Leibnitz
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Day 148: Good day from sunny Leibnitz! It’s a balmy 21.38°C but feels like a slight chill of 20.77°C – the sort of weather that tickles my gnome beard! The sky’s as clear as my unblemished gnome reputation. With 46% humidity, it’s drier than my wit, and the wind is barely faster than a snail at 3.13 m/s. Perfect for a gnome on a stroll, although it keeps blowing off my pointy hat! Remember, you’re never fully dressed without a smile…or in my case, without a gnome hat! #GnomeLife #LeibnitzLaughs
Gnome Among the Grapes
Maribor with its Slovenian charm bid me adieu as I set foot towards Leibnitz, the wine city of Austria. The journey was short yet filled with fascinating landscapes. However, one observation stood out from the rest. As I crossed the border, the language of the land changed. It was intriguing to witness how a mere geographical line could bring about such a shift in culture and communication.
In the midst of my journey, I found myself in a vineyard, surrounded by lush grapevines. As I strolled through, a local was humming a tune, “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht“, ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’, a popular Austrian Christmas carol. The peaceful ambiance of the vineyard, coupled with the soft melody, added a surreal touch to my expedition.
This journey added 27.0km to my total distance traveled, making it a total of 4472.7 kilometers since I started my journey 147 days ago. From the vibrant city of Zagreb to the prehistoric town of Krapina, followed by my recent stops at Maribor and now Leibnitz, every city has added a unique chapter to my travel diary.
As I continue my journey, I am reminded of a quote by Austrian philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, “Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt“. It means, ‘The limits of my language mean the limits of my world’. This journey has been an opportunity to push those limits, to explore and embrace the diverse cultures our world has to offer.
Bis zum nächsten Mal! That’s ‘Until next time!’ in German. Stay tuned for more tales from my travels.
Wandering Leibnitz’s Streets
Gnome’s Petite Palette Ponderings
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Leibnitz.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Leibnitz: Waltzing with Grapes!
Nestled within this city is the Südsteiermark, a picturesque wine region. Here, the grapes dance to the tunes of the famous Austrian composer, Johann Strauss II, as if in a beautiful waltz. The wine, much like his composition “An der schönen, blauen Donau“, is a melodious symphony of flavours. So, when in Leibnitz, raise a glass and say “Prost!” (Cheers!) to the city’s timeless charm.
Vineyard Ventures: Gnome-sized Gourmet!
In the heart of Austria’s wine country, Leibnitz charms with its unique food scene. The region is renowned for its Weinstraße (Wine Road) where vineyards serve up homegrown vintages with traditional Styrian dishes. From “Beuschel” (a ragout made from lung and heart) to “Käferbohnensalat” (scarlet runner bean salad), the food here is hearty and honest. The star of the show, however, has to be “Kürbiskernöl” (pumpkin seed oil) known as “black gold”. Drizzled over salads or used for frying, it gives every meal a nutty, aromatic kick. “Mahlzeit!” (Enjoy your meal!) It’s a gastronomic journey you’ll remember, even if, like me, you’re just a gnome-sized taster!
Gnome’s Glimpse: Leibnitz Landmarks
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 