what a week!

Tuesday afternoon we FINALLY found the laundromat. And 8,20 euros later, I had clean clothes. I guess we waited two weeks to do it, but hopefully we won't have to do it as frequently after it gets cooler and we stop sweating like pigs everywhere we walk.

That night we got all gussied up and went out to the staatoper (state opera) house to see Madama Butterfly. Which is awful. Don't see it. The music was night, but the plot was senseless, and long. I think that's my problem with operas is that they take so long to say one thing. Just spit it out. Really. Apparently all the operas are sold out, but the only "seats" that are left over are the standing room only ones, which they only sell an hour before the performance. When we walked up to our seats, I was pretty amazed at how small the theater was. I felt much closer to the stage than I expected to. I was not how ever amazed at our "seats". They were like cow pens, and they herded more people into the area than there was railing, so I felt more claustrophobic than normal and they were breaking all sorts of fire codes. I was also wearing new flats, that were not nice to my heels and I could never find a comfortable position to stand in, so I was shifting every 30 seconds. Poor Amy and Leah, they probably were mad at me for standing in front of them. The only good thing was that I only spent 4 euro and I got my opera performance out of the way. I was in so much pain I couldn't even make it to gelato.

Wednesday after class we trekked out to the soccer stadium to buy tickets for that night's game (or spiel) and I found some awesome stickers that I'm excited about using in my scrapbook. Oh scrapbooking. I'm going to have a blast working on that when I get home. Thank goodness I have like a month or so at home to work on it.

Anywho, so later that night we went to the game with most of our group and had an absolute blast. The cheering section had a call for every player and every play, and we tried to play along, but I'm sure we looked really dumb. And luckily I had bought a jersey on Monday, so I fit in a little bit more than people who didn't have one. The team tied and the game was over, which I was surprised by, but Andy said that teams are given points based on whether they won, tied, or lost, so it's like ehh if they tied.

The crowd getting out was crazy, but we finally made it to the bus stop after losing most of our group and went to get some Tichy Eis since it's closing today, actually. I tried hazelnuss and kaffee, and wooo I'm mad at myself for never choosing the former before. (And yes mother, I know it's hazelnut but I didn't feel bad!!) Cari and Sarah went back for a third cone of the day, taking their total up to 9 scoops in one day. Way to go girls!

Thursday we went to the Sacred and Secular Treasury of Vienna with our CIVA class, and I must admit I'm pretty unimpressed. We went to see the sacred lance, which is what pierced Christ's side, pieces of the cross, the Imperial crown which makes the emperor believe that he is in the lineage of Christ and all the noble kings of the Bible, and the Veil of Veronica, which was said to be given to Jesus to wipe off his face as he passed carrying the cross, and which had a distinct outline of his face now.... So I guess it's all in what you choose to believe, but it was all very ehhhh to me.

Later that afternoon Bethany and I decided to go out to some parks and we chose Volksgarten and Burgarten. Volks was very formal, with lots of roses, chairs, and old people, and we weren't allowed to get on the grass. But Burg was beautiful and we were allowed to just sprawl out on the grass with anything you wanted to do. It was even soft. I wish I had a blanket here with me for those days.

One of the only things I have to complain about here in Vienna is the beggars. They will get in your face, yelling in German, and annoying you until you escape them. Or even when you say nein danke or nein deutsch... it doesn't help. They are on par with the people who just stare in the UBahn. Yes I KNOW I'm obviously an American, you don't have to stare at me because of it!

Rawr.

Anywho, today we took the afternoon off from doing anything productive and went shopping. And ummm I'm embarrassed to say that I probably shouldn't have done that. I knew I loved H&M, but today good grief, I could've bought out the entire store. But I'm proud of myself, I got 2 dresses, 1 skirt, 1 sweater, 2 shirts, and some eyeshadow (because I'm already very sick of the sparse makeup I brought) for 95 euro.

