Yesterday, Sally, Rachel, Melanie and I had dinner together and stopped by an ice cream place on the way back. After looking at the flavors, I decided not to get the blueberry kind or the mystery flavor that the ice cream seller couldn't describe. I decided to stick to chocolatey ones. I got Milch Schokolade (self-explanatory), Stracciatella (Chocolate-chip), and "Mohn", which looked like oreo or cookies and cream.
The other girls got Mohn, too. When we tasted it, we realized that it was poppyseed. We'd never even imagined poppyseed to be an ice cream flavor, let alone such a ridiculously good one. I've never seen it in the States, but they should jump all over it. It's tasty!
We walked around in the Stadtpark and took pictures with statues and all. Oh, we also saw several rats. They would streak across the park walkways into the bushes.
I was not amused. But the other girls found my discomfort entertaining.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Indisches Restaurant
In addition to the amazing Museumsquartier down the street from my flat, across the street is an Indian restaurant. Melanie and I didn't feel like making dinner and it was already past 8pm, so we decided to try it out tonight. I got some lamb and naan and mango lassi. M got what she thought was chicken but it turned out to be a huge dish of fish in a delicious, tomato-based sauce. She also thought she was getting mango lassi, but the waitress brought out a mango-wine g'spritzer.
We sat outside, and admired the lights strung out across the street that say the street name (However, I'm not sure why, because there's also street signs on the buildings). People were walking up and down the street (with their ever-present dogs) and I felt very urban during dinner.
Afterwards, the waitress brought out the check and some little glasses with a mango liquid in them. We hadn't ordered anything else, but we figured it was just a complementary after-dinner refreshment. We gulped the liquid, only to discover to our surprise and slight perturbation, that it was mostly vodka, with perhaps a couple drops of mango juice. It was pretty funny, because we almost spit it on the waitress while she was getting the check back.
The restaurant wasn't exactly what we were expecting, but the food tasted good (even if it wasn't what we were expecting) and they have soup for 2 euros, which doesn't seem like a bad price. We'll probably go there if we don't feel like making dinner.
We walked down the next street that runs parallel to ours, and discovered many more ethnic restaurants, including another Indian one, and multiple asian places.
I think we are situated pretty nicely in the city. Apparently, our district is where the trendy people tend to live, as well as the most popular place for university student housing. We're close to a lot of places, and the center is about a half-hour's walk away.
So, if I ever moved to Vienna, I would probably live in this, the 7th Bezirk (district): Neubau.
We sat outside, and admired the lights strung out across the street that say the street name (However, I'm not sure why, because there's also street signs on the buildings). People were walking up and down the street (with their ever-present dogs) and I felt very urban during dinner.
Afterwards, the waitress brought out the check and some little glasses with a mango liquid in them. We hadn't ordered anything else, but we figured it was just a complementary after-dinner refreshment. We gulped the liquid, only to discover to our surprise and slight perturbation, that it was mostly vodka, with perhaps a couple drops of mango juice. It was pretty funny, because we almost spit it on the waitress while she was getting the check back.
The restaurant wasn't exactly what we were expecting, but the food tasted good (even if it wasn't what we were expecting) and they have soup for 2 euros, which doesn't seem like a bad price. We'll probably go there if we don't feel like making dinner.
We walked down the next street that runs parallel to ours, and discovered many more ethnic restaurants, including another Indian one, and multiple asian places.
I think we are situated pretty nicely in the city. Apparently, our district is where the trendy people tend to live, as well as the most popular place for university student housing. We're close to a lot of places, and the center is about a half-hour's walk away.
So, if I ever moved to Vienna, I would probably live in this, the 7th Bezirk (district): Neubau.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Ice Cream and Conversation
Yesterday night, Melissa called me to see if we were doing anything. I called Matt and we met at Stephansplatz, to look for something to do. We took the U-Bahn to Ann's house (Our Holocaust/Lit. professor) and invited her along.
We started walking down her street, looking for ice cream. We walked for about 10 or 15 minutes and then, seeing no ice cream, decided to turn around. What we didn't realize was that there's an ice cream place 1 block down, in the opposite way we were walking. However, we finally stumbled upon it and ordered some delicious ice cream sundaes.
Afterwards, we searched for Sturm, but were unsuccessful, so we decided to have a glass of wine at a place near Ann's.
