Of Buda and Pest

A few weeks back, during our long weekend, Nisha Serge and I took a trip to Budapest, Hungary. ‘Twas a weekend of exploration, rain, tea, pictures, and beer.

Here are some snippets from the stream of thought I wrote in my journal:

Buda. Pest. Real. Lived in. Old. War. Hungarian. Goulasch. Indecipherable language. Cinnamon Latte.

 Cinema Hostel. Central European University. International. Committed to change. Gender Studies. Social Anthropology. Thesis. Scary. Amazing. Cheap. Gluehwein. Cheap. Exchange rate. Angry woman in money exchange office. Really angry woman. Coolest tea house ever. I can't remember how to say "Thank You" in Hungarian! Dome. English. Old subway. Loud subway. Post Communist. 1950s. Strange food. Confusing money. Pretty. Rainbow. Double rainbow omg all the way across the sky.

 Parliament. Red Carpet. Visiting important person. Ridiculously good looking men. Hummus bar. Much needed. East meets west. NY landscape. Beautiful Danube.

Beautiful people. Beer. Simple Garden (bar). 1.5 L of beer. Smoke. My eyes are smoking. Catwoman room (our hostel room theme..Bike and Build PROM appropriate!) Small grocery stores. Cheap Joghurt. Weird cheese chocolate thing. Yummy hollow cinnamon pastry thing. Really windy. Opera. Castle. Anonymous Statue. Park. Really, really fast escalators. Scary escalators. Speaking German. Michael Jackson tree.
Orange Ways. Cheap bus. Tired. Is he your brother? Singing Serge. Adele. “I wish nothing but the best for you…uuuu don’t forget me..” Glee. Serge meets another Spaniard! Seriously attractive men. French Toast. Gorgeous city. Adorable Christmas Markets. Awesome local tour guide! "I was like, seriously?"San Francisco guitar. VW van!!

Good friends. Good times. So much laughter :-)

Cheers,
Muffin

You know its a good day when you play Creedence Clearwater Revival, Rusted Root, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Bod Dylan in your class...
Friday was a teacher sanctioned "Fun and Games" day so I decided to bring in listening exercises using some of my favorite songs. The students warmed up with "Wagon Wheel," easily the theme song of my summer, and were fairly accurate in crossing out the words as they heard them. Next they filled in the blanks for "Up Around the Bend."

come on arise and win

and we'll meet by the other day

keep your mind on a crystal haze

Rusted Root's "Send Me on My Way" was quite challenging for them, as it is for any native English speaker..

I mean really..

I would like to reach out my hand..

mbada say mbdada do. (you know what they say about the young)

'OMG ICE AGE!!!!!'

Bob Dylan also proved to be challenging though I let them work in groups.

It was so funny to see them dancing in their seats and sometimes hard to stifle laughter at their answers. However  I was very impressed at their comprehension skills, I shouldn't be talking...my German listening comprehension isn't exactly great. Nor are my normal Bob Dylan skills.

In other news:

I've noticed a recent explosion of the New York Yankees logo here in Austria. Hats. Pencil Pouches. Shirts. Everything. I asked a class about it while holding up said pencil pouch. They guess it was for a football team, the New York Knix, or just for NYC in general. I attempted to explain who the Yankees were but I think the concept was lost on them. Apparently a store, called New Yorker, has started selling products plastered with this logo. Its a big hit with the students.

Alas I will just giggle a bit to myself everytime I see an Austrian proudly wearing the Yankees logo.

Still no snow in Vienna..
8 days until Christmas!
Cheers,
Muffin

Flashbacks

While listening to a fourteen year old student describe his favorite television commercial I couldn't help but notice the Enrique Iglesias lyrics posted on the class cork board. The lyrics were written in purple cursive, under the title "How to Love <3"

Well, folks:

Would you dance
If I asked you to dance?
Would you run
And never look back?
Would you cry
If you saw me crying?
And would you save my soul, tonight?

Would you tremble
If I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh please tell me this.
Now would you die
For the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms, tonight.

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I would stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.

Would you swear
That you'll always be mine?
Or would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care
You're here tonight.

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I would stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.

