austria’s image: “We’re not going to allow Austria and its entire population to be held hostage by a single, barbarous criminal individual.”

Based on Austria’s recent history, I wouldn’t underestimate the power of a single, barbarous criminal individual. But that’s just me.

Where on Earth? Week 51 – Wolfgangsee, Austria

by Iva Skoch on

Good job, Kaca_Leach! It is St. Wolfgang, Austria. Something tells me it was not just a wild guess from you.

St. Wolfgang is a cute little town about an hour from Salzburg. It is a good base for ski trips in the northern Austrian Alps. Dachstein is close. Plus, the stands in the center of town sell possibly the best gluhwein (hot wine) I have ever had. Because of the lake, the Wolfgangsee, it is a good destination in the summer, as well.

Another 100 car pileup?

by Iva Skoch on

What is going on the roads of Central Europe this week, exactly? On Friday, I blogged about the Czech 100+ car pileup on the country’s major highway.

Today, AP reports that 50 to 100 vehicles slammed into each other earlier today in snowfall on an autobahn in western Austria. The accident happened on the westbound A1 autobahn between the towns of Seewalchen and St. Georgen.

Some victims are apparently still trapped in their vehicles because rescue efforts were hampered by snowfall. One person is reported dead, according to Reuters.

When going spring-skiing, watch out for spring-snowstorms. (Optimism aside, it is best to keep those winter tires on through April.)

Things named after Las Vegas casinos

by Justin Glow on

When I was in Vienna, Austria this past October, I made the trek out to the riesenrad, or giant ferriss wheel, with the idea that it might be fun to see the city from way up high. Unfortunately they were charging something like EUR10 for a ride, and I was on a budget. So instead, I elected to browse around the shoddy amusement park next door, and was tickled to run across this architectural homage to Las Vegas (above) crammed in between the bumper cars and tilt-o-whirl.

The amusement park turned out to be a real treat. It was nearly empty, and overweight men with cigarettes dangling out of their mouths sat around waiting for someone to ride the rusty ride they were operating. It reminded me of the type of place you’d meet someone to discuss a murder. They even had a carousel with real, live horses that walked in a circle! The icing on the cake, however, was a young boy riding the bumper cars by himself. The poor chap had nobody to bump into.

Anyway, I ran across this link called “Things named after Las Vegas casinos” that reminded me of the photo above. Check it out. (Via Neatorama)

World’s Largest Ice Caves

by Neil Woodburn on

Ice caves are very different from normal caves. They have a strange feeling about them, as though they are not from this planet, and one has just temporarily stepped into their world when spelunking their depths.

There are many ice caves throughout the world, but the Eisriesenwelt Ice Caves in Austria are some of the largest known to man. They are located within the Tennengebirge Mountains near Salzburg and stretch for a remarkable 40 kilometers. Only a portion of the labyrinth is open to tourists but it’s enough to get a taste of what the remaining network is like: a truly mesmerizing palate of Mother Nature’s handicraft.

For a photographic journey through these amazing caves, click on the link below and delve into the icy realms of Eisriesenwelt–the World of Ice Giants.