We talked for a while about Austria's very generous maternity leave (up to 2 years, and job guarantee when you return), as well as our course subject and must-see sites in Austria.
After that, we went back to Ann's apartment, where we ate delicious food and talked until late. But not too late, because I didn't want to miss our train home.
When Melanie and I were walking home, we ran into groups of young partyers, some of which were blocking the sidewalk on a busy street, so I had to push through them and step over broken bottles and who-knows-what-else on the ground.
All in all, it was a fun night, even though I didn't get much homework done.
We started walking down her street, looking for ice cream. We walked for about 10 or 15 minutes and then, seeing no ice cream, decided to turn around. What we didn't realize was that there's an ice cream place 1 block down, in the opposite way we were walking. However, we finally stumbled upon it and ordered some delicious ice cream sundaes.
Afterwards, we searched for Sturm, but were unsuccessful, so we decided to have a glass of wine at a place near Ann's.
We talked for a while about Austria's very generous maternity leave (up to 2 years, and job guarantee when you return), as well as our course subject and must-see sites in Austria.
After that, we went back to Ann's apartment, where we ate delicious food and talked until late. But not too late, because I didn't want to miss our train home.
When Melanie and I were walking home, we ran into groups of young partyers, some of which were blocking the sidewalk on a busy street, so I had to push through them and step over broken bottles and who-knows-what-else on the ground.
All in all, it was a fun night, even though I didn't get much homework done.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Hikes and Markets
Yesterday, 6 of us went on a hike with Frauke. We rode the bus to the edge of town and walked up a large hill so we could see Vienna laid out below us.
Frauke got lunch for us at a nice restaurant (dating from 1785) and we ate outside in a small art garden in the lawn.
We had a traditional Viennese lunch of cheese, ham, greens, vegetables and bread. To drink, we mixed wine and soda water from pitchers to make g'spritzer, a chilled, refreshing lunch beverage.
Afterwards, we split up. Melanie, Melissa and I left in search of ice cream. The ice cream shops close every year at the end of this month, so we have to get the good ice cream while we can. We ended up at a small shop near our apartment, called MioMio. I had a cone with chocolate and another mystery flavor. It was delicious.
When Melanie and I got home, we saw that our host mom put little dishes of Mozart-kugels (balls of chocolate with Mozart's picture on them) on our pillows. It was sweet, but we'd had enough sugar already.
I was going to go out with some other people that night, but I decided to stay in and go to sleep early.
This morning, we went to the Naschmarkt, which is the most famous Viennese open-air flea and food market in a town square nearby. There were so many things to look at! However, you're supposed to bargain with the vendors, so I'll have to wait to buy things till my German improves.
Most of the things being sold were really old instruments and shoes and pictures and books. I could have spent all day looking at the things, but it was very crowded and I don't like crowds too much.
Afterwards, we left to go home, eat lunch, and catch up on homework.
Frauke got lunch for us at a nice restaurant (dating from 1785) and we ate outside in a small art garden in the lawn.
We had a traditional Viennese lunch of cheese, ham, greens, vegetables and bread. To drink, we mixed wine and soda water from pitchers to make g'spritzer, a chilled, refreshing lunch beverage.
Afterwards, we split up. Melanie, Melissa and I left in search of ice cream. The ice cream shops close every year at the end of this month, so we have to get the good ice cream while we can. We ended up at a small shop near our apartment, called MioMio. I had a cone with chocolate and another mystery flavor. It was delicious.
When Melanie and I got home, we saw that our host mom put little dishes of Mozart-kugels (balls of chocolate with Mozart's picture on them) on our pillows. It was sweet, but we'd had enough sugar already.
I was going to go out with some other people that night, but I decided to stay in and go to sleep early.
This morning, we went to the Naschmarkt, which is the most famous Viennese open-air flea and food market in a town square nearby. There were so many things to look at! However, you're supposed to bargain with the vendors, so I'll have to wait to buy things till my German improves.
Most of the things being sold were really old instruments and shoes and pictures and books. I could have spent all day looking at the things, but it was very crowded and I don't like crowds too much.
Afterwards, we left to go home, eat lunch, and catch up on homework.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Last Night...
I went to see Fiddler On the Roof. On the way home, we passed a small, typically Austrian tavern advertising Sturm, the fresh wine from the countryside. I told everyone I wanted to go try it, so we went inside. The Sturm was delicious (tastes like fizzy grape juice), the bartender was very friendly and spoke English, and we joined the rest of the patrons in watching the futball match on the TV.