Oh, I just want to hold you.
I just want to hold you.
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care
You're here tonight.

I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by your forever.
You can take my breath away.

I can be your hero.
I can kiss away the pain.
And I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.
You can take my breath away.

I can be your hero.  I have no idea what this student's favorite TV show is, nor any of his peers within the vicinity of these lyrics. I managed to stifle my laughter, but became lost in flashbacks to awkward middle school dances. Needless to say this made my day.

Medical Anthropology

            Since I pay a few hundred Euros a month for health insurance I’m ok with the fact that I actually had to use it.

            The story begins last week when I began experiencing mild tooth pain. No biggie, but I figured I shouldn’t let it go. My teacher Ursula was nice enough to book me an appointment with her dentist and set up all of the details. I woke up yesterday morning, ate, and caught the train to Göllersdorf. This is the same train that goes to Hollabrunn, though I had to take the “slow train” or Schnellbahn (which ironically means fast train) which stops at every village from Vienna to Hollabrunn in lieu of taking the “fast train” which goes directly to Hollabrunn with only two stops in between. I stepped onto the platform in Göllersdorf an hour later, greeted by the smell of fields and farms. If you are from Horseheads, NY, or anywhere upstate, you know what I’m referring to.



This is what happens when you Googleimage Goellersdorf.



The wind rustled and blew my hair in my face as I tried to read the directions I had printed. I was delighted to see that the streets were not marked and that I in fact had no idea where I was. Thankfully the village was extremely small, perhaps the size of the Ithaca College campus, and I managed to arrive only five minutes late. I would have asked for directions and arrived on time, but there was literally no one in sight. The village was dead. It was like a Stephen King book. Eerie. I got the feeling that I was riding through one of those extremely small towns (read: three streets, no stores, no schools, nothing) we encountered in the Midwest on Bike and Build. I could see the limits of the village while on the train platform. It was surrounded by fields and vineyards. And there was no one there.



Train station.



            The Dentist was the most happening place in town, and had a very futuristic feel with completely mirrored walls and modern red chairs. You had no choice but to look at yourself while reading the Austrian equivalent of Better Homes and Gardens.

            And so begins my dental adventure. At first my insurance card wouldn’t work. The receptionist put it in a credit card reader type machine and it came up blank. Awesome. I was asked to fill out a form pertaining to my medical history, but due to my American-ness was kindly allowed to fill in my name and birthday. “Are you allergic?” “Do you have baby?” No no no. “Ok you sit now.” I waited for forty-five minutes in a room full of men over fifty. They were all rather adorable, and we greeted each other upon entering the room -“Gruss Gott” -or parting ways -“Wiederschon.” There was a sense of community, we were all in this together. I was X-rayed. I waited another thirty minutes.

            The receptionist, she was very nice and I think she liked me, told me that the insurance company will send me another card in a few days. All is good.

            Once in the chair I was asked why I was in Austria and how I find it. There was a red light-up bear staring at me from the corner. I think it was supposed to be for Christmas, but who knows. The room was also very modern; with glass everywhere and a large computer screen displaying my x-rayed jaw right in front of my face. Instead of paper, they put a plastic bib around your neck.

            Dr. Denninger arrived and politely asked “what can I do for you today?” I explained my situation and we had a look at my X-ray. My opinion mattered, and she discussed the image with me as if I was an expert. She was delightfully friendly and not at all condescending. I didn’t sense the doctor-patient power disparity like I often do in the US. She asserted her opinion and then actually asked mine. She then poked around in my mouth. Without rubber gloves.

            My X-ray looked fine, and after hitting my tooth repeatedly with a metal object and asking if it hurt more than the others (yes, ouch) she conceded that there actually wasn’t anything wrong with me. No visible infection, a good filling, healthy gums, etc. I am to take antibiotics- not psyched- and if I don’t feel a change in five days I am to visit her colleague in Vienna for another consultation.

            I was in and out of the chair in fifteen minutes, though I spent almost two hours in the office. I had to take the train to Hollabrunn in order to get back to Vienna thus the whole ordeal wasn’t over until 1 o’clock.

