A gift from the gods: sunny days in Salzburg

   Today is the second sunny day in a row here in Salzburg. Yesterday morning was interesting, not only because I discovered blue skies outside of the sky lights, but because I was woken up by a marching band right outside of my house. I still have no idea what was going on--I'm not aware of any Austrian holidays or anything. But I'm pretty sure it's safe to mark that as an "only in Austria" moment. They were wearing lederhosen and dirndels and everything.

    This sunny Monday is also the first day of real classes for us AIFS students. A couple of classes I'd normally have today or tomorrow don't start till later in the week, so I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with myself until 6pm. Maybe I'll go to the park--or the Kindergarten, as they call it around here. No, it's not a classroom full of 5 year olds, it's a play ground! Kindergarten translates as a garden of children, which makes perfect sense when you think about it... except it makes me think of cabbage patch babies. Anyway, the playground is a lot of fun, no matter whether you're 2 or 21! They have things for "kids" of all ages. The zip-line was a favorite of mine. But the basket swing was also quite fun--a basket big enough for me to fit in was brilliantly made into a swing. I really enjoyed talking to some of the kids too. They're much easier to talk to--their vocabulary is simpler, they speak slower, and are just more fun than adults. 

Hope all is well back in the states!... or from where ever you're reading this!

Ciao,

Hillary

Yesterday was the most exhausting day yet. It was also quite fun...except the morning. I started the day off with a test. It was a test that marked the end of my intensive German course. Now comes the real stuff. I start classes on Monday. I believe you people in the states are approaching midterms.

I'm taking the following:

German 302 (basically the class below advanced)

Literature 310 (Lit. and Hist. of 20th century Europe)

Soc/Hist 312 (Austrian Culture)

German/History (Hitler and the third Reich (a word that doesn't translate))

That last one is going to be interesting. It's taught in German, and it's independent study. We'll meet once a week. Once nice thing about my classes is: I won't have class on Friday! No one in the program will. : )

Today is Saturday. I was up at 5:40am. It doesn't make any sense to me either, but they do some things the old fashioned way. I was up so early so I could sign up for a sport. "But you aren't athletic" some of you may think. I know, I know. But I want to try fencing. I've always wanted to do it, so here's my chance. 

Well, back to my day yesterday. We walked to a place called Hellbrunn Schloss. Schloss, in German, means castle. This was not a castle, but it was pretty close. It was a mansion. On our way (it was quite the walk, but we were avoiding bus fees) we walked past the house known in the Sound of Music as the home of the Von Trapp family! (No, I'm not sure if I spelled that right, but excuse the error if I didn't.). When we got to the estate of Hellbrunn, there was a large gazebo enclosed by windows--another Sound of Music attraction. "I am 16 going on 17..."

Our visit to Hellbrunn was actually for what is held behind it: a garden. The name of it is the Water Trick Fountains. This may not make a lot of sense, but it does once you enter. They have strategically placed fountains to spray people when they least expect it. It's really fun, but not to the extent it could be when it's 50-some degrees outside. My jeans were soaked, but it's a good thing I had my water-proof jacket on! But I still managed to get sprayed directly in the face...haha, that wasn't so fun.

Why might someone have these fountains? A prince from about 300 years ago had a great sense of humor. His humor definitely lives on. : )

Separate from the gardens was the option to climb a rather steep hill to the cave where the first opera in German was performed. After an exhaustive climb, I and about 10 other students were sitting on a stage made of the earth. It had caves within caves. It was very cool and definitely worth the hike up. I suddenly felt the urge to recite Chaucer as I stood upon the stage...

