Tut Tut... Looks Like Rain!

Hello again from Wien! (thats German for Vienna)

It rained for most of the day again. I feel like we're in London, or Michigan in April, or the rainforest with all of this rain! What is ironic is that the forecast predicts sun and high temperatures starting on June 3rd, the day we leave Vienna. That would happen.

The class I'm taking over here is called Austrian Art and Architecture. Its pretty fun, mainly because we go visit and tour various sites around the city, to learn first hand about the different types of art and architecture. We've been to a handful of museums, visited Roman ruins, and have visited multiple churches, including St. Stephen's Cathedral (see the picture). Today, we visited Belvedere Palace, and looked at many different sculptures and paintings. One of the coolest things that this class offers is the chance to see famous works of art up close. I've seen works by Michealangelo, Claude Monet, Rembrandt, and many others from an arms length away. If there ever was a way to learn about art, this is it! Visiting these places helps keep my attention to the subject, which is also helpful. We have to keep a journal for the class, which is not hard, but I am avoiding at the moment. I don't know much about art, so to me it is all interesting, but I don't feel like I have much to say about things other than "it's really beautiful."



I swear weird, funny things have their way of finding me. Remember how I got shut in a bus door last week? Yeah, well this week I got scolded by an Austrian grandma while waiting for the subway. It was finally warmer out (ie. NOT 50 and raining) so I decided to wear shorts and flip flops yesterday. Well, as I was standing there, a short little old woman walks by, and just starts looking at me as she passes. She proceeds to look me up and down, look me in the eye with that "disapproving-grandmother" look, and then make a long comment to me as she walked away. However, I have no idea what she actually said, because it was all in German, and it wasn't like I was going to stop her to ask her to say it again in English. I just stood there and didn't say anything. (Amanda told me that I was awkward for doing that - but seriously, what would you do!?) I would be interested in what she had to say though. It could be pretty funny.

A few other amusing things I feel you should know. 1. Dogs are EVERYWHERE. They are on the subways and buses, in restaurants, and popping their heads out of purses left and right. Many people don't even have their dog on a leash if it isn't required, and all the dogs seem to be quite well trained. 2. Birkenstocks (the really really comfy shoes made here in Germany) are mainly used as house shoes here in Austria. According to Fanni, people rarely ever wear them out of the house, and when they do they are usually old. We told here that in the States, people wear them religiously in the summer (and some people where them year round with socks, but we're not going to talk about that), and she just laughed. Another culture difference I guess. 3. The main food staples of Austria consist of the following: bread, meat, and booze. Seriously, I don't think I've ever eaten as much bread as I have here. It is all delicious (seriously I love it), but I feel like 80% of my daily food intake is in the form of bread. They also sell alcohol everywhere. There are some little carts that stand only to sell booze. You can even buy it at McDonald's, and the checkout stands in the grocery store have a little line of pocket size bottles of liquor. Oh, and Austrians love their meat, especially their sausages. Stands selling hot dogs and brats are on almost every corner. When you order one, they normally come in a massive roll of some sort. What... more bread! See, I told you it's everywhere.



This weekend, we're taking our second trip of the term to Prague, in the Czech Republic! I am very excited for this. It is supposed to be a beautiful city, with great sites and great shopping. There is supposed to be internet at the hotel, so we may get a post up while we're over there. After this trip, we'll have visited 4 countries on this trip! Not to shabby. Well, seeing as how I have homework to finish, its time to wrap this thing up. Oh crap... tut tut... looks like rain!

Molly