            Overall this was sort of a pleasant experience. No shrill drilling noises, no screaming, and a polite staff. No one seemed nervous or anxious, we were just kind of hanging out in this glass room listening to Lady Gaga and 80s throwbacks. No co-pay. My prescription cost a mere 5 euro 50 and was filled in seconds, no ritual thirty minute wait while the Pharmacist twiddles her thumbs. Thank you, Austria.

Weihnachten

Well, I’m four pieces of delicious Milka chocolate into my Advent calendar meaning the holiday season is officially upon us. Vienna is simply magical. Austria is simply magical. I love this city and I love this country.

Thanksgiving was certainly different this year. TAs in Niederoesterreich received an invitation for an formal governmental welcome for that Thursday and I made the journey to St. Poelten with my colleagues. We were given an extensive tour of the land museum, government buildings, and presented with a wonderful spread of cold cuts, bread, cheese, and assorted alcoholic beverages. However the governor himself happened to be “too busy” for us making the whole thing a bit of a disappointment. I was unable to make my much anticipated mashed potatoes and squash until Saturday due to this evening out and my school’s open house on Friday night. Needless to say I sort of pigged out and still have a surplus of potatoes. I do miss pumpkin pie, turkey, and stuffing. Oh Pumpkin pie..

Walking through the main square in Hollabrunn and nearly anywhere in Vienna fills me with that warm and fuzzy holiday feeling, and certainly makes up for Thanksgiving. A rather large tree now sits in Hollabrunn and the streets are full of Glüwein stands. Vienna is absolutely glowing. Lights illuminate the streets with shades of blue, white, and gold and I can’t help wish I was a child again. Christmas markets are bustling and full of energy and joy. Joy. I can’t think of a better word. Everything is, again, just so warm and fuzzy. You can’t help but feel giddy and jolly.

So far I’ve been to a few Christmas markets with friends, and have loved them all. The Rathaus market is closest to my apartment, but its extremely gawdy and touristy. I was equate it to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. Pristine setting and backdrop, yet confusingly consumerist and touristy contents. The Punsch tastes like Robitussin.

Idaho. I mean, the Rathaus.

However this is easily countered by Schönbrunn and Spitelberg, which are very traditional and quaint.

Yesterday a group of us ventured to Steyr, a typically Austrian (read: fairytale type of charming) town in OberOesterreich. We spent the day roaming the cobblestone streets, taking in the Christmas air and enjoying sweet treats. The main square was full of stands and shops selling handcrafted gifts and tasty treats; lots of metal workers demonstrating their talents and other artisans displaying their works. I’m pretty sure we made the local news by simply standing and gawking at the blacksmiths. While eating ridiculously delicious (and oily!) Goulasch we were serenaded by the men’s choir and horn ensemble. It was all just too precious.

While I gawk at the Christmas atmosphere and all of this Austria-ness I struggle to put this into words. Yes, it is precious. We simply don’t have anything like this in America. I’m sorry, but only in Austria is it completely normal to find the adorable old man in his leiderhosen drinking wine and belting holiday tunes with his buddies in the center of town. Or a woman offering her “homemade medicine” for 2.50, aka Jagermeister with a hint of something we just can’t put our fingers on. When asked where she was from she responded, simply, the North Pole.  

Lately I have just felt my heart fill with love and joy. I am so completely happy and content in this city.

Well I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from blogging but I’m back, I promise. The past month has been rather eventful and I feel quite content having settled into my apartment and routine here in Vienna.

A quick rundown of events which have transpired:

-David coming to visit. The walking tour of Vienna, the Opera, and amazing culinary delights. We enjoyed a candle lit, music filled dinner in Grinzing in which David sampled traditional fare and I enjoyed a stuffed goose. Yes, you read that right. Stuffing, Goose, and beat salad. The ultimate comfort food.



Fall colors by the Hofburg.



-I met up with my friend and former professor Heidi. She treated me to a delicious meal at a traditional restaurant complete with savory and sweet pumpkin seeds, the best wine I’ve had yet, and delicious desert. (I wasn’t kidding about culinary delights!) It was so wonderful to see her and catch up. IES seems like such a long time ago, though being back in the city allows me to relive many memories!