We also found this store called Monsoon and I found THE perfect formal dress. Too bad it was 235 euro and umm here in Europe. :/ Oh well. I'll find something at home.

I'm so sad I'm missing pledging. But I guess I'll get my fill of it in the spring.

This still feels like a perpetual vacation, but if it were I should've been going home by now. But I do feel like it's homier now.

Anywho, I need to be going! We have a group dinner tonight. Lets see what that brings!

Praha- czech czech czech it out! p

Sorry I haven't written in a while, homework and uneventful Vienna Visits have been consuming my life. Plus after that last post I feel like my next one should be as good or better, though free money will always rule over all. :)

I think we are definitely beginning to blend in like tourists. In the past few days we've gotten asked directions and if we were Austrians and it has been great! Although I still feel foolish trying to speak German. They teach us these phrases, but not the standard responses, so it's pretty pointless. haha.

Anyways... quick recap.

Last tuesday we went to a few parks, got followed by such a creepy man, and got a grocery store dinner.

Wednesday we went museum hopping from the Art Museum and the Natural History Museum. I really enjoyed both these museums. I felt like the art museum went on for forever, and luckily its now free to us because i need to go back and just peruse.

Thursday afternoon we got out early and were productive with writing in our journals and our presentations since it was rainy and grey out. It was also perfect napping weather :)

Friday we searched for the laundromat with no avail and finally resigned to coming back and studying for the test that was today.

Saturday we headed to Prague. I was pretty excited to be going there because it's just another country I get to add to my "Where I've Been" list on Facebook, and another place to get a patch from. :)

I'm not sure how I felt about this country. The language is absurd and the money is even crazier. When we got there our tour guide Daniel told us to get about 400 czech crowns out. I was pretty worried, because I really didn't want to have a ridiculous amount of crowns to change back into euros. I ended up taking out 600 kcs (I KNOW!! KCS!! How exciting, I have my own currency!!) but that only really totaled into about $35. And that was definitely not enough.

We had a free afternoon on Saturday so we sought out food and got pretty distracted in souvenir shops. And I do mean pretty distracted. I would like to mention everything I got, but alas the recipients read this blog, so I cannot divulge. :) Lets just say I'm happy with my creative choices.

After we finally made it to lunch, Bethany and I split a yummy four cheese pizza and were astounded that the check for 6 people was over 1400 crowns. I never got used to seeing things being over a hundred the whole time we were there. My group made it to St Wenceslas square where there was a huge market going on, and I got more wonderful things. I could definitely tell that Prague was more touristy, practically everyone spoke English and was very helpful when they could be. Maybe a bit pushy, but always kind. We finally made our way to Charles Bridge, because that was about all we knew about Prague. (seriously we should have done more research before we left). The bridge was under construction and was so full it was pushing my claustrophobia levels almost to their breaking point. But I walked quickly with a firm hand on my bag the whole time.

I got several other things that I'm mighty proud of on that bridge and cannot WAIT for Christmas to come so I can give them to their respective owners. I reallllly think to give is better to receive. It gives me such a better feeling inside. :)

anywho, dinner was gelato, as it is many nights and we headed back to our meeting point to go to the hotel. and umm that hotel was just weird. i felt like i was in an asian las vegas. i'm pretty sure i saw more asians this weekend than i have in my entire life. But the hotel had a casino, a restaurant, a bowling alley, swimming pool, spa, and exercise room but guess what? Everything cost something, so a few girls wound up just sitting around and talking over fantas and cappys. I think Saturday night was definitely the lowest I've felt on this trip so far. I felt like wallpaper, alone and unused, something thats always there and never really looked at. It was the worst I've felt in a very long time.

But I think God needed me to feel that I wasn't alone because he sent a pack of 9 drunk very blonde teenagers to sit beneath my hotel window and sing loudly. It caused me to get up to possibly tell them to be quiet, but as I became conscience enough to get up they started "All Praises Be" in perfect harmony which is one of my absolute favorite 4 part hymns. I smiled and when I finally got up I watched them march away (yes nazi style), and they never returned. It was bizarre but perhaps they were really sent from God to renew my heart and mind.

