Saturday, August 23, 2008

The moutains are outside my window...

Hello all!

Sorry I haven't had a chance to update in so long! I will update on Brussels later, as I don't have much time here.

I arrived in Vienna at 6 AM a couple of days ago. I slept in the train station and got woken up by an angry Austrian cop. Irritating. Anyway, I met up with all the IES people, checked my big bags, and got on a bus to go to orientation.

We are currently in Mariazell, which is a town in the Alps about 3 hours south of Vienna. It is an absolutely GORGEOUS place! It looks exactly like a small Swiss town should look. It has little cottages tucked in the mountains and ski slopes everywhere. I've basically been going to a bunch of lectures on Austrian culture, safety, etc. Apparently, if you smile at someone here, it's a romantic invitation. Eeks!

Yesterday, we went to an Alpen lake. It was way to cold to swim, but a few of the girls and I rented a boat and went around the lake. Words cannot describe the beauty! Though there were a lot of old men in speedy and old topless ladies. It's Europe, folks!

Today I get my rooming assignment and German class assignment. Should be good!

I am missing people, places, and food back home. I'm going a little crazy without Stephen, but I think I may see him tomorrow night. Yay! I hope that all my other study abroad people are having a good time as they are spread out all over the world!

I miss you all. Update me!

4 comments:

Gary said...

Re: angry Austrian cop, you were probably chanting, "USA! USA! USA!" in your sleep. You should have told him, "Hey, it's all right. The Winter Olympics are right around the corner, and then you can add to all the gold medals you won in Beijing. Oh, wait a minute - that would be Australia. Austria hasn't won any golds. My bad." Without smiling at him.

They let old people go outside in Europe? Wild.

Well, say hello to everyone in Australia - um, Austria - for me, and get some rest, ja?

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU BETHANY, FOR THE NICE PICTURE POSTCARD FROM BERLIN, AND FOR REMEMBERING US. IT HAS BEEN ENJOYABLE READING THE TIMELY AND VERY INTERESTING POSTING OF YOUR WHIRLWIND TOUR. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A VERY PLEASANT AND ENJOYABLE NATURAL SETTING TO DO YOUR STAY THERE IN. BY THE WAY, THE BULLY COP SHOULD FIND BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN RUDELY WAKING LAW ABIDING AMERICAN STUDENTS, FOR INSTANCE ARRESTING CRIMINALS, WHICH HE IS PAID TO DO. LOVE FROM G AND G O.

Anonymous said...

I honestly dont think I can better either of those posts... so yeah... hi

Anonymous said...

CM. #2 TO FINISH WHAT I DIDN'T HAVE ROOM TO SAY IN CM. #1 RE BULLY COP. HERE IT IS-----OR MAYBE HE'S A LITTLE BITTER BECAUSE HIS GRANDPA'S SIDE LOST. END OF STORY!HOPING YOU HAVE A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL TIME OF STUDY, BETHANY, WE'LL KEEP TUNED IN FOR YOUR NEXT POSTINGS. AIR SHOW HERE THIS WEEKEND, A THUNDERBIRD JUST RATTLED THE WINDOWS. LOVE, G & G