-Fellow Fulbrighters and I were given a tour of the Theater an der Wien. I wish my pictures had turned out better. The theater itself was stunning, and shined with blue and gold décor. While the tour was done I German I felt that I understood a decent amount and was able to follow most of what was being said. Progress.

-Following the tour my friend Lauren and I ran to the Musikverein to take in the Brahms Requiem. I don’t even know what to say here. Having studied this piece in my IES music history course I was beyond excited to hear it in person, by the Vienna Philharmonic. It just doesn’t get any better than this..

Well, needless to say, I was pretty much floored by the first note and giddy with excitement throughout the performance. Bliss.

-In the spirit of all that is musical and Viennese I continued my evening at the Opera with An Italian in Algiers. We played the overture back in High School- oh wind ensemble!- so I was also ridiculously excited about this performance. My friends and I honestly enjoyed every moment of the Opera, though it was wildly sexist and totally un pc.

-We ended the night at our favorite bar. I’m not entirely sure what its real name is, but we refer to it as “Scrabble Bar” as we play German Scrabble every time. The owners know us and our drinks of choice. Can’t complain.

-Tag dur Offen Tur. (Open House). I stood in the back corner of the language room as groups of parents and prospective students were led around the BHAK and ultimately to the language room. I felt a bit awkward just standing in front of American-ness (a flag, baseball glove, my bike and build stuff) and didn’t really know what to say. I ended up introducing myself and talking a bit about America. The students sitting with me would then give a schpeel  auf Deutsch about my classroom appearances. This was quite entertaining as they would refer to me as “die Kaitlin” or literally, “the Kaitlin.” Yes!

-On Thursday Nisha and I rode the CATS train home. No, really. The engine was completely black, with the white cat from CATS perched near the window… OEBB does such interesting advertising partnerships I really just can’t explain this.

What?!

-I actually went on a rather successful run last Sunday as the weather was unusually warm and sunny. Through the old neighborhood, up Kaasgrabenstrasse, and down through Grinzing. Oh, memories.

Hey December!

 Quick note... I have heard this song at least twice, no, probably more than twice, every day since the beginning of November.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8gmARGvPlI&ob=av3e

Makes me want to spend Christmas in a secluded Alpine hut. I'll tease my hair and wear stylish tights and an oversized sweater.

And I'll surely be that man at 1:40 who's super excited to be playing in the schnee.

Happy Holidays!!

Personal Teflon

            I’d like to thank Sir Kent for providing the phrase, Personal Teflon. Having Personal Teflon is essential when living in a foreign country, and navigating life in general in Vienna. I love it here, but I’d like to share a few of the ups, and subsequent downs that have required me to make like Correlle ware and just let it go.

Highs:

School is awesome.  My students are amazing and overall are pretty easy to work with. Some classes are much more challenging, and I am greeted by smells of lunch, b.o., and farts. “Hey, someone needs to open the windows it stinks in here” I said with no remorse on Tuesday to a group of fifteen year olds. Hey, it could be worse. Yesterday I finished a lesson on Boston in which the students rotated through activities like reading a T map, navigating through the city, and ordering at a restaurant. This made me crave Clam Chowda’ and Cape Cod immensely. In another class we discussed cultural misunderstandings, and next we’ll I’ll round that out by showing clips from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I’ve taught on double standards and gender in three classes, and the last class of eighteen year olds was very enthused and had much to say. In the conversation class we discussed advertising, controversial advertising, and the representation and exploitation of women by the media. YES!! What a wonderful feeling it is to bring what I have learned at Ithaca College across borders to an Austrian classroom in which students really care about what I have to say.



Frau Schneider and I at the Cape, Fall '10



Austrians are such warm and welcoming people. I asked two teachers where I could buy cheap blankets and one responded, adamantly, that she would let me borrow one of hers and don’t even think about buying one! She came back before our conversation class with a thick blanket and offered to buy me another as a “Thanksgiving Present.” I respectfully declined, which was hard as Ursula was adamant, and explained that I only needed one. (For guests, as I have a spare mattress but not enough warmth). I am so thankful. I have also gotten offers for free Schnapps and other assorted alcoholic beverages, along with an invitation to Volleyball fun.