Sunday morning I didn't feel that much better, but was a little helped by the very informative tour we went on. Ava, our tour guide was really cute, and I was very surprised to learn that up until 1918 which was when Czechloslovakia got their independence they all spoke German and after that they all spoke Czech. I mean how does an entire nation just switch languages!?

But after she let us go, a few of us just wanted food, so we found this cute cafe that looked like it belonged in the twenties. Our waiter was hysterical and so friendly, and I was sad that we had just found it the last day we were there, because it was delish. :) I got chicken crepes with creme of mushroom on top and it really reminded me of Front Porch, which made me extremely happy, it was a little slice of home again. As we were walking back to meet our group again I found fudge and Bethany and Meghan found this really delicious bread round thing that was coated in cinnamon and sugar at some festival going on. That's what I've been loving about Europe. There is a festival on just about every weekend full of yummy food and fascinating sights.

We were all anxious to get back home though. I have begun to recognize German, and for that I'm very thankful. Even though I can't speak it or really understand it, I feel more comfortable with it. Or more comfortable than I was with the crazy mash up of letters and symbols that is the Czech language.

And what was even more comforting was the little rest area we found on the Austria/Czech border. It was called Excalibur and it was crazy. Totally themed in dragons and Merlin and warrior butch women, I really never stopped laughing at what they decided was ok to use in their theming....

I think the best part of the trip though was the devo on the bus. Singing always puts me in a better mood. It's where I feel God the most, and I needed Him to create a new spirit within me so badly. I sang full heartedly, realizing that I hadn't really sang in two weeks. I instantly felt better and just praised Him for giving me the power of song.

We made it home and I felt instantly at home. Weird that you can already begin to miss something after 10 days of "living" there.

Today we tried to work out our fall break, and tentatively we are going to Zurich-Geneva-Barcelona-Paris-Brussels and then back home. Four countries sounds pretty good right?

But I've got to head to bed, didn't get much sleep the past two nights. Love you all!

Ich Liebe Wien.

Saturday we went shopping with our small groups at Millenium City which was this huge complex on the outskirts of town. I wasn't too impressed. It was a smelly mall that didn't really have many interesting stores except for H&M and I was (and am still) very apprehensive about spending money at all. I doubt I'd go back, except that it DID have a movie theater, so I may have to be traveling all the way out there for New Moon or something as equally impressive ;)

That afternoon we went to the Belvedere. I think I was more impressed by this place than even the Schonnbrunn because the view of the city was beyond believable. I felt like I was looking at one of those Phil Ponder pictures where you can see every individual important rooftop of a city. Again we didn't go into anything there, but it's a place I'm going to make it back to. I really want to see the museums and the orangery, because that just sounds fun.

Later that night we went to Prater, which is the amusement park in Vienna. We looked around a little bit and then got this guy to take our picture but he tried to walk off with it and everyone else knew he was kidding but I about had a heart attack.

We went to get dinner, and we were giant fatties and got these things called "langos" which is basically just a fried piece of bread slathered in butter and garlic. But boy was that thing delicious. I would go back there just for one of those.

We went and rode the "LARGEST FERRISWHEEL IN THE WORLD" for Meredith, even though it was 7,50. And that was even the student discount price. :/ But it was worth it. We went up when all the lights were coming on, and we had really amazing scenes of the city. There was this family in the compartment with us who had a really cute set of twin boys who were running to the opposite sides to make the bucket tip. The family seemed really nice and we were surprised to find that they were from Vienna when we asked where they were from. They even took several pictures of us with their sons. Which was weird....

We found our first patch there, and hopefully we'll be able to collect several more as we go to different countries.