Everyone in Vienna seemed to be wearing green and white for the match (with a few brave opposing fans in purple).
When we left the tavern, I had to connect to a different U-Bahn line than everyone else, so we split up. I transferred at a stop that I had never been to before. The signs were confusing, because of construction on the station. I followed them, looking for stairs, and ended up outside. I looked to my left and a homeless man was urinating right next to the door, so I turned to go back inside and a huge rat ran in front of me. I freaked out and ran inside. I eventually got to Westbahnhof, to transfer again, only to find that the train going in my direction had ceased to run for the night. The sign was flashing something in German, so I asked the older lady next to me what it said. She spoke a little English, and I a very little German, so we eventually figured out where I needed to go.
That was the first time I haven't felt very safe in Vienna. On my ten-minute walk from my U-Bahn stop to my apartment, I put my keys between my fingers, just on case. However, it was only midnight, so there were still enough people out.
I'm not going to be staying out past midnight I think, because then the confusing night buses start and the U-Bahn stops running some of its trains.
However, today I'm going to the library with Frauke, and then on a hike, and then maybe to a free concert tonight.
We didn't make it to the Kunsthistorisches yesterday, on our excursion, but Svetlana promised that we would make it one of these days. Instead, we had a great tour of the Burgtheater. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgtheater) I found some pictures of it at the bottom of this page: http://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/austria/a_wien_burgtheater.htm
The staircase entrances are amazingly ornate. During Franz Josef's reign, neither were open to the public. One was for Franz Josef, and the other for his family and Archdukes and the like. Some of the paintings on the ceiling are early works by Gustav Klimt, and the theater was burned during WWII. However, because some people put sandbags to block the two side entrance staircases, the priceless paintings on the ceilings were not too damaged by smoke.
We also had coffee at Cafe Central, the most famous coffeehouse in Vienna. Freud and other notables used to hang out there. It was nice, but expensive. I got a cappuccino and it was over US$5. I guess you have to pay for the atmosphere too.
Afterwards, I went back to school and had German and Holocaust Lit. classes.
Everyone in Vienna seemed to be wearing green and white for the match (with a few brave opposing fans in purple).
When we left the tavern, I had to connect to a different U-Bahn line than everyone else, so we split up. I transferred at a stop that I had never been to before. The signs were confusing, because of construction on the station. I followed them, looking for stairs, and ended up outside. I looked to my left and a homeless man was urinating right next to the door, so I turned to go back inside and a huge rat ran in front of me. I freaked out and ran inside. I eventually got to Westbahnhof, to transfer again, only to find that the train going in my direction had ceased to run for the night. The sign was flashing something in German, so I asked the older lady next to me what it said. She spoke a little English, and I a very little German, so we eventually figured out where I needed to go.
That was the first time I haven't felt very safe in Vienna. On my ten-minute walk from my U-Bahn stop to my apartment, I put my keys between my fingers, just on case. However, it was only midnight, so there were still enough people out.
I'm not going to be staying out past midnight I think, because then the confusing night buses start and the U-Bahn stops running some of its trains.
However, today I'm going to the library with Frauke, and then on a hike, and then maybe to a free concert tonight.
We didn't make it to the Kunsthistorisches yesterday, on our excursion, but Svetlana promised that we would make it one of these days. Instead, we had a great tour of the Burgtheater. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgtheater) I found some pictures of it at the bottom of this page: http://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/austria/a_wien_burgtheater.htm
The staircase entrances are amazingly ornate. During Franz Josef's reign, neither were open to the public. One was for Franz Josef, and the other for his family and Archdukes and the like. Some of the paintings on the ceiling are early works by Gustav Klimt, and the theater was burned during WWII. However, because some people put sandbags to block the two side entrance staircases, the priceless paintings on the ceilings were not too damaged by smoke.
We also had coffee at Cafe Central, the most famous coffeehouse in Vienna. Freud and other notables used to hang out there. It was nice, but expensive. I got a cappuccino and it was over US$5. I guess you have to pay for the atmosphere too.
Afterwards, I went back to school and had German and Holocaust Lit. classes.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Bibi...
... is my host mom. Right now, it's 11 pm and she's playing a loud video game in her room, which is next door to our room. She plays this game all the time! I wonder about her sometimes.
