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