Sunday morning we went to mass at Stephansdom. It was glorious inside. I felt like I was in the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Unfortunately I was stuck behind a column for the actual service, but we were right beside the choir and the orchestra and I was perfectly fine with it. They were spectacular. I could have listened to them all day long. And they had this glorious french horn. Sigh. Being in Vienna is making me want to be in band again.

After mass we went through the Hapsburg Complex and stumbled upon the Harvest Festival. It was like a giant Jazz Fest and I loved it. However, I couldn't understand what any booth was selling so we all stuck with giant hot dogs. It was really tasty, though the bread was really crunchy so all I ate was the meat. We got some gelato after that. I kind of feel like I've over done the gelato already. It just doesn't even sound appetizing anymore. :/

We then headed to Kahlensburg, which was atop a mountain. After catching two subways and a bus we made it to the top. This was the height of wine country. It was absolutely gorgeous. You could see for miles. Herr McVey even told us we could see to Hungary. This was definitely the upside to the day, because later on they told us we were hiking down the mountain. Whew. What a hike. The lesson learned yesterday is never stop for grape pictures, because you WILL get lost.

Eleven of us had done so, and by the time we were on our way again we had completely lost the group. We were supposed to have a devo in a vineyard, but we never saw anyone again. So not know what else to do, we just kept on walking. We walked for about an hour and a half until we found something that could lead us back into the city which just happened to be a street car. I found it a very neat way to travel. We got back to the Ubahn and finally made our way back home. After an exhausting afternoon we were ready for some food so we stopped at Venezia again for some pizza. And what an interesting dinner conversation that was. Oh well, bonding time I guess!

Today we started classes. I think they seem like they are going to be pretty fun. I love our German teacher even if he is a wee bit intimidating. I still don't think some of the things he's saying sound any different, and that might be a problem. :/ But humanities is still going well, and I'm excited about Wednesday when we get to get out of the class room and go to the Natural History museum.

After class we came back to eat lunch and everyone had completely disappeared. I can't wait to get cell phones so we can call each other. We went to La Favorita and I got tortellini quatro formaggi and it was soooo delicious. We sat there trying to decide what to do in the afternoon and finally decided upon Rathaus.

Meredith opted out of going with us because she said she had a lot to catch up on (which I do too, I can't believe how much I feel like I'm already behind!!) so Bethany, Laura, and I went out to check it out. We made it to the Rathaus stop and as soon as we made it up the steps of the Ubahn we were swarmed by these huge black dogs that looked like bears! They didn't have a leash on but we looked around and their owner was standing there watching them. Unfortunately not well enough because they attacked this other dog that was walking by with his master on a leash. It was really sad and we all almost started crying. Thus the slight problem of allowing dogs anywhere.

We finally made it to the Rathaus, which was right in front of us, but we were dumb and couldn't figure it out. We stopped in on of the courtyards and found benches that we could sit and sketch on. The building was really neat, I loved the architecture of it. My drawing is awful, but who ever said I was an artist?

When we were done with that, we decided to check out the front facade, since it's what the Rathaus is recognized for. As soon as we turned the corner we saw the circus. Yes a circus. Just sitting in front of this historic building. And it was an actual big top. Not like something in the states that is in an arena or event center. I was instantly dying to go.

While we were admiring the front, we saw these couples on segways. We heard them talking in english so I was smiling at them because the men (who were like 50) were just going around doing figure 8s not even listening to the guide. We kept walking but when we made it to the street, they came up behind us and went to a little sweets cart that was sitting there. I was still laughing at the men because they were obviously having a great time, and when they got some food I asked one of the ladies what was in what she was eating, because it looked wonderful. She offered us some and told us to take the rest of the bag. They realized we were from America as well and started asking us where we were from. They were from Phoenix and I told them I had grandparents there. One of the men whips out a business card and hands it to me. He said "Tell your grandma to come in, I'll give her a free bottle of perfume." (So Memaw or Kristy if you are reading this, you better cash in on this, this place looked SWANKY.)

