Mittwoch (Wednesday)

            I’m always waiting for myself to come up with a good introductory sentence to each of my blogs, but that has yet to happen. I just finished Skyping with my grandma and Uncle John. It was grandma’s first Skype experience. I think she’s a natural. I miss helping her with her gardening and listening to her tell her stories. I found out my schedule today for when classes start in a couple weeks. It really seems like the perfect schedule. I’ll be able to have a Psych class for my major, an art class for my minor, I’ll be able to continue with my service work through a public service internships, and surprisingly enough I’ll be taking a “Music in Performance” class. The music class was totally spontaneous because it was the only one that wouldn’t conflict with the others that I needed to take.

            I have so many thoughts spinning in my brain about this whole experience. It doesn’t feel real, but at the same time it feels all too natural to be living here. For instance, walking around the house in my PJs, grabbing a glass of wine, and sitting down to work on homework, I feel as though I have been living this way for years now. I also don’t feel like I should be living this way. I keep thinking back to my study abroad in Cambodia and India. These worlds are completely different from Europe. I love Vienna, but I fell in love with Cambodia. All I want to do here is smile at everyone I meet, but no one smiles back. I understand it’s the way of life here, but these are the moments when I wish I were back in Cambodia, where everyone smiles and they are the biggest smiles you have ever seen in your life. I don’t mean to be sappily nostalgic or to paint a picture that makes it seem I wish I weren’t here in Vienna. Sometimes I just feel confused. I have a habit of comparing my different travels, when I should be living each as a wonderful new adventure. From here on I shall make it my daily goal to do so.

            I had told you in an earlier post about going to the Hundertwasser Haus. This evening IES took a group to check out the Kunsthaus museum, where we looked at Hundertwasser’s paintings and building plans for environmental lifestyles. I’ve never been a fan of modern art, which is what I would call Hundertwasser’s work, but I did enjoy taking in his appreciation for nature through his paintings. I can’t get over how originally his mind worked. I’ve never seen such unique style in an artist’s work. I was thinking of Molly Moriarty the whole time I was walking through the museum. (She’s one of my best friends from college.) I think she has a mind like Hunderstwasser, in terms of art. Check it out, Molls! J

"A Rainy Day with Walter Kampmann" by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, taken from google images.

            So, onto a new day tomorrow. My group in German class must go to the Naschmarkt (outdoor market) tomorrow morning to buy fruits for class, while using our newly acquired German speaking skills for buying produce at the market. Then, we have to present our dialogue representing a potential buy at the market. Should be interesting. I should probably go memorize my lines.

Guten Nacht! 

Getting into the Swing of Things

            I’m quickly getting to the point where I can’t remember what I’ve done in a day. When I stop to think about it, it feels like the majority of my days are spent walking to and from U-Bahn stations. It takes anywhere between 20 to 45 minutes to get to various destinations, like a friend’s house for dinner or the out-door market. I know sometimes it can be about the same back home, but I think it feels different when I’m riding a subway everyday instead of driving. Oh boy, do I miss driving.

Since I last posted, I’ve already been back to the Film Festival twice. Friday night, Molly and I went to grab dinner at the festival and we watched a little bit of Alice in Wonderland, the ballet. My dinner reminded me of being back in Vermont. They have so many different foods to choose from at the festival, but I ended up deciding on the crepe and waffle stand. I got a ham and Gouda crepe with radishes. It’s something I can imagine having at The Skinny Pancake in downtown Burlington. Last night, I went back to watch “Carmen” with a lot of the music students. My friend, Elizabeth is one of them. She plays the violin, which I have yet to hear her play. I had a good time watching Carmen, but I was so tired that I almost fell asleep a few different times during its three-hour duration.

Last Friday, my German class also had a little excursion to the Palmenhaus Café. I finally got a taste of Apfelstrudel! I also tried the strongest coffee I have ever had, Einspänner with Shlagobers (hot coffee with whipped cream).  I must say, trying to converse in a different language needs a lot of confidence. I’ve been trying to think of how to describe my experiences with speaking German. I absolutely love speaking the language. I think it’s a very fun language. However, when I’m trying to speak to a native Austrian I freeze up. I sit there, knowing what I want to say and trying to translate it, but my brain just wants to keep throwing out my English words. So, by the end of this process I’ve spent a few minutes with a confused look on my face and the other person waiting patiently for my words. I think I just need to learn to let the words flow naturally, whether they’re correct or not. Oh well. I’ll figure it out eventually.