I am amazed at the amount of free time I have, and my low level of stress. What a relief it is to live here, and leave the stressed, overworked, overtired life my undergraduate years behind. Austrians relish relaxation and free time. And beers. And wine. It really depends on who you ask. Yesterday’s class poll displayed an even split between wine and beer drinkers. I myself go for the wine.. Stress? Why should you be stressed? This attitude is only bolstered by the ridiculous amount of holidays. Tuesday is Leopold’s day, a holiday marked by the ritualistic sliding through a barrel, and consuming copious amounts of wine.

Other happy moments: buying a three dollar purple fleece blanket (don’t tell Ursula), a 99 cent purple washcloth, discovering that Interspar, a massive grocery store, sells all things bike related from tubes and tires to helmets and pedals, enjoying my daily commute, being called Frau Kohberger (it sounds so right), and welcoming our new roommate Lily! She is working as an au pair, and has come from Romania. I love this international apartment!

Teflon Moments:

I am now officially official in Vienna. I have a shiny card validating my legal residency status and allowing me to receive money. I am now registered as living in my Viennese apartment. In order to do so I submitted a dutifully filled in form at town hall of sorts this morning. The woman who helped me was not happy, and promptly told me I did it all wrong. After staring at me, my passport, and asking about my address she stamped the form and gave me my receipt. Deep breath.

Austrians are such warm and welcoming people. Yes. Viennese people can also come across as incredibly rude. The woman who sold me train tickets at Westbahnhof acted like it was the hardest, most annoying thing to do and frowned at me when I asked about prices. Many Americans would consider Viennese people to be unfriendly. You do not make eye contact with strangers or say hi to people on the street. No small talk with the cashier and definitely don’t expect to make friends with your waiter. Such is not the case in small villages.

Other low moments include walking through a cloud of smoke as students light up immediately after stepping off the train in Hollabrunn, a few lost in translation moments, cranky cashiers/government people/members of the general public, and still waiting to be paid. Oh! And paying 40 euro on top of the $112 I spent in America for my residency permit. Bullocks. And Sallie Mae. We are not friends.

Hysterical.

But..its Nisha’s birthday and that means cake, chai, cake, wine, and good times.

Be Well,

Austrian Muffin

-One of my students though Walmart sold Animals. J

Ich wohne jetzt in WIEN!

Hallo from Vienna!
I. Am. So. Happy.

 Last Monday I packed my bags once again and set off for Vienna. This last encounter with public transport was made much easier by my wonderful friend Sam, as he helped carry my luggage. Since Monday, or rather Halloween, I've settled into my new abode and few quite at home. My room is a bright yellow, accentuated by posters of Marilyn Monroe, artsty furniture, and gallery style lights that hang from the ceiling. I've added a touch of Muffin by decorating with postcards from Bike and Build and Hawaii, tapestries, and a good ol' map of 'Murica on which I've traced the route of P2S '11.
I've even been cooking! Mmm penne and pesto.

I'm feeling a bit of writer's block, so I'll let the photos do the talking.

Due to All Soul's Day and All Saint's Day, and the notion of "Oh why bother?" I enjoyed a one day work week. Some of my friends haven't gone to school in ten or so days. Nisha and I decided to wander through Zentralfriedhof, which was decorated for All Soul's Day.

On Wednesday I visited Meredith in Eisenstadt, a gorgeous small city in Burgenland, or as she says, "The Canada of Austria." Its absolutely gorgeous, and I would rather love to live there. And hey, you can accidentally take a train home from work that stops in Hungary first! We enjoyed delicious coffee- yes I've become a coffee person, its official- and conversation in a quaint cafe where the waiter thought it would be funny to fake spilling coffee on Meredith. We were also stared at quite a bit, something which is socially acceptable here. Oh Austria..

My old IES pad!! Alfred Wegenergasse...

Nisha and I took a lovely long stroll above the city and down Kahlenbergerstrasse into the 19th district. The hills are alive...

Gorgeous.

Very typical fall stroll  for a Grinzing couple.