I looked down at the card and it said Fine Jewelers. Hmm he had to be rich.... Well we started talking to him about the segway tour and they were all just going on and on about how much they loved it and how much they were having fun. We asked them how much it cost and they were like hmmm I dunno! So we asked the lady for a brochure and it was 70 euro. We were all standing there like Dang that's a lot of money. So then the man whips out his money clip and hands me $300. He was like here, go do it! It's such an awesome tour! And then speeds away. So we are all kinda hoping that this whole "we're not allowed to ride motorized vehicles" rule doesn't apply to segways...

After that I got this huge cannoli for 2,20 and we went on our way. We checked out the 2nd Hand store, but didn't find much except for traditional wear that we wanted, but it was pretty expensive...

Now we've been sitting in our beds for a few hours just reading, watching movies, and surfing the net.

Also while we were shopping, I learned that I could not live well in this country because they hardly have any size ten shoes. And I need my shoes!! ;)

But I do know one thing.

I Love Vienna. :)

kebaps, melange, and citron. mmmm

I feel like I have failed at a lot of stuff here so far. Last night was a fail at getting food for Laura, our trying to spreken ze deutsch, and trying to get the check. We were very sad. This morning I failed at working the shower correctly so our entire bathroom floor was flooded. Sorry pants, guess I'm gonna have to wash you now. Great. Oh and then I couldn't open my shampoo bottle... (just used a squirt of Mere's, thanks by the way ;) )

But the day got tremendously better. Breakfast was amazing, and after bandaging my pinky toe and switching to my New Balances my feet were close to feeling brand new. We walked back to school for presentations and what not and then headed to the Naschmarkt for lunch. Meredith, Bethany, Laura, and I ate at a kebap place. The guy was really friendly, so I think we felt bad for walking away after he gave us free samples. But I'm glad we stayed. A huge meal for 3,90 (however the crap you do the euro sign). Which was awesome. It made me feel better about spending 25 later. ha. Which reminds me that I need to visit an ATM soon.

We took the Ubahn down to Schonnbronn Palace afterwards and walked around the grounds. We're definitely taking Cari back soon. I want to take a tour inside and visit the zoo and the hill. It was so beautiful there, I can put up pictures in a few minutes if you want to check them out. :)

We were all pretty worn out still so we went back to the hotel and stopped at BIPA (which is amazing. Basically like an all girls Walgreens) and got shampoo conditioner and toothpaste. And then I stopped by Anker because I wanted a coffee and a pastry. Both were very very tasty.

We came back and just relaxed for a bit and then went back down to meet with our groups for dinner. My group (Kirk, Rachel, Leah, Meredith, and I) went to Venezia just up the street and down a block for some pizza. This dinner was quite possibly the best meal so far. Huge personal pizza (very shareable though, I'll remember that for the next time) and the best waiter. His name was Ali, and we will be visiting his lovely demeanor again. :)

We went to Tichy Eis (pronounced Tiki Ice) after for some gelato. I got citron and it was wonderful. I think I liked Venice's better, but this was nice as well. I was a little sketched out by the rats wondering around the park by it though.

Our Ubahn back to the hotel was very interesting. Meredith was basically stared down by this man while we were waiting for the train, and even when we moved further down the train he followed us, and when we sat by people he just sat on the opposite side. Luckily he didn't follow us when we got off though, because I was really worried about him finding out where we were staying.

I think I'm going to start a list of things I find cool/different/or just interesting about Vienna or Europe in general.

For today: There are dogs everywhere. In restaurants, outside of stores, in stores, with muzzles, without muzzles, leashes, no leashes. And then it astounds me that they are all so well behaved. They are plastered to their master's side like they have belonged there all along. I wish it were like this in America. Where no one had to worry about their dogs being too loud or getting into anything. They just know it's like a normal day.