Tomorrow is the great Ringstrase excursion and I get to take a new route, using buses and streetcars, to get there. The afore-mentioned public transit vehicles are much more daunting to navigate than the U-Bahn, because of the pre-automated-vehicle construction of the Viennese streets. Nevertheless, one day I will find be able to find the reason in their madness. (I can't remember quite how the expression goes)
Tomorrow night I am also going to watch Fiddler On The Roof with the other members of the Holocaust Lit. course. Our prof, Ann, set up bimonthly movie times for our class, so that should be fun.
German is growing on me. I used to think it an ugly language, and last on my list of languages to learn. It's not that bad, actually. It's just precise and guttural and doesn't flow quite as nicely as French. However, hearing German all around me, with many different speakers, I can appreciate the language much more.
Also, I've discovered that I love hearing English spoken with a true German accent.
Frauke had a few of us over for tea. She mentioned that her apartment was one of the only ones in the building that has running water. It's strange for me to think that one could live in the heart of Vienna and yet have to go out to a fountain for water everyday.
Tomorrow is the great Ringstrase excursion and I get to take a new route, using buses and streetcars, to get there. The afore-mentioned public transit vehicles are much more daunting to navigate than the U-Bahn, because of the pre-automated-vehicle construction of the Viennese streets. Nevertheless, one day I will find be able to find the reason in their madness. (I can't remember quite how the expression goes)
Tomorrow night I am also going to watch Fiddler On The Roof with the other members of the Holocaust Lit. course. Our prof, Ann, set up bimonthly movie times for our class, so that should be fun.
German is growing on me. I used to think it an ugly language, and last on my list of languages to learn. It's not that bad, actually. It's just precise and guttural and doesn't flow quite as nicely as French. However, hearing German all around me, with many different speakers, I can appreciate the language much more.
Also, I've discovered that I love hearing English spoken with a true German accent.
Frauke had a few of us over for tea. She mentioned that her apartment was one of the only ones in the building that has running water. It's strange for me to think that one could live in the heart of Vienna and yet have to go out to a fountain for water everyday.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Indian Summer in Wien
Frauke announced that today's forecast is 22 degrees Celsius. She sounded excited and said it will be like summer again. I think that means 70's Fahrenheit, but I can never remember that equation.
Maybe after classes we can visit a vineyard, since some people in our group are adamant to do so.
I started my Vienna 1900 class yesterday and I have a feeling it will be my favorite class for several reasons: 1, our professor is Ukrainian and named Svetlana (I love the name); 2, she loves American students because she says we're more open-minded than our European peers; 3, she brought in 99% cacao chocolate for us to try during a break in class; 3, one of our text books is dedicated solely to Klimt, one of my favorite artists of all time; 4, tomorrow we're taking an excursion to the Ringstraße and the Kunsthistoriches Museum, one of the greatest art museums in the world, and I found out that it's only a few blocks from my apartment.
Other than that, EU Politics and Economics class will no doubt be instructional, but the economic portions might be a little dry for my taste.
German is fun, because Frauke is teaching it, and she's an amazing woman.
I start my Holocaust Lit. class today, so I've yet to see what that will be like.
Yesterday night, I rode the U-Bahn with a few friends to the river and walked across the very long bridge. It looks shady on the other side, but we walked along the pathway, in between the beachfront bars. The bartenders kept calling to us in German, "Servus! Bitte!" and some other things I didn't catch, but we just said "Nein, danke" and ignored them.
Whenever groups of us go out, we meet in Stephansplatz and I think we should pick a new meeting point, because Stephansplatz is very touristy and crowded. (I just looked at the last few sentences and realized that I sound snobby.)
Some girls are going to the Slovak Republic this weekend, but I'm definitely staying in Vienna to explore some more.
P.S. I am probably driving everyone crazy because I love saying the name of my street: Neustifgasse. It's so fun to say.
Maybe after classes we can visit a vineyard, since some people in our group are adamant to do so.
I started my Vienna 1900 class yesterday and I have a feeling it will be my favorite class for several reasons: 1, our professor is Ukrainian and named Svetlana (I love the name); 2, she loves American students because she says we're more open-minded than our European peers; 3, she brought in 99% cacao chocolate for us to try during a break in class; 3, one of our text books is dedicated solely to Klimt, one of my favorite artists of all time; 4, tomorrow we're taking an excursion to the Ringstraße and the Kunsthistoriches Museum, one of the greatest art museums in the world, and I found out that it's only a few blocks from my apartment.
