Good-bye Graz

This is where I went to school for the last semester; Karl-Franz.

The path to school.

Berlin

Prague

The Sahara

I spent the last two nights in the Sahara staying in a tent and hanging out with a Berber family. It was really an incredible experience. After a meal of couscous and mint tea the Berbers played their drums around the fire for us. I had never seen the stars so well. Other Berbers from surrounding camps slowly trickled in following the sound of the drums. People were dancing and singing; Berber, French, Dutch, and English being spoken. It was enjoyable just to sit there and take it all in.

The Medina in Fez

We just got out of the Medina, which is the largest car-free urban environment on the planet. It was really something else. We decided to hire a guide for a few hours to take us through the streets of the market place. This was the best idea we had had all day seeing as the place was practically a labyrinth. I bought some spices, tea, and bartered for a rug. We finished our tour with a helping of couscous and mint tea.

Amsterdam

I know this isn't the most attractive picture but once again I find myself paying too much to use internet. Amsterdam is quite an interesting establishment. The city is a product of sailors and traders whose reputation precedes her. Canals that run through the city’s streets make navigating the city interesting. Many elaborate houseboats are housed throughout the canals, some of which are even hotels. On the subject of navigating the streets, I have never seen so many bicycles in my life. Our tour guide, Mason, told use that they pull 25,000 bikes out of the canals every year. There are more bicycles than people. Within 15 minutes of being in the city I was almost hit several times. Our hostel was great. It had a very warm atmosphere with really friendly travelers. We explored the