Nisha and I have officially decided to start playing the lotto. Once we collect our winnings I shall move here. And yes Mom and Dad you can live here too...

Before meeting up with the crew today I decided to spend a bit of quality journaling time at Schloss Schönbrunn. Behind the Schloss lies a labyrinth of gardens which were particurly stunning in the fall sunlight. 

AUSTRIAN SQUIRREL!!




*GO BOMBERS! FLYING SQUIRRELS!!*

 Time for lesson planning...
More soon.

Be Well,
Muffin

Happy Austria Day!

Sunrise over Hollabrunn

 To be completely honest, I’m bored. I’m frustrated. And I’m really sick of living in the Sporthotel.

 I feel like I’m waiting for something, and I’m not sure what that something is. Today I managed to stay in bed until 12:30. 12:30. WHAT?! I’ve never done that. That’s over twelve hours of sleep. *Ok, to be fair, I haven’t slept well the last two nights because of the insane wind..no seriously…in my state of sleeping delirium I though a tornado was about to touch down in Hollabrunn, Austria. Its been pretty crazy here..* I played the wake up and fall back asleep game until I finally came to my senses. Today we’re off because of the national holiday, and next week we have three days sans school. Sweet deal.

I cannot wait to get paid. As of now I’m doing fine financially, but it doesn’t help that I’ve had to buy so much food since we can’t cook. Frequent trips to Vienna to look at flats have also added up. I just want to hop on a train to the Czech Republic, or anywhere, but I can’t until we get paid- November 15^th.

I’m not sure if I’m totally here. Serge, Nisha, and I have just returned from McDonald’s where we heard Teddy Geiger (“for you, I will”…oh man, High School) Maroon Five, Aretha Franklin, and Adele. I had a Chai and a chocolate muffin, it felt just like Starbucks. While I’m clearly in Austria, I’m ready to really feel like I’m here. To get my groove on. To live in the city and to have a routine that involves real person things. Not just some combination of school and McDonald’s/Kebap/Coffee and hours on my computer. I’m over it.

Given the opportunity to do nothing, quite frankly the three of us tend to do nothing. I often go for walks but the weather has been pretty miserable as of late. I should be studying German.

Trees!

While I am exceedingly happy to be living in Austria, a huge part of me misses home. This weekend I missed my grandmother’s services in NY and Pittsburgh. This left me feeling very empty as I knew my family was together celebrating her life. I decided to walk in the Vienna woods and enjoy plenty of chocolate things just as grandma would have. Of course this was lovely. I miss fall in Ithaca more than I can say. Pumpkin Ice Cream at Purity. Fall on the lake. Everything. Fall here has been quite underwhelming so far. I can’t decide if it really hasn’t started yet, or this is it.



Hiking



Ranting aside, I will be able to move into my apartment on Sunday evening, though I probably will sometime Monday or Tuesday. I am beyond excited to move to Vienna! Yesterday I explored the surrounding streets and found boutiques, a cupcake shop (yes), art galleries, a traditional Bohemian restaurant, theatres, and a gorgeous church. Not to mention I’m a five minute’s walk from the Opera and Museumsquartier. The girls are wonderful, and I’m sad to see Amaya leave. I feel like we’d have a lot of fun together! However, I am taking her room, and am so thankful for a place to call home. I think it’ll be a great eight months with Gabriella, and I can’t wait to see her perform! (Both are actresses).

I’ll be out of this phase soon, I’m sure. I just have to get through.



More hiking



I did attend a mixer at the Austrian American society last week. I met a lot of nice people and hope meet up with them again soon. Another plus- free wine and food! By the way, if you're reading this Cliff Katz, Meredith and I are waiting. Get your butt out here now!

Serge, Nisha, Sam, Robyn and I went out on Friday night to Hollabrunn's "nightclub." Capris is a bar/restaraunt with multiple purple rooms full of zebra print things. We enjoyed cocktails and ran into a few of our students. They're not a day over sixteen, but legal in Europe!

In other news, I’ve met three more classes and all have gone well. This week I taught about the Industrial Revolution, American Houses, Facebook, Halloween, and Gender Double Standards. When introducing herself to me, a student said her Father has 199 children. Hmm. I wonder what she really meant. I smiled, nodded, and turned to the next student.