Other than that, EU Politics and Economics class will no doubt be instructional, but the economic portions might be a little dry for my taste.
German is fun, because Frauke is teaching it, and she's an amazing woman.
I start my Holocaust Lit. class today, so I've yet to see what that will be like.
Yesterday night, I rode the U-Bahn with a few friends to the river and walked across the very long bridge. It looks shady on the other side, but we walked along the pathway, in between the beachfront bars. The bartenders kept calling to us in German, "Servus! Bitte!" and some other things I didn't catch, but we just said "Nein, danke" and ignored them.
Whenever groups of us go out, we meet in Stephansplatz and I think we should pick a new meeting point, because Stephansplatz is very touristy and crowded. (I just looked at the last few sentences and realized that I sound snobby.)
Some girls are going to the Slovak Republic this weekend, but I'm definitely staying in Vienna to explore some more.
P.S. I am probably driving everyone crazy because I love saying the name of my street: Neustifgasse. It's so fun to say.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thaliastrasse
Today I rode the U-Bahn by myself for the first time to school. I have a pretty easy commute, with only one transfer, so it's not too bad. My neighborhood's stop is Thaliastrasse on the U-6 and my school's stop is called Volksoper, because there's an opera house next to the stop.
During my German class, we walked around the neighborhood a bit, to see what's around the school.
And I discovered...
They have ALDI in Wien!!! It's called Hofer, but the sign was the same. I am so excited. Tomorrow I'm going to get groceries there.
Today, on my walk home from school, I realized that we live in a "poorer" side of town. There are plenty of Eastern European immigrants around us and, from the comments of my host mom, there seems to be a good amount of prejudice surrounding them. My Viennese host mom even got special locks installed after the borders were opened, to protect against the rising theft rates. The prejudice might be partially justified, but it reminds me of some people's attitudes towards Hispanic immigrants in Indianapolis.
I had my first real class and I was thrilled. I got a book and assignments and everything. I had forgotten how much I love academics (at least in the first few weeks after break).
This class is the EU Politics and Economics class. I have three presentation assignments and a book discussion assignment already. I chose Slovenia and Belgium to research and I'm also researching Immigration in the EU and other Internal Security issues.
Next month we'll be traveling to Zagreb, Croatia. I'm excited for that, too. I also have to fit a trip to Budapest in, but I already have some people who say they'll go with me.
Some people are going to Oktoberfest, but I think I'd only go if I lived near Munich. As it is, I'd much rather stay here than hang out with a bunch of "Bierleichens".
I have yet to try some Sturm, which is the fresh wine from the surrounding countryside. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow...
During my German class, we walked around the neighborhood a bit, to see what's around the school.
And I discovered...
They have ALDI in Wien!!! It's called Hofer, but the sign was the same. I am so excited. Tomorrow I'm going to get groceries there.
Today, on my walk home from school, I realized that we live in a "poorer" side of town. There are plenty of Eastern European immigrants around us and, from the comments of my host mom, there seems to be a good amount of prejudice surrounding them. My Viennese host mom even got special locks installed after the borders were opened, to protect against the rising theft rates. The prejudice might be partially justified, but it reminds me of some people's attitudes towards Hispanic immigrants in Indianapolis.
I had my first real class and I was thrilled. I got a book and assignments and everything. I had forgotten how much I love academics (at least in the first few weeks after break).
This class is the EU Politics and Economics class. I have three presentation assignments and a book discussion assignment already. I chose Slovenia and Belgium to research and I'm also researching Immigration in the EU and other Internal Security issues.
Next month we'll be traveling to Zagreb, Croatia. I'm excited for that, too. I also have to fit a trip to Budapest in, but I already have some people who say they'll go with me.
Some people are going to Oktoberfest, but I think I'd only go if I lived near Munich. As it is, I'd much rather stay here than hang out with a bunch of "Bierleichens".
I have yet to try some Sturm, which is the fresh wine from the surrounding countryside. Maybe I'll do that tomorrow...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Day 3
It's hard to believe I've been here for only 2 full days. I've seen so much already.
Today we rode the streetcar to the first district (The City) with Frauke, our site director.
We saw the Hofburg Palace, the church were the Vienna Boys Choir sings, and the equestrian statue of Josef II, among other things.