When we got back to Hellbrunn, we decided to take a tour of the mansion. It's an odd place because no one has ever lived in it. From what I saw yesterday, I can understand why! Its rooms, except for a chair here and there, were almost empty. They all had some kind of art, but many of the rooms were decorated in paintings with a certain theme (i.e. fish room, flower room, bird room, etc). I thought, "Eh, I've seen better." ; )

The walk home was painful. Literally. My joints have been taking a real beating lately, but especially my left knee hurts. If anyone has any advice, I'm open to it. I've been taking glucosamine, so I'd hate to feel what this would be like without it. Oh, and I already feel myself losing weight. But hey, that's Europe.

My host family has a washing machine (thank God) and I've already done a couple of loads. This machine, however, is a little different. It seems pretty straight-forward, but it's not. Of course, everything is in German (even if you include the water temperatures because they're in Celsius). I battled this machine. The first load never seemed to end. It decided to wash our clothes for 2 hours. You should've seen me: I was bent over in front of it (it's very small and opens from the front) with my German-English dictionary trying to figure out what everything means. The second wash was even more frustrating because it did almost nothing I "asked" it to. But at least I know how to read it now. I have to let everything hang-dry, so after a load my room looks like a clothing storm blew threw. I miss the laundry lines in Italy!

Something kind of scary happened to me today. After I'd signed up for fencing and bought a scarf (something I've been needing this whole time--yes, it's that cold), I was waiting for a bus. I already decided to stop on the way for groceries. As I waited, I noticed this woman walking aimlessly around the bus stop. She was shorter than me, had short grey hair, old olive skin, and a beard. Yes--a beard. I saw her approach someone probably close to my age, but couldn't hear what she was saying. She started walking around again and then spotted me. I was cornered because of where I was sitting. She quickly walked up to me, leaned over, and started demanding money...about 20 cents. It was scary because she got right in my face. This lady looked like the witch from Hansel and Gretal. She had a white spot on her eye, a really scratchy voice, and did I mention the beard?? I pretended not to speak German, but had to speak some to get her away from me. Thank God, right at that moment my bus pulled up. I practically ran onto it. I've been approached by beggars before, many in Italy, but this lady actually freaked me out. For about an hour I was paranoid that she followed me.

Back to my scarf--I bought a nice soft white one. I put it on just like the Europeans: stylish, but still warm. After the scary lady, I stopped for groceries. I think this stretch of time included the most Austrians I interacted with who, seemingly, never assumed that I didn't speak German. It was amazing, and I think that the difference was in the scarf. Little details like that are what matter. ; ) A big detail that gives away someone's nationality: shoes! Don't believe me? Travel around. You'll see. Pumas are really popular around here. People here in Salzburg don't wear sweats. If they wear a sweatshirt, it's the kind that's really stylish and expensive. Not the kind that makes you look like a bum--like the one I brought. : ) Oh, and I'm convinced that the flair on my jeans gives me away too. People around my age and younger wear really tight jeans--tight all the way to the ankle. I like my flair, I think those jeans would look stupid on me. Sometimes I think my somewhat simple hair gives me away. I don't have a daring hair cut, nor bright pink highlights. Some of the women around here really like their hair dye.

Wish me luck with classes, as well as with my fencing class! It doesn't go on my transcript, but this is the only class where I'm going to be with other Austrian students. So, it's a good chance to meet some Austrians, but it's still intimidating. Oh and it's probably taught in German. I'm not sure which part is more intimidating...the language in which it's taught, or the ones to whom I am foreign. 

Feel free to leave a comment or send an e-mail! I like hearing from you.

Auf wiedersehen,

Hillary

Too Early

I have successfully gotten out of bed too early. I'm meeting AIFS people soon for a "hike." We're taking a bus up a mountain and then walking down it. This will actually take a great deal of time. 

But I got up to early. I blame the bells. The bells in the church next to my house ring at 7am. I guess they're silent all through the night, but once it's 7am, the whole neighborhood is up. Maybe I'll get used to them by the end of the semester...

I'm starting to really miss people. It's strange to be doing something so extraordinary but with no one I actually know. I'm getting to know people, but you know what I mean. I wish someone would visit me. Preferably family or my boyfriend (with the exception of Bekah). But hey, if you're a friend of mine and wish to visit, come on over! 

Yesterday was the first day we had all to ourselves. There's a festival going on in honor of someone who, I'm sure, is much more important than I'm giving him credit for. His name is St. Rubert and Salzburg is throwing a 5-day party for him in disguise as a small fair. Every other stand is one selling over-priced tourist things. I bought postcards and an Austrian patch. I like getting patches for each country I visit (with legitimacy--I've been to Belgium and France but don't have patches for them because I was in both countries for less than a day, if that). 

You're probably thinking "Oh, she got postcards, well I'll be looking for mine." Well reader of mine, not so fast. Postage is expensive. I'll be doing this slowly. Each stamp to America is 1.40 Euros. If you do the math, that's something over $2/stamp (I said YOU do the math, not me).

I'm happy to report that a great deal of my culture shock has passed, as well as the horrid bratwurst. They tasted good, but put me through hell. Food-wise, I've been taking refuge in something that is much healthier and is a comfort food--Italian. Italian food is wonderful stuff. Even in Austria, it surpasses anything "Italian" served in America. Even the Olive Garden. 

When I'm in my intensive German class, I wonder how my sponge-like German learning self from about 4-5 years ago would've done in a German-speaking country, versus how I'm doing now. I know that many of you think I'm simply being modest when I say that I don't speak German fluently. Well folks, I'm being HONEST. I do not speak fluent German. I can have a conversation, but even with a native German speaker there are points when I don't understand anything the other person is saying. It's a struggle to understand my hostfather. I don't know if this is because of an Austrian accent, or because I just suck. I understand my German teachers, but they slow things down and speak much more clearly. 

I bought wine yesterday and the cashier asked for my I.D. (which is slightly offensive: do I really look younger than 16?). I had no idea what she said. I have this bad habit of saying "Was?" which means "what?" That's rude in German. You're supposed to say, "Wie, bitte?" or "Noch einmal?" which both mean something like "Could you please repeat that?" Nope. I say "what" and get strange looks. Then I feel dumb.

The weather here is just like Washington or Oregon. I hope we get snow while I'm here. I miss the snow.

One guy who works with the program was intrigued by my name when we were getting our student I.D.s. He said (with a very thick Austrian accent) "You have a very interesting name! Hillary, like the candidate Hillary Clinton [it will never end], and Morgan like the British car!" British car? What? I was expecting him to say, "Like the rum!" or "Like the horses!" He was stunned to learn that I had no idea what he was talking about. Apparently there's a car made entirely by hand in Britain. It is very expensive, and displays my last name.

Something often taken for granite in the US is about to be enjoyed by me: cereal! I'm going to have a bowl before my roommate and I head out for our hike-down-the-mountain hiking trek. 

Also, auf wiedersehen. Oder, auf wiederschreiben.

Ciao!

Hillary

Culture Shock

I've experienced culture shock in the past. It's not fun. I remember experiencing it in Italy last summer--a familiar perfume is what sparked it (I brought absolutely no perfume on this trip). I'm not sure what sparked this round, but it started yesterday. It's eased up a little bit, but right now I'm experiencing a side of culture shock that is leaving me hungry and sick all at the same time. My body is unsuccessfully adjusting to Austrian bratwurst. For the past two days, I have felt completely ill. Now I know why: the food! The fat in the bratwurst I've been eating is apparently a toxic substance--according to my body. I feel sick, yet I am hungry.

I'm also tired. Ok, there's another sign of culture shock: complaining. My roommate probably wants to kill me. I'll try and shut up, but I wish I could eat some good, wholesome food. Right now I'm at my house, which is pretty far away from a lot of things in the city. One thing that I've noticed about being in Europe is that I'm often dehydrated. Other people have been experiencing this as well, but it's because water isn't as readily available like in the states. I can't go into a restaurant and get free water with my drink--I have to pay for it. I think my body is also getting used to the tap water. It's not dirty--it's just different. Oh, and ice is unheard of. You'll never be served a drink with ice. 

There are several stores all over the city that sell postcards. I've been keeping my eye out for some cheap ones. I want to write people soon, so if you want a postcard, send me your address!

Unfortunately I have homework to attend to, but I'll try to write more soon. I hope all is well with everyone--feel free to just write me an e-mail! I didn't haul my laptop over here for nothing. : )

Hillary

Ich bin angekommen (I have arrived)

Hallo!

Endlich bin ich hier. Finally I am here. There was a stop over in London (which was more like an unexpected dose of deja vu) and then all 46 American students made our way into Salzburg. 

It is unseasonably cold here. I'm glad I bought a North Face before I left--I started using it in London, actually. 

I'm staying in a house. I have one house mate and we live in an apartment on top of another apartment, which is all kind of like one townhouse. 

Finally, I'm surrounded by people who won't tell me to shut up when I feel the urge to speak German. hahaha...no names, no names. You already know who you are! ; )

I'm sorry that I can't write very much right now. I must sleep. My other time abroad taught me the importance of sleep because, then, I had pretty close to none. So, auf wiedersehen und ich werde bald wieder schreiben! (Goodbye and I will write again soon!)

Hillary

Tomorrow

As many of you have noticed, time is about to mark the 7th anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001. And how do I decide to celebrate? Get on an international flight, of course! No, I did not choose this date to fly, but I'm not worried. Seriously, think of the security.

Anyway, it's my last night in the U.S. for the greater portion of the rest of the year 2008. Today has felt strange. I have to keep telling myself, "I'm leaving tomorrow" as I display a look of disbelief. What's funny about today (though not at the time) is I took the GREs this morning (for the second time). I hope to never have to see the inside of the Prometric Testing Center ever again. 

I'm at that point in the packing process where I have nothing left to do except wait to use some products for the last time and throw them in my suitcase. I weighed it today, knowing that I still had heavy liquids to throw in. It was exactly 50 lbs. Oy. So I sacrificed some things and rearranged others, but came to the conclusion that my backpack just isn't big enough to hold what my suitcase should not. Therefore, I made a trip to Target and bought a giant tote bag that shall be referred to as my purse (or personal item) for the duration of my travels. Hopefully this will solve my weight problems....wait...you know what I mean.

I will be in London for the first few days. That stay is going to be the most exhausting blessing ever. I'm excited to return to the giant playground for English majors, but there's a good chance that I may fall asleep on the tube or something. As for now, I'm hoping that my plane ride will be soporific...and without screaming babies. But that last one is a long shot.

My next entry will be from another country! Wish me luck and pray I get there in one piece!  (and that my luggage isn't lost on my way over!)

Auf Wiederschreiben,

Hillary

The countdown has begun

And so it begins. Or, at least the countdown to the beginning begins. I've been counting down for a while, but it's at that point when there is only one more Sunday, one more Saturday, one more Monday...you get the point. One week. One week till I leave. Ever since I signed up to study abroad, the adventures to come have felt like a million years away. It hasn't sunk in. I'm not expecting it to--when I studied abroad last summer, I thought it would take a week or two. Well, when I stepped back onto American soil (or Charlotte airport carpet), nothing had yet sunk. Even now, it all feels like a dream.

On a lighter note, packing for this expedition is going to be a real test. When I came back into the states last summer, coming back to all of my belongings was completely overwhelming. After carrying all of my stuff on my back for three months, coming back to a room full of more of my stuff reminded me, "yes, I am an American." And I hated it.

So the reverse culture shock wore off and I fell back into my material-hungry American ways. Perhaps that's what will do me in--packing-wise.

I'll probably write again before I leave on a jet plane. As for now, auf wiedersehen. 

Mit freundlichen Gruessen,

Hillary