Grüß Gott Winter, Pfiat di Herbst

Hello Winter, Good-bye Autumn

The past week has grown increasingly cold, grey and blustery in Wien. We’ve scampered through all types of precipitation from downpours to snow flurries. We even experienced a couple thunder/lightening storms while it was snowing.  So, as we offer “Grüß Gott” to Winter, we also bid “Pfiat Di” to Autumn. 

The “Pfiat di” phrase (or the less oft used “Pfiat di Gott”) is frequently uttered at the closing of a conversation.  Depending on the Austrian it sounds something like “Fear-dee,” or “Fit-dee,” or a nice spitting “Pfffffffffffidi.”  Until recently we were at a loss as to the exact meaning of this farewell.  Our American friend here in Wien solved the mystery our Austrian friends could not!  “Pfiat di,” shortened from “Behüte Dich Gott,” is the good-bye cousin to “Grüß Gott.”  So, when you commence a conversation with “God’s Greeting” you conclude it with “Pfiat di” meaning, “May God look after you” or “God protect you.”    

The photos on this blog post are a fond farewell to Fall; Pfiat di Herbst!

Soaking in the Autumn sun in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Enjoying the Bratislava Castle grounds and view of the Danube.

There has been some sort of camp/castle/palace/fortress/bastion on this site since 2800 B.C. 

Location, Location, Location...

The tree outside our apartment window. The leaves remained green until the middle of October.  They then suddenly splotched with yellow, turned completely gold, and dropped within a week.

Loving the season; loving each other - in Prater Park.

Strolling along the Danube canal.

A relaxing walk in the Wiener Wald with our friends Petra and Edwin.

Even Franz Joseph I, seen here as he tends his Burg Garten, is getting saying "Pfiat di" to Autumn.

Grüß Gott Winter!  This photo was taken outside the Radiokulturhaus, where the Austrian equivalent of NPR (including all the LIVE music) is housed; hence, the giant mosaic ear.

Our first Austrian snow flakes - seen in the wee small hours of the morning during a smashing dinner party.  Skadi (the goddess of winter) was certain our camera didn't slip out of our hands as we were leaning out the fourth-story window to snap a photo.