Below is a picture of the school I attend here in Austria:
Its also starting to get colder here.....what a surprise! Im used to being in a bathing suit until Christmas in Florida, but here in September, Im already bundling up in the coats, scarves, and boots! The weather is also starting to become a bit gloomy. The months of September and October mostly contain rain and no sunshine, which is kind of a bummer but every once in a while the sun comes out and its a wonderful day!
All of the exchange students recently took a trip to Die Tauplitzalm where we had a hiking weekend. Es war viel spaß! (It was a lot of fun). Although it was very cold. This Floridian girl saw her first snow! We stayed in the Linzerhaus, which is a small inn on the mountain. On Saturday we had a wonderful hike all together. Below are some pics from the hiking weekend!
Overall it was a very fun time with all the other exchange students! In about 2 1/2 weeks, all of us will spend a weekend in Vienna, the capital of Austria! Im very excited to say the least!
Earlier in the month of September, I went on a bike ride around the city of Bregenz with my mom, Ursula, and my younger sister, Eva. We visited the Oberstadt/ Altstadt in Bregenz, which is the old city. We also saw the Martinsturm, which is a former granary in the first court of the Counts of Bregenz. It was built in 1601 and is topped with an onion shaped dome. Its considered to be one of the landmarks of the city of Bregenz on Lake Constance.
I also went with my family to Feldkirch, which is a medieval city on the border of Switzerland and Lichtenstein. We visited the major landmark, which is the castle called the "Schattenburg". It was beautiful and had a beautiful view overlooking the town. Inside the castle there is a restaurant which is famous for their HUGE Wiener Schnitzel. Of course I ordered one and i couldn't even finish half of it. Also because it was served with a giant platter of Pommes. We also went shopping in the town and then headed to the tiny country of Lichtenstein for a reunion party for my host mom.
The last month has consisted of many things for me! Ive been very busy. Whether it be just playing soccer with my cousins in the garden or visiting a castle, or hiking in the mountains, its all wonderful and I am truly enjoying my time here! I also went to the Skyline Park in Germany, which is like a small theme park. I went with my host sisters and cousins along with a youth group from the church in our town. We also attended the Jugenvesper, which was a night of songs and activities in our church for all of the teenagers. I tried to sing along in German but my Dad, Peter, thought it was quite funny how when the English song was sung by the choir, I was the only one in the crowd singing! For me it was just another everyday song that I know like the back of my hand! Afterwards there was a small party. It was really interesting to see how youth group events here and at home compare and contrast. Going out on the weekends has also been fun. We go bowling, hang out at someone's house, go to a disco or bar/cafe, or even maybe McDonald's! :) I really love the sense of relaxation and independence. I can pretty much take a bus anywhere or possible ride my bike anywhere I want to go. I don't have to drive or have my parents drive me like at home. Transportation is so much easier and practical. Also I can just go with friends into the city and just find something to do. There are so many new places to explore, see, and experience. Im not sure the country of Austria has an ugly place. Everywhere you look there are rolling hills, mountains, rivers, beautiful towns, churches, and much more. Oh and also the church in my town has been my "life raft" many times now. When I get lost on my bike or even trying to find my bus stop, I look for the church above Wolfurt and from there I can find my house!
(One night in the Disco)
(A Day in Dornbirn with some friends)
I have of course also had my "Typical Exchange Student Moments". Getting lost.....making language mistakes all the time.....my personal favorite is when my class was taking a day trip to Lindau, Germany. They were going by ship and I wasn't quite sure where my class was meeting so two friends from school asked me to meet them at the Bahnhof, which is the main train/bus station. So first off, I missed my bus, so I waited for the next to take me so I was already running late. Then I got off on the wrong stop and had to wait for another bus. By this time the whole class was supposed to have met and walked to the ship. By the time I made it to the Bahnhof, I was super late and then received a phone call from my Dad asking where I was because my teacher had called. Then he told me that the ship left in 8 minutes, so I ran to the harbor but then missed the Ship that was taking us to Germany! ....It was a rough morning but eventually I got there :) Thanks to my host dad who drove me.
Also just today, there was an event in Wolfurt called the Wolfurter Herbsmarkt. It was like a small festival/ market with many things for sale, food, games, face painting, and also a mini orchestra. My host father also sang with a group at the Markt. I enjoyed the day with my sister Eva and Mark and Jackson who are exchange students in the area. Afterwards we came back to the house and played a couple small soccer matches in the garden :)
Well Also here are some random points that Ive remembered and decided to write here:
- Usually shoes are not worn in the house, unless they are slippers or "house shoes"
- All shoes are kept by the door or on a rack somewhere near the exit of the house, so everyone's pairs of shoes are all near the door and not in your room.
- A handshake is the normal greeting in almost all cases
- 'mahlzeit' or 'Guten Appetit' are the usually sayings to begin eating
- Also for "cheers" or toasting with alcohol, everyone clinks glasses and usually says "Prost!"
- sometimes dogs are allowed in restaurants