Oh and I abhor smoking. Whether it be smokeless or not. It's nasty. Smells bad, and people just look stupid doing it. I don't and will never see the point in doing something that degrading to your system.

favorite conversation for the day (after I put in my 50 cents to go potty only to see it ONLY accepted 50 cent pieces and not any others):

B- Why don't you go on the grass like that guy earlier?

K-Because I don't have anything to aim with.

L- I could let you borrow mine.

perhaps you should've just been there. :)

guten nacht!

28 hours and counting.

Wow. What a weird first day. I have never ever ever walked that much, and my head and my left pinky toe are mad at me for not breaking in my shoes better. Sigh but where to start?

Yesterday morning was emotional enough. I was upset, nervous, anxious, flipping excited, and crazy sad to be leaving. I was stressed that my ticket wasn't in an obvious spot, that my bag was going to be over weight, and that I was going to forget one thing. Just one tiny thing that would ultimately for-ruin the entire trip for me (ex. no iPod on the Winter Tour last January). But I made it to the airport with everything packed right and just one emotional break down in the car ride there. I saw my friends and instantly I was fully excited. Then one prayer and a glance at all the mothers and I was an emotional basket case again. Was I really doing this? Going over seas for three whole months without the ones I love the most in the world? Why? What would ever possess me to do this?

But then I remembered that every single person I had talked to previously told me that this was one of the most favorite things they had ever done. And others had said it was the one thing that they missed out on in college. So I talked myself up and got onto a plane. Charlotte was fine, I got to know the Swanns a bit better. To Munich not so much. I swear I think I saw every kind of European stereotype on that plane.

There was the big hairy man with the thick black unibrow, the cute old man in his fedora and suit from Romania, the loud fat German ladies (who fortunately sat behind me, so every time they got up they pulled me back for leverage), and the well dressed and well oiled Italian men. I even had a little ray of sunshine sitting beside me who threw a fit because she didn't want to sit beside me, and she couldn't understand why her Nana and Mom were making her do so. Oh she also threw some punches in her sleep. And to top it off since my last name so awesomely starts with a "W" I get to sit in the back, with no one from our group around me. Mmmm planes.

To Vienna wasn't much better. Squished by the window and a large German man (who smelled pretty good) named Margarita Maqua (doesn't sound German does it?) and was told I couldn't eat the cookie because it had coconut in it. So then I tried to give it away to old Maggie, but he just wouldn't take it. Oh well, the seat got a treat.

But we got here. And it's beautiful. And not what I was expecting. And I love our room. And the weather. And the streets. And I'm ready to go to sleep, but I know we have to cram one more meal in before I get to. Sigh. Dang jet lag.

:)

24 hours.

Tomorrow is the day. EEEEEK. I never thought it would come. Especially after the grueling past two weeks of classes. Don't get me wrong, they were informative, but when you are sitting in a classroom with no windows for 5 hours a day and the trip of a lifetime staring you in the face, you REALLY don't want to be there.

But alas, it's here. I will be at the airport in approximately 24 hours. My suitcase is packed. All I have to cram in there is my hairbrush. Hopefully that isn't a pound, because I'm right at 49 lbs. And you should see my backpack. Yikes that's going to be painful after a while.

It's all becoming incredibly surreal to me. I wish I could fast forward a week so that I could be there and settled. There are so many people I'm leaving, but only a few I'm truly going to miss. This is the furthest and longest I will be away from home. I think it's kind of time for me to get away from home. I'm such a homebody. I love my family and love being close enough to them that I can come home whatever weekend I want to. So it will be very very odd that I will not be able to sleep in my own bed for three whole months. I won't see my parents, sister, or Rob for three months. That's the longest I have ever gone without seeing any of them.

Part of me is getting nauseous thinking about it, and part of me just wants to get on with it.

This is going to be one the greatest experiences of my life. Again, can I please just fast forward one week? Thanks.