Fun Fun Fun!

            I think it’s been too long since I’ve blogged. I must begin by telling of my first real experience with speaking German the other day. Now, in the past, I have never cared what my feet look like, but ever since I got here I had been dying to get a pedicure. My toes just looked too awful. So, because I wanted to feel good about myself I went out looking for a pedicure. That took me about two weeks to accomplish. One day I travelled about 20 minutes by U-Bahn to find a place I had looked up online. They were booked for a week and cost about $45. No way! I came all the way home to which Molly and Elizabeth told me that there was a nail salon on our street. What!? Okay, so I looked that place up online and there were pictures of nicely painted toes. I ventured out yet again to hear that the girl did not do pedicures, but that the lady down the next street did only one day a week. Unfortunately, that one-day a week had already passed, but I made the appointment for the following week anyway. And after a minute of reading all of this you are probably wondering why on earth do I think you care. Well, it wouldn’t be story without an introduction. Alright, so this Wednesday I finally went to go get my toes done – and it was wonderful! The lady did one entire foot before either of us started talking to each other. I think half way in she asked me where I came from and of course that led us to an entire conversation of me speaking German and she speaking English. It was just one of those “experiencing life” kind of moments. She told me “du sprichst sehr gut, sehr gut!” It felt good to hear from someone that my attempts at practicing German were good. I learned that she was from Slovakia and had married an Austrian. German was her third language, although I would have guessed her first! How come it seems that everyone else can learn English so easily, but Americans have the hardest time learning any other language?

            Later that night, IES provided us with a dinner excursion to the “Esterhazy Keller.” It was the neatest little traditional restaurant. Unfortunately the meal was not worth the reduced price of 15 euros. We all entered into the large dining room where there were various pickled salads and bread. I was very pleased. Then we were given our large platter of various traditional Austrian meats. When I stop to think about it, a large plate of meat does not actually look so appetizing. Nevertheless, we all dove in for the grub and were finished in no time. Mid way through I stopped to wonder if there would be anything else except meat coming our way. There wasn’t. I was very sad upon realizing this. Oh well. I still had fun. We had the option of going back upstairs for the 4-euro dessert tray, but left for gelato instead.

Brett and Adele digging in to the plate of meat!

            Yesterday was spent studying for our German final. I’d like to say that I can’t believe how fast our final approached, but I think I’m getting used to the fact that time does not go by slowly while living the life of a student abroad. I struggled with finding the way to study for a language exam. Mid-day I had to get out of the apartment because I just couldn’t study any longer. I took a walk to the park near my apartment, took a few pictures of the beautiful gardens there, and then spontaneously decided to venture further out into the third district. While exploring, I came across an awesome looking church. I think it was Greek. I’m still not sure though. It was beautiful with its gold turrets. The walk really helped and I ended up going over to Elizabeth’s to finish studying for the night. The exam wasn’t bad at all this morning. I think I did well. I’m sure glad it’s over!

The "Greek" Church

            After the exam today, Elizabeth and I went with Katie (an IES student assistant), Carolyn and Maddie to “Café Neko.” Katie had brought up the idea of going there the other day when we were on our German excursion to the Rathaus. I guess she heard me say that I loved cats because that’s exactly what the Café is all about. Get this: in Japan there is this trend of having cats wander about and meet the guests in the Café. I had to do my research. The owner of Café Neko has lived in Vienna for maybe twenty years. She wanted to erect this Café to repay the kindness of those she has met here in the city. It took her four years to gain the title of “animal caregiver” in order to be allowed to open the café. You can hold the cats and pet them while you enjoy coffee or tea. Don’t even judge! It is the most wonderful idea in the world. I was in heaven. I ordered a Vanillekätchen (a little vanilla pudding filled cake in the shape of a cat) and a Matcha au Lait (green tea with milk). I also fell in love with Luca, a Maine Coon from one of the humane societies in Vienna. He was absolutely gorgeous!

I'm in heaven!

Luca

            After Café Neko, we all headed to the Schönbrunn palace, the former imperial summer residence of the Habsburgs. You haven’t seen Vienna until you’ve seen Schönbrunn. I don’t think I could even put my wonder into words. It was really that beautiful. We took so many pictures and walked around so much! I quote Maddie, “I didn’t know ‘palace’ meant ‘workout.’“ Needless to say, I have had quite a bit of fun in the past few days. Tomorrow, Elizabeth and I leave for Prague, and then Munich on Tuesday. I’m so excited to get to see the Neuschwanstein Castle (“The Sleeping Beauty Castle”) south of Munich. It is going to be a fairytale!

Me, Maddie, Elizabeth and Carolyn at Schoenbrunn

Overlooking the palace

I will be back to blogging in a week!

Tschüss!