Seeing Vienna

So I think my school is pretty cool.

The organizers are friendly and helpful. Full of advice and how-to's.

And they really want you to get a full experience of Vienna.

There's tons of little extras that we, as students, get to enjoy at next-to-no cost.

Yesterday I got to experience once of those extras.

We went on a 3hr bus tour of Vienna, complete with a tour guide (hey Mrs. O!) who happens to be one of the History teachers for the school.

At first we toured what many consider to be Vienna, we saw the Opera house, and the museums (didn't go in - we just saw them). Then went and visited a summer palace. She pointed out different statues and relayed their meanings. We also went up, up into the Vienna woods and drove along side the Danube River.

I found it very enjoyable. I could have done an entire day tour and not minded at all. I got to see lots of places where I want to go back and tour a bit more - this time with my tripod so I can actually prove I've been there LOL.

But here are some of my shots from yesterday, including the one and only self portrait I have (somewhere, Jessica Lee is so disappointed in me).

We started @ Belvedere, a summer guest palace.

Getting my panorama on.

Me and the palace (the one and only self portrait I have)

Then up through the Vienna woods and then out again and when we emerged, this was our view.

An altar. Vienna is extremely Catholic so they have these amazing altars.

A really cool building designed by a man who said everything didn't have to be so cut and dry

A New Routine

I've developed a routine here in Wien (pronounced: Vee-nuh).

The alarm goes off at 7a, I hit snooze until about 7:30a, hop in the shower, dress, eat, then leave for school.

Now we are blessed to be in a location where the trolley runs right to our front door. So every morning, I hop onto the trolley and take it to the U-Bahn. There are two U-Bahns that I take. The final drops me in Stadtpark, which is a quick 5-10min walk to Johannesgasse 7 - AKA Palais Corbellis AKA My School (!).

The whole trip takes me about 50min (one of these days I'm going to try riding a bike and see how long that goes. You can rent a bike - known as the City Bike - for very cheap. In fact, the first hour of every ride is free so if I can make it to school in an hour, I'm set).

Starting at 9am I have German for 2hrs 45min. Some days I learn a lot, others my eyes glaze over and I revert to Spanish. Like today. Whoops.

I'm free by 11:45a and depending on the day, I will either wander or go straight home. My trip home is the same I take in the morning, only in reverse.

Once again, the trolley drops me right at my front door and I climb the 4 flights of stairs to our "penthouse" apartment (penthouse because it's on the top floor). There is no lift. You should have seen our faces when we found that out, suitcases in tow, Sunday. Good times.

I walk through the door and I always call out, "Hello". Just in case. I have two roomates now and do not want to startle them. But the greeting is always the same: silence. No one is home. They will be home hours later, after their own class has finished and they've made new discoveries in the city. But for now, it is just me and an apartment that has spent its day cast in shadows, windows closed, curtains drawn. The air is still and slightly muggy. There are no fans, no AC.

This is my job. Everyday, I bring life back into the apartment. I go to each window - two in the bedroom, two in the livingroom, and one in the hallway. I throw back the curtains and the room lights up. I turn the handles and the curtains billow with the influx of air.

The apartment breathes again.

My routine is complete.

Lord, I am exhausted.

Seriously, seriously exhausted.

But I'm here and it's beautiful.

A quick overview: Got into Vienna (Wien - pronounced "Vee-n") on Wednesday of last week (OMG - almost a week ago!), took a bus from the airport to the Westbahnof, got spectacularly lost and wandered around for what seemed like hours (probably about 2), finally found the hotel and crashed.

The next day I got up and met the rest of the IES Vienna group and we were all whisked away into the mountains to a tiny village called Mariazell, where we stayed and "bonded" (I put it in quotes because, let's get seriously, you know I didn't really "bond" with anyone. I hate being put in large social groups. I do not do well) until yesterday (Sunday). During this time we were introduced to the program, the directors, got some minor stuff out of the way and people drank. A lot. I did not. I sat in my room and cried at the lack of internet (a little. but it was on the inside).

We also found out our room situations. I'd previously been told I was rooming with two girls and now found out we'd be sharing one room that had 3 beds.

I was slightly apprehensive thinking how we'd work but once we got here, we found a pretty big apartment. All 3 beds in 1 room but we're not "on top" of each other, we've each got desks, shelving, and a wardrobe. It's pretty nice.

Today was our first "official day" of school - but not really. It was only the beginning of our German Intensive class. I'm in the Elementary I (meaning I don't speak a word) and my class with be for 3 weeks @ 9am. The others are reprieved until the afternoon I believe but I really do not mind because, seriously, this city is gorgeous and it's fun getting lost in it.

Like I did today. I wandered around, bought some stuff I needed, and eventually jumped on a U-Bahn (picture a subway) and took it way to far. So I got off, backtracked and started walking. And walking. And walking.

I walked really far and really long and finally gave up and called Bern because I was just so. tired. She was able to point me in the right direction (twice - ugh) and I got home pretty quick after that. Felt really nice to just sit and relax.

So that's pretty much gotten everything caught up til now.

I guess it must be picture time, eh?

Me in my apartment (you can't see anyone else's beds )

The best shot I got of St. Stephen's Cathedral

The many, many stairs we climb to get to and from our apartment

Mmmm, lemon sorbet (and a view). Figured, I'm lost - why waste it?!?

Our hostel in Mariazell

On My Way...

So, if you're reading this and it is approximately 3:00pm (PST) or after on August 18th, then the automatic posting for Blogger worked (yay!).

At this very moment, I am sitting (or should be, at least) on the plane that is going to take me high, high into the skies for about 10 hours. There are 2 legs of my flight: The first is from Los Angeles to Frankfurt, Germany. Then, the second, Frankfurt to Vienna, Austria.

After I touch down, I will (if the airline hasn't lost my luggage...) take my bags and hop on the train for a 30min or so ride to the Westbahnhof station. My hotel is in walking distance of this station and I hope to be all checked in and settled by 5pm - 5:30pm latest (I know I am going to be exhausted).

I'm not 100% (or even 50%) sure how I am going to spend my evening but hopefully, I can recharge with just a catnap and then spend some time walking around my new home for the next 4 1/2 mos.

Thursday (the 20th) is a big, big day for me. This is the day that I meet with the rest of the IES Vienna students and we get whisked away into the mountains for our Orientation. There is a 99% chance I will not have any internet access well into next week, so do not panic. We're used to this blog being silent, right?

Alrightie people. Wish me luck!

Let the adventure begin!

Because this is exactly what I need to do instead of packing...

I stayed up quite late putting this together. I'm not sure why but all of a sudden, I really wanted to do this. So I did and without further ado, I present my memorial video of the Tobey Man.

So Long Charlie

I am officially cat-less. On Tuesday, Charlie and I drove the 400+ miles to Auntie Vamps in Salinas (with a quick stop over in LA to drop Robby off @ Nana and Papa's).

When I was first tossing around the idea about going abroad, my one big reason for not being able to go was because I had the Boys. Well, Auntie Vamp quickly shot down my reasoning by graciously offering to take both Tobey and Charlie for the duration of my stay in Austria.

Sadly, Tobey managed to get out about two weeks ago and, even sadder, has vanished, which here, usually means he didn't make it. I've gone 10 rounds with myself over him getting out but in the end, there's nothing I can do to change the past and Charlie still needed a good home while I was gone.

Auntie Vamp's it was. Only first, we had to get through the car ride.

In the beginning, Charlie was...shall we say...not too fond of the car:

He started with a sweet and short protest.


No thanks, I think I'll stay right here. These little peddle things make a cool backrest.

When that didn't work, he resorted to screaming.

Look at the road not at the camera, crazy woman!

Then, after two hours of pretty much non-stop howling, he calmed down (read: passed out):


After a ridiculously long amount of time, we arrived at Auntie Vamp's:

Finally, ground that doesn't move!

To make sure Charlie was adjusted to his new surroundings, I stayed a few days and listened as my little King schooled Auntie Vamp in exactly how he likes things done, including food never served above room temperature, belly rubs at any given moment, and unimpeded access to the chest when he wants a snuggle.

After we snorted our "yah, rights" to that, I told her just to make sure he had food and water and a clean box and the boy was good to go.

Luckily, Charlie has had a soft spot Auntie Vamp from day 1 (literally) and he was willing to negotiate the exact terms and conditions. Because he loves her, see?

Mr. Charlie man and his Auntie Vamp on adoption day (she clearly won his affections)

Now, I am back in San Diego and missing my little man very much. Auntie Vamp has already texted to say that he is getting along very well in his new surroundings and even has a new BFF - who just happens to be Auntie Vamp's BF. But even though he's being spoiled out of his mind right at this very moment with things I've probably denied him for the past year, you can see in his eyes how much he wants me back soon, right?

Crazy woman, you won't get me back in that car alive...

When Heartbreak Has A Name

Tobey 2005-2009

Charlie and I were blessed to have you for the last year (and FYI: this is why I didn't want you to get outside...you don't come back). See you in Heaven, baby boy!