Be well,

Muffin

Well, here I sit relaxing on my bed, as I’ve newly discovered that the internet *sort of* works in my room! Which means that yesterday I spent about four hours watching a documentary about Gypsy weddings in the UK. Don’t get me started on that one…

This weekend has actually been rather lovely. Serge and I went for a long wander yesterday. I took him on my running path through cobblestone lanes and by wine cellars and those summer houses. We then ate lunch like a true Hollabrunner- at the Kebap shop- and walked to the Friedhof, or cemetery.

Serge strikes a pose

Pumpkins!!



Serge in front of our school



The rest of the afternoon was a long Siesta, and afterwards I dined on ice cream for dinner. We proceeded to have beers and chat. Today  I spent a few hours running/walking/ok fine mostly walking through the woods though my ears were quite cold by the end. We have just returned from the Kebap shop..

Our food choices are limited. McDonald’s, Kebap, Café where we can order cheese and veggies on toast followed by cake. Yup. I stopped in McDonald’s for a chai Wednesday and happened to bump into the mayor, a young successful looking man with his posse in tow and a really nice Lexus.

School this week went quite well, and I didn’t miss any lessons! I taught on a variety of topics, though I think my activity on censorship went over quite well. I had the students, eighteen years old (win), divide themselves into groups and discuss whether or not to censor Rebecca Black’s latest scandalous video. Some of them got the Friday Friday Fridayyyy joke, others not so much. In another class students created their own charity event after seeing my Bike and Build video. (Oh, Bike and Build, I miss you!) We then had a long discussion about housing issues, etc in Austria. My conversation class went very well, and the students surprised me with their knowledge and willingness to push subjects like racism. Heavy subjects are common discussion in the Austrian classroom. These kids are not coddled, or taught that Thanksgiving was just a friendly gathering between some white folks and those Indians. No no. I love it here! While a certain bias exists, I would say that Austrians are willing to acknowledge history as it occurred, and modern situations as they are.

I have many students with the name Florian. One likes to be called Flo. I love this.

One of my students thought Chicago was a state.

The verb “make” is used for everything. We make a party. Do you like to make parties?

The best part of my week is easily Friday night…I have a place to live! For real this time! I’ll be living with a lovely young Swiss woman in the eighth district, near the Rathaus. This is an excellent location, with an even better price. My commute will be quite easy, and I’ll be in central Vienna.

Rathaus Wien

I finally feel like things are coming together. My friends and I are beginning to scheme our travels- Croatia, Montenegro…warmth. I would love to go to Ithaca, as in, ITHACA, Greece.  Soon I’ll have a real place to call home, a kitchen, and hot tea whenever I’d like. I’m ready to thrive. To live in Vienna and just exist.

In other news, I do miss Ithaca! The Farmer’s Market, the lake, gorges…oh man. Say hi to her for me, would you please?

Cheers, and be well

Muffin

My Baby Plays the Guitar..I Pick the Banjo now..

Songs I literally can't get enough of latelly...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gX1EP6mG-E&ob=av2e

as ambiance for my apartment search...and to get me through a day's work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5DeY3H1oaU

I'm in such a bluegrass folky phase right now, its brilliant. Its very comforting to say the least..and has lead to an intense desire to relearn the guitar or learn the banjo. No, seriously.

Anyway..random thought of the day.
Happy Sunday!

Do you like Schnitzel? And Other Moments from the First Week of School

Well, I’ve successfully gotten through my first week of classes like a big girl!

            While there were a few minor blunders- confusion over my schedules between the two schools, completely missing one of my classes because I’m an idiot, faulty technology, etc- I seem to be doing ok. So far my schedule rotates on some incomprehensible manner, but I have every other Wednesday off. And maybe Thursdays? And we’re working on Fridays because the teachers understand I want to travel and think the kids don’t care on Fridays anyway so why not have me come in on Wednesday instead. Phew. I don’t know. For know I just have to go with it, and say yes to everything. I’m working thirteen hours a week, so I do have plenty of free time. Right now it doesn’t feel this way as I’m constantly planning lessons and making sure I’m doing everything correctly. Once I settle into a routine and get to know my teachers and students things will become easier.

