Christa's Journal—The Unexpected Turn
The memories of our journeys along Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway stayed vivid in mine and Christian’s minds (see column in Apr ‘25). Back in Austria, we returned to our daily routines, working and making ends meet, but the thrill of those adventures refused to fade.
One day, out of the blue, we asked ourselves: “Should we move to the U.S.?” I can’t remember whether it was Christian or I who said it first, but suddenly, the idea was on the table. Could we really move halfway across the world, leaving everything behind to start over? The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. Our roots in Austria were deep—parents, siblings and their families, cousins, and friends. Yet, the call of adventure was stronger.
In hindsight, not knowing what we didn’t know was probably a blessing. After countless discussions, weighing the pros and cons, and heartfelt talks with our teenage sonsManuel and Florian—we decided to take the leap.
In 1999, we packed everything we could, including our motorcycles, photography equipment, and whatever else fit into a shipping container. After a goodbye party filled with laughter and tears, we set off for a new chapter. It was a moment filled with excitement and apprehension as we stepped into the unknown, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.
We chose to settle in the Triad area of North Carolina due to its vibrant business landscape accommodating our plan to open a photo studio. We were relieved to find good schools for the boys, and we found a home in Clemmons, NC, where we still live today. But at first, the house was bare—no furniture, no appliances, nothing. One of our first challenges was finding a furniture store. It seems funny now, considering North Carolina is known for its furniture industry, but at the time we had no idea. We saw large, unfamiliar shops and weren’t sure what they sold. Thankfully, our neighbors became our invaluable guides in those early days.
A Different World
We quickly learned that nearly everything in America worked differently—from banking and phone services to taxes, shopping, customs, schools, and much more. Finally, the school year began, and there was an open house where classes and teachers were introduced. Parents could visit the classrooms according to their child’s schedule, so we followed along. However, instead of sticking to the exact order, we chose to go to the nearest classrooms on the list to save time. Why rush across the campus if a class is right there? We didn’t realize until afterward that we were sitting in the wrong classrooms because the scheduled times didn’t match up.
I remember when a neighbor invited Christian and me to a house party. It began at 8 p.m., and we enjoyed getting to know everyone over snacks and drinks. By 11, most of the guests had left, but we stayed, thinking the night was still young. After midnight, we finally went home. Only years later did we learn we had overstayed our welcome; in Austria, parties don’t end until everyone decides it’s time. My father-in-law used to joke, “Turn off the lights when you leave.”
Understanding the banking system was another obstacle. Building our credit history proved especially difficult. We didn’t have credit cards to keep our spending under control and manage our finances carefully. It took me a long time to realize that having and using credit cards was essential; simply having a savings account wasn’t enough.
Despite it all, we found our footing. We secured a location for our photo studio in Winston-Salem, started our business, and slowly built a strong reputation and customer base. On weekends, we rode our motorcycles through the Blue Ridge Mountains, exploring winding roads, charming towns, and scenic overlooks. Each ride strengthened our bond with North Carolina—our new home—as we made friends and embraced this exciting chapter in our lives.