Now, don’t think you’ll walk away from one of my blogs without reading about my thoughts of food. I’ve actually been having a frustrating time with this favorite of mine. I thought I could cook, but after a week of living on my own I have realized that I know nothing of the sort. It also doesn’t help that I can always smell the delicious meals that my Austrian neighbors prepare wafting into my window. As I walk through the streets I smell all kinds of different delicacies, which naturally makes me want to eat (all day). I’ve spent quite a few hours in the past week walking around all the grocery stores, trying to think of what might go well together. I never thought I’d miss simple Jiff peanut butter so much, or turkey lunch meat or just plain chicken! My other dilemma is that I also just want to eat out wherever I go, you know, try as much Austrian food as I can. That’s not so easy in such an expensive city, where a lunch can cost around fifteen American dollars.

Yesterday, I went on a bus tour that IES prepared for us. We stopped first at the Belvedere palace, which is actually very near my apartment. My favorite part of the tour was the Hundertwasser house. It might be the most interesting thing I have ever seen. Hundertwasser turned to architecture after seeing the dismal apartment buildings that were being erected during his time. Hundertwasser claimed that there were no straight lines in nature, so naturally there is no straight part of the house. It’s so crooked inside that people have trouble keeping their beds and refrigerators leveled. The colors are so vibrant and mismatched. I would think it’s one of the most original buildings in the world. I’m definitely going back to spend more time looking at it. Let’s see, after that we drove through the modern part of the city, and finally headed up to a mountain to overlook Vienna. To get to this mountain we passed through Grinzing, a little part of the city known for it’s little Heurigens (restaurants where people enjoy their favorite wines). We also passed by a house that Mozart lived in shortly before his death. I can’t get over the never-ending excitement of all that can be found in Vienna.

The Belvedere, "The Beautiful View"

Hundertwasser Haus

Molly & me at the overlook of Vienna

I’m so thankful for today. It’s been the first relaxing day for me. Molly, Elizabeth and I found an English mass in Mexikoplatz this morning. It was a very nice mass and a beautiful church. This was actually the first mass I’ve been to since I left America. I have to say I could have cried walking into the church. Going to mass has always been something that can make me sad because of the connections I make with it. Mass reminds me of home and my family, and I sure do miss both! (But don’t think that I’m not enjoying myself in Vienna.) Well, after mass I came home, napped, watched Mamma Mia and cooked eggs for dinner.

Tomorrow is already my second Monday of German class! Whoa. 

Enjoying Vienna! August 23, 2012

            I couldn’t even begin to tell you how busy I have felt in the past few days. My intermediate 1 German intensive class started on Monday. Tomorrow we are taking an excursion to a Kaffeehaus to practice our German skills. I’ll continue with the class for about three weeks until we have a ten-day break, then our classes officially start on September 17^th. So far, a typical morning in my life begins around 7 am. I wake up, take a shower, eat my banana and peanut butter toast, and then head for the U-Bahn (think of the NYC subway). It takes us about 20 to 30 minutes to actually get to our school building, called Palais Corbelli. Corbelli built the palace as a place to have royal balls in when he vacationed in Vienna. It’s pretty neat. I get to walk up three flights of red-carpet-lined stairs to get to class.

IES has had so many activities planned for us that it took Molly and me almost two days to make it to the grocery store (which is conveniently located within a 5 minute walking distance from our apartment). One night we got to go to the Vienna Film Festival. That night they were showing the opera, “La Forza del Destino.” We could only guess what was happening, but we still had a lot of fun. The festival had so many booths set up for food and drinks right in front of the Rathaus (City hall). I got to try the famous “Kaiserschmarrn,” which are fluffy, chopped-up, raisin-filled pancakes served with a berry jam. They are so good that I could eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

The big screen in front of the Rathaus

Me, Elizabeth & Molly at the Vienna Film Festival

Yesterday, I went with a small group to the Kunsthistorisches (Art history) Museum where an IES professor told us a little bit about some of the paintings there. To any Klimt fans out there, Austrians are not so sure “what the big deal is.” The tour was a little rushed, so I’ll probably be going back on my own at some point. Last night the RAs showed us one of their favorite bars to go to in Vienna. It was a great night. I got to get a little dressed up and tried a few different 50 cent cocktails during happy hour. Don’t worry. I didn’t go crazy. That’s not the lifestyle here, and I’m enjoying that. The Austrians are a very quiet people. They know how to sit back and enjoy life.

Living in the apartment is going well. All of us roommates have been getting along fine. I still need time to get used to the quiet of the house, where I can hear everything from the neighbors outside to the doors creaking at night. It’s been so hot here too. I was not expecting 90-degree weather plus a non-air-conditioned apartment. It’s tough, but next week is forecasted to be in the 70s, so you can imagine how excited I am. I just got done doing my first load of laundry. Our little washer takes about an hour and a half to finish a load and then we must hang it all up on the drying rack. I’m currently enjoying my new favorite sweet: chocolate coconut cookies! 

Ciao! 

Orientation and Moving In!

            The past few days of orientation and finally moving into the apartment have been absolutely wonderful. I’m not going to say that I haven’t run into any bumps along the way. There are those many awkward moments of figuring out where I belong, but all around I’m having the time of my life. It may be premature to say such a thing, but I am in awe of this country. Orientation was basically filled with many lectures, meeting new people, eating great food and exploring the town of Mariazell (and also the Austrian way of life!). Mariazell is a beautiful little town set in the countryside of Styria (Steiermark). We played Austrian trivia for tons of Austrian candy, watched a traditional folkdance by some locals, learned how to waltz, and played Kegelbahn (Austrian bowling). We also got to explore Mariazell, where we visited the Heimathaus (folkart museum) and the legendary basilica, and bought medicinal schnapps and lebkuchen (gingerbread). There were quite a few sightings of the traditional lederhosen as well. One day we took a trip to hike around and see the pristine waters of a nearby lake. I couldn’t even begin to describe these picturesque places. They really do appear to come right out of a storybook. It’s unbelievable.

            I have to mention the many encounters with Nutella I have had since getting here. They put in everything and I had no idea it was such a big thing over here.  Let me just tell you! The other night’s dessert was a fluffy dough ball filled with warm, flowing Nutella served with a cranberry relish. The food is so pure and fresh here. I have so much more to try while I’m here. I’ve also been getting a taste of what it’s like to drink in Europe. I don’t even mind that I won’t be celebrating my 21^st American style. Walking up to a bar and simply ordering a Gösser doesn’t seem quite right, but I think I can get used to it. You haven’t had beer until you’ve had Austrian beer.

            Today was move-in day into the apartment on Eslarngasse, right near the center of the city (and conveniently very close to the IES center where my classes are located). This is all so new to me but at the same time it feels so natural. Molly, Carol and Maggie are my three roommates and they are wonderful! We have a nice little kitchen with a gas stove that we actually have to put a lighter to. I’ll be praying that I don’t leave a burnt down apartment at the end of the semester. And what do you know, the dining room is quaintly situated in the heart of my and Molly’s bedroom (let’s see how that one goes…) All in all it’s a small, but beautiful, Viennese apartment. I think it will work out just fine!

August 14&15, 2012 Travel Day

Well, my journey began in the Cincinnati airport with my mom, sister and uncle. We all hung out on the floor, taking pictures and laying down before it was time for me to go through security. I was facing 13 hours on three different planes and who knows how many hours sitting in airports. Tears joined my excitement as I left them standing and waving at me. I then made it to JFK where I unexpectedly had to check back in and go through more security. I hadn’t even been thinking about doing that again. It wasn’t a long wait at all before I was boarding the Turkish Airlines plane lined with faux hardwood floors and flowers in the walls. (Of course I had to pass through first class before getting to my lovely economy seat.) It wasn’t bad at all. I sat next to a nice lady planning to tour Istanbul with her church group and it didn’t even seem like 9 hours on the plane. Of course, being able to choose from the entire series of Harry Potter movies and eating and drinking not-too-shabby airplane food and drink did help. (By the way, they serve hazelnuts instead of peanuts on Turkish Airlines.) I think the little boy next to me in the other section of seats got sick on his chocolate cake, but I kept assuring myself it didn’t really happen. Well, that flight was over before I knew it and then I was in Istanbul waiting for my last leg of the trip to Vienna. They sure do things differently there. One thing was for sure; I couldn’t stomach the idea of buying a $10.00 Starbucks drink. So, I went without and waited at my gate until they unexpectedly flashed a “last call” boarding message on the screen. Everyone got in line at once and we were on our way. I definitely wasn’t feeling too great about another airplane meal by then. 

Finally! Vienna. I was seeing beautiful sights before I even landed. I got through customs and went to baggage claim 01, where supposedly the luggage from Istanbul was supposed to be. Well, I waited until I was the last one waiting and was sure at that point that I had fallen victim to poor airport service. I went to lost and found, trying to keep calm. “Ah! Madam, you must go to belt 3 instead of 1.” Thank you VIE for telling me that to begin with. No worries. All was well with the world. I had found my suitcase and here is where the adventure started. Lugging probably a hundred pounds worth of my belongings, I dropped off my big suitcase in storage and boarded the CAT (City Airport Train). Thank goodness it was a holiday in Austria, because if any more people had seen me struggling to get around the underground train system to find my hotel I might have just died. All I can say right now is that despite my struggles and doubts, I am truly glad to have arrived a day early to experience the process of getting around at least a little bit of the city. No surprise, the reception clerk at the Pension Lehrerhaus asked me if I was "Stillwell" right when I walked in and then proceeded to tell me that my uncle had called and “was very worried.” I settled into my room, let go of a few tears, took a shower and then tried a tasty little restaurant down the street. Who would have thought I’d be eating Italian my first night in Vienna? After dinner I couldn’t help but fall asleep and afterwards I was able to Skype with Uncle John. This might just have been the longest day of my life, but the journey is only beginning. Guten nacht!