            The two schools, Bundeshandelsakademie and the Aufbaugymnasium, share a beautiful old building and are joined by a chapel. The BHAK (a business oriented high school) doesn’t seem to hold any religious focus, but the Aufbaugymnasium (typical high school) has crosses in every classroom and starts each morning with a prayer. There is also a resident Father who roams the halls. He has a very ethereal air and it seems that he saw right through me while shaking my hand. I’ve actually seen him in town twice since then.



My School(s)!



            My teachers have been exceedingly warm and welcoming at both schools. I met with Martina- the teacher who is basically in charge of me at the ABG- on Wednesday, and she greeted me with coffee and two pastries (eat, eat!). Wine bottles littered the lounge, “I swear, we’re not in the anonymous alcoholics, it is someone’s birthday, would you like some sparkling wine?” On Friday I enjoyed fresh grapes after class. After hearing the schpeel about Bike and Build I gave to his class, Reinhard offered to let me borrow his “fancy schmaancy rayyhicing bhhyyke..and I ask my cyyhcling club for your about byhkes.” *That’s an Austrian accent..

            Every class is different, but my students have been pretty good, though I can forsee challenges with some classes. Honestly, this whole thing can be pretty nerve racking! I’ve gotten the usual gamut of questions- “Do you have a boyfriend?” “Do you have dogs?” “Do you make parties?” “Why do you like Austria?” “How old are you?” “Do you have kids?” (Oh God no..) and all have asked for my last name in an attempt to find me on facebook. Most are enthusiastic in speaking to me because I’m foreign and super cool, while some are smartass (excuse my language) eighteen year olds who giggle at nearly everything I say or sit there with blank expressions. That’s always fun.

            So..tonight I’ll be planning lessons and thinking of ways to get those kiddies to talk!



Surroundings of Hollabrunn



            In other news the apartment search continues with mixed results. I spent over an hour viewing one in the 19^th district (yessss), sipping coffee and playing with one adorable Dachshund. (Coffee!! I hardly drink it, but you just can’t say no when its offered to you!) This might be too good to be true, so more details once I have the results. The whole process is a big blind date. In the states landlords wait on your call. They want your money. Here it is, well, I’ll consider you and a list of fifty other candidates and ultimately decide based on some random feature like your hair color, how you dress, or whether or not you speak Icelandic and spend your free time knitting. I don’t even know. At least I was rather put together yesterday, and wore my purple scarf for good luck.

            The Sporthotel continues to be the Sporthotel. Monday evening I was drawn to the basement where I found middle aged Austrians line dancing to music from Lord of the Dance. A neighboring house raises chickens, so we’re woken by roosters, and often here sounds that are undeniably from a Pterodactyl.

            Honestly, I’m in no position to complain. I’m in Austria and this is my year to do me. I’m going to exist without the responsibility of college and four jobs. (And how would you like that cooked? Well tonight we’re featuring our Multepulciano..) I’m anxious to frequent the Staatsoper and Musikverein. A ballet on Monday, the Wiener Philharmonic on Friday. The usual. Once we get paid I’ll hop on a train to Budapest and start planning my travels. I’ll cook for myself and find a yoga studio. And imagine this, tea and pumpkin cookies on my own couch! Soon enough..



Steph, Lauren and I atop Vienna last weekend. More sightseeing occurred while apartment searching this weekend.



            I’ve also come to understand that I currently live in rural Ohio. Running through the hills behind the hotel I can’t stop thinking about Bike and Build. The scenery is identical to that on our way to Gambier (oh, what a day). Fields that go on for ages, and tractors turning the soil. Honestly, I wouldn’t have a clue that I was in Austria, except for the trains, BMWs, Wind Turbines, and Vineyards. Ok, I guess I’m in Europe. Small farmhouses line the cobblestone streets leading to the hills, which are dotted with small orchards and surrounded by fields of crops and golden grass. It is truly gorgeous here. The leaves are changing and fall is in the air! 



Where I run



            Cheers, and be well,

Austrian Muffin