Wow, I just realized that it has been a while since I wrote my last post! I have been extremely busy during the last 4 weeks of the second semester with some intense upper division classes, a trip to Budapest, life at the UP Center, and a five day visit/weekend trip to Vienna with my parents. I may be loving the Austrian lifestyle, but I'm still in college, so no matter where I'm studying in the world, I'm going to experience the same old stressful classes and sleep deprivation like any ordinary college student. This semester I'm taking Fine Arts, Music, Metaphysics, and Theology (Christian Faith in Europe), and German- basically the same classes I took last year, but this time ALL upper division, except for German, which is a 200-level class. Again, this is a semester to get most of my core requirement classes under my belt so that when I go back to UP next fall, I will be able to work focus on my major and minors (classes that I actually enjoy and find interesting!). Oh, and did I mention that I have finally settled on a major? I'm proud to say that I'm now officially an English major and German and Music minor. I know I've said that I do believe it's crucial for one to speak a second language, but it's not obligatory that one must earn a degree in a foreign language. As long as you know enough vocabulary, verbs, and are able to understand a foreign language, then you will be in good shape. But, really, it's no required that all need to get a a master's or Ph.D in a foreign language, but if you want to go ahead. I think it'd be silly to stop speaking and taking German since I've been living in a German-speaking country for the past five months; especially since my speaking and comprehension of the language has gradually improved! And besides, since I'm now only a German minor, I only have to take one German class each semester. This way, I will be able to enjoy the language more and not have worry about taking the GED of foreign language fluency exams.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Budapest, Hungary for the weekend. It was a very beautiful and interesting city full of rich architecture, bridges, baths, markets, and lots of cheap food. The city is separated by the Danube River; one side known as "Buda" and the other side known as "Pest" and what do you know they just put those two words into one! We spent most of the time walking around (that was A LOT of walking we did) and seeing all of the historic landmarks, churches, and palaces. The city lights were so beautiful. I could see that Budapest had a lot of similar characteristics with Prague as in architecture, and style. One thing that I really did like was this huge indoor market they have. It had all kinds of food, such as fruits, vegetables, bread, meats, and cheeses as well as a bunch of Hungarian style clothing, tea clothes, dolls, etc. It was really cool and yet another great cultural experience. And best of all, were the Turkish Baths. It was freezing cold outside and the warmest bath was 37 degrees Celsius, which felt very nice and very relaxing. The bath we went to also had a spa where you could get a massages, manicure, pedicure, facial, etc, but sadly couldn't really fit it in on a college student's budget.
On February 1st, I went to the Salzburg Airport to meet my parents, who came halfway across the world just to see me- and have the chance to see Europe of course. It was a dramatic and somewhat emotional moment (mostly for my mom) because it was the first time they had seen me in five months. It was their first visit to Europe so they really didn't handle the whole jetleg thing very well (as I figured) and were just exhausted for the first two days. Of course, I did most of the speaking and leading them around. First, I showed them around the Center (where I've been living for the past 5 months) and they were amazed how nice my dorm is. Well true, compared to most other dorms, I've gotta say they are pretty nice. Sadly I had to go to class that afternoon and had to cut my tour short. The next day, we went out to lunch and then I showed them around Altstadt. I showed them around Linzergasse, Residence Square, The Dome, and all the magnificent views. I tried to take them up to the Fortress, but sadly the tram to get up there was under repaire. Again, I had class that afternoon and had to run back to the Center. Thursday, I got to spend more time with them since I'm done with class by noon that day and for the 39 of us Salzburger's, Thursday is Friday for us. Once, again we went out to lunch and then we went on the Sound of Music tour, which was very entertaining. The tour took us to all of the locations where they filmed the Sound of Music. It was so surreal for me being that this classic and internationally known film was (and still is) my all time favorite as a child, which I would watch continuously over and over again, and here I'm now living in the actually town. Our tour guide had a very good sense of humor, which made the tour more interesting. The tour was four hours long, but totally worth it as it took us out to the Salzgammergut Lake District and I was worried I wouldn't have time to have my parents see it. No matter the weather conditions, the lakes, mountains, and green hills are amazingly gorgeous!
On Friday morning, we set off to spend the weekend in Vienna. Since I had already been there twice, I ended up playing my parent's all time "Vienna Tour Guide" since I'm quite familiar with the city. We stayed at the very same hotel that my group and I stayed in the first time I went to Vienna as a junior in high school, which brought back many fond memories of my first visit to Europe. The first day I mostly showed them around Ringstrasse and the Innerstadt (Ring Street- street that circles around the inner city). The next day we went on a bus tour of the city. For the third time, I got to visit the beautiful Schonbrunn Palace. I was happy to show my parents one of my favorite places in the world, but unfortunately the weather was very windy, which limited our time in the gardens. Otherwise, we had a nice tour and my parents really enjoyed it. The best part of the weekend was going back to the Volksoper (yes, for the third time!) to see the opera Carmen. Not to make anyone jealous, but this was my second time to see Carmen at the Volksoper. This time was better though. Our seats were right in the middle of the second row, which gave us an excellent view of the stage and the orchestra. Carmen is my all time favorite opera. I just find the music so immersing and touching. There were many times I wanted to start singing, especially when Carmen sing "Habanerra" But, the whole thing was just amazing and I loved absolutely every bit of! Afterward, we went across the street for some Sacher Torte (a traditional Austrian chocolate cake that's very rich and melts in your mouth) and some very fine Austrian wine. What a way to end the weekend with my parents. The next morning we had to say our goodbyes as I headed back to Salzburg and they headed off to spend a week in Italy. I'm so thankful that they got to have the opportunity to come visit Europe and see what an enriching and fascinating part of the world it is.
Well, I have my midterm exams next week and a week from today, my group and I will be embarking on our three week long tour of Greece and Italy. I've heard from many past Salzburgers that it is the highlight of the year. I would have to believe them since the tour includes a visit to Athens, Pompeii, Pisa, Florence, Assisi, and Rome. Ha! This is one of the reasons I applied for this program. When will I ever have the opportunity to go on such an extraordinary tour like this? I have absolutely no idea! But I'm so grateful for all the tours and and experiences this year abroad is giving me. It sure is opening up my eyes to the world. Now I just need to get through this busy week of exams and before I know it I will be standing on the Acropolis in Athens!
