Vienna: Grüß Gott!!

The Viennese speak a different german than I'm used to. I'm grateful that my roommate Manuel speaks it though and hopefully I'll slowly catch on. Today I had my first accomplishment: Grüß Gott. Grüß Gott is a greeting which literally means "Greetings to God"... and so at first I was a little apprehensive, but when you are bombarded by cashiers, waiters and taxi drivers who all smilingly call out "Grüß Gott!", it's a little hard not to give in. So today at Bipa (a drug store near to Elisabeth's apartment), when the cashier called out "Grüß Gott"... I actually said it back! What an exciting day. 

Also, on the "good day" note, I met Kerby (from Portland!) and Elisabeth for lunch. We had a good time getting to know each other and were dedicated to practicing our german together... for a while. We usually slip into English when we're alone, but I'd say that we all have a good grasp of the language and can feel comfortable in either one. 

Later, my roommate Manuel cooked dinner for me and Julia, my new roommate from Italy (northern Italy.... so she speaks german) and we ate outside in our garden. It was nice to get to know them better and even nicer to practice my german - I really appreciate my awesome roommates who both know english but respect that I want to better my german (or at least get down a really good Viennese to impress my friends) :o)

In the evening, after a delicious scoop of Vienna's best ice cream, Kerby, Julia, Elisabeth and I (see picture) met some american boys that Julia had met on the train. I know, I know... I was thinking obnoxious teenagers who are just in europe because of the low-drinking age :o) But these guys were fun and interesting... one works for a company that Colin wants to apply for (called DuPont), and he gave me his email and said that Colin should get in contact with him! That pretty much made my week. It was amazing to be able to tell him I'd made him a business contact on only my third day in Vienna. :o) 

Although I'm still only sleeping a few hours each night (ie: only 1 1/2 tonight! Ouch!) things are looking up. I'm extremely grateful to Colin (and my mom and dad), who put up with me over the last few days - exhausted and crying and calling every few hours. But now things are better and I'm excited about our orientation next week and to go to Ikea tomorrow and make my room cozy (maybe I'll sleep better once my bed has sheets?). I've got to admit, Vienna is pretty much amazing. 

Also: Here's an awesome Austrian sighting from last night's train ride home: 

A Dirndl and Lederhosen!!! 

Vienna: Willkommen in Wien!

Well, I've finally arrived in Vienna. After a great week at home going to the fair and hanging out with my parents, I took the train up to Vancouver, where Mads threw me a fantastic going-away party and Solen presented me with a group present of a year-long membership to the Vienna Film Museum! I'm really the luckiest girl ever and have the best friends. Thanks to everyone who made that night special! 

Saturday night Colin and I went to our favorite restaurant, Jollys, and then came home to watch hours of Donald Duck cartoons, one of our favorite things to do. (That whole madness started last christmas... Colin was so addicted to those cartoons on youtube!) Sunday came too fast and before I knew it I was saying goodbye to him at the airport, which was extremely hard, but made a bit better by the fact that I have a plane ticket home for christmas already (thanks mom and dad!!!) 

After a long-haul to London, where I had a 5 hour stop, I took a short 2 hour flight to Vienna. Unfortunately I had a bit of a rocky arrival - I missed my new roommate at the airport and took a taxi to my new apartment - a horrible 65 Euros later! (that's a LOT of money, folks). So, I felt pretty bad about that - and the fact my roommate wasn't at home to let me in, since he was looking for me at the airport. Luckily, one of my other roommates had friends staying in her room while she is home, and they - at just the right moment - had come outside. They let me in and I used their cell phone to call Manuel, and tell him to come back from the airport. 

My room is small - but has a built in bed on one wall which can double as a couch. I'll put up pictures once I get some shelves from Ikea and put my clothes and other stuff away. I like the apartment - a nice, updated (but small) kitchen and three roommates. Vera from Frankfurt, Julia from Southern Tirol and Manuel from Vienna. Manuel has two cats, Neo and Slimer, who are very sweet and like to cuddle. :o) Manuel's girlfriend lives in Spain, so he sympathizes with me when I'm missing Colin. 

My jet-lag hasn't gotten too much better - I'm not sleeping much, which explains the extreme homesickness and ridiculously often crying-bouts. Nights are the hardest - I haven't been able to sleep more than 4 hours at a time, and usually end up awake around 3 am - crying. :o) Luckily I have a super fantastic mom and dad - and Colin - who puts up with my crying at all hours of the day. It'll get better once I'm settled and not tired. I'm excited to start working at my school. We have orientation in Graz (2 hours south of Vienna) for a week next week and I look forward to meeting lots of new people and being busy. 

Today I met up with Elisabeth - a girl here also for Fulbright from Missoula Montana - which was fantastic. It's nice to have a friend here. :o) We met some Brits for lunch and then met again later for pizza with some other Fulbrighters. It's nice to meet so many people, but at the beginning it's hard to tell who you'll become close with. I'm excited to see how this year turns out. This is such a fantastic opportunity and it's amazing to be able to live in such a beautiful, cultured city and practice my german, beef up my resume and have tons of awesome new experiences. 

The two pictures I included are of Schönbrunn Palace - right near my apartment. I went for a walk there on my first day. :o)