My Unintentional Abandonment: Living the Austrian Lifestyle

So, I'm going to start this blog by apologizing for being the most terrible blogger ever to step foot on Austria's soil. It's been over 10 days, and I have been lacking on all channels of communication, EXCEPT uploading pictures onto Facebook. My plan for this blog is to walk everyone through these very eventful days.


Orientation Begins: U of I has set up a huge 2 week orientation for us to get to know the German language, Austrian culture, and Vienna better. We've been exposed to Viennese cuisine, landscapes, landmarks, German, Bier, Sturm (the best wine EVER, but it is only in season during this time of the year), and cheap transportation.

Entrance to Vienna Univeristy

Our Honorary Parents, Evit Nitsch and Professor Bruce Murray

Cafe' Central Interior: A famous Cafe in Vienna. The inside was gorgeous and the coffee and deserts were EVEN BETTER!!

Melange: A famous Viennese choice

The inside of Cafe' Central: gorgeous and very fancy

                 

  
St. Stephen's Dome Revisited: St. Stephen's Dome has been one of our favorite parts of Vienna. I blogged about it a little bit before, but we found out that there is a staircase built inside of the tallest tower, and for a small price, we can climb to the top and get an amazing view....Well, friends...that was the most miserable 400 steps (spiral, dungeon style, with no lights except for small windows) I've ever had to endured. But worth it!!

The nearly impossible spiral staircase!

I finally made it to the top!

So far, I have traveled outside of Vienna twice. Once to Durstein, Austria, and the second to Graz, Austria.  Durnstein has been my favorite thus far. So to keep everyone posted on my two weeks, and what you can expect here on the blog side, I am climbing the Alps tomorrow (wish me and my leg luck).  Monday morning, I am leaving on a morning train to Prague.  We will stay there for two days and return for meetings on Wednesday afternoon.

Then the real fun begins: I leave for Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany on Thursday night.  We will return on Saturday.  After planting some trees for a good cause in Vienna on Sunday, I will venture off to Croatia for a quick getaway (as if I haven't been doing that for the past 2 weeks).  In October, I have also booked trips to Budapest, Crakow, and Frankfurt.  

Stay tuned to some really interesting blogs to come. I am going to try and stay on top of my updates. 

P.S. For all of those who are wondering, YES, I am here for school.  I start class on October 12!! I'm more excited for that then most of my trips...I NEED STRUCTURE in my life.  

We're just 3 business students looking for a global education :-)

The University of Illinois Exchange Family (minus a few)!