We had a brief overview tour, but I want to go back sometime soon and see St. Michael's church, were the buried remains of previous rulers lie. These remains are apparently well preserved, so you can even see the clothes they were buried in. Also, across the square is another church, were the hearts of some rulers are kept. They give tours after mass on Sunday.
Some people are going out tonight, but I think I'll stay home and get settled. I'd rather not wear myself out too soon.
I knew that European women tend to die their hair bright maroon and blueish colors when it turns white, but I didn't realize they'd be everywhere! It makes me smile.
Monday, we start classes and we are encouraged to sit in on all the classes, to see if we'd like to change our schedules. I think I'll stick to my current listing, which is: German (Beginning), Crosscultural Communication, Austrian Voices: The Nazi-Holocaust in Literature and Culture, The Political Economy of European Integration, and Vienna 1900.
I'm looking forward to beginning school, and I have a nice commute to the building. It's only about 20 minutes by bus and U-Bahn train.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Today we rode the streetcar to the first district (The City) with Frauke, our site director.
We saw the Hofburg Palace, the church were the Vienna Boys Choir sings, and the equestrian statue of Josef II, among other things.
We had a brief overview tour, but I want to go back sometime soon and see St. Michael's church, were the buried remains of previous rulers lie. These remains are apparently well preserved, so you can even see the clothes they were buried in. Also, across the square is another church, were the hearts of some rulers are kept. They give tours after mass on Sunday.
Some people are going out tonight, but I think I'll stay home and get settled. I'd rather not wear myself out too soon.
I knew that European women tend to die their hair bright maroon and blueish colors when it turns white, but I didn't realize they'd be everywhere! It makes me smile.
Monday, we start classes and we are encouraged to sit in on all the classes, to see if we'd like to change our schedules. I think I'll stick to my current listing, which is: German (Beginning), Crosscultural Communication, Austrian Voices: The Nazi-Holocaust in Literature and Culture, The Political Economy of European Integration, and Vienna 1900.
I'm looking forward to beginning school, and I have a nice commute to the building. It's only about 20 minutes by bus and U-Bahn train.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Friday, September 11, 2009
I'm Here!
After more than 48 hours, I've arrived at my host mother's apartment in district 8 of Wien.
I love how close everything is in cities like this. The bakery and grocery store are right down the street and we have a diner, a chicken place and another restaurant next to us.
The transit system is confusing, because of the chaotic layout of Wien's streets. My roommate and I will travel on the U-Bahn to school tomorrow.
Today we walked around and saw the Universität Wien. The school is gorgeous (and serves good, cheap food for students). I had tilapia, soup and cucumber salad for less than 5€.
All the food here is served in huge portions, and the Viennese around seem to be able to eat all the food on their plates. Maybe I'm just still recovering from the trip over.
Last night, I walked around with a couple people and we wandered into a circus. We didn't see anywhere to buy tickets, but as soon as we walked in, a man started running after us, asking for our tickets. It caused a little scene and he made us leave. That was fun. Then we walked to a Government building and took pictures with a huge statue of Pallas Athene. We rode a streetcar for a little while. Then, we finished the night off with a visit to a pub by our hostel.
The people here are friendly enough, but, like in most big cities, not too warm. Our host mom, professors and site director are great, though.
Tomorrow I will be going to more orientation and then have a free day on Sunday. I can't wait to explore the city more!
I love how close everything is in cities like this. The bakery and grocery store are right down the street and we have a diner, a chicken place and another restaurant next to us.
The transit system is confusing, because of the chaotic layout of Wien's streets. My roommate and I will travel on the U-Bahn to school tomorrow.
Today we walked around and saw the Universität Wien. The school is gorgeous (and serves good, cheap food for students). I had tilapia, soup and cucumber salad for less than 5€.
All the food here is served in huge portions, and the Viennese around seem to be able to eat all the food on their plates. Maybe I'm just still recovering from the trip over.
Last night, I walked around with a couple people and we wandered into a circus. We didn't see anywhere to buy tickets, but as soon as we walked in, a man started running after us, asking for our tickets. It caused a little scene and he made us leave. That was fun. Then we walked to a Government building and took pictures with a huge statue of Pallas Athene. We rode a streetcar for a little while. Then, we finished the night off with a visit to a pub by our hostel.
The people here are friendly enough, but, like in most big cities, not too warm. Our host mom, professors and site director are great, though.
Tomorrow I will be going to more orientation and then have a free day on Sunday. I can't wait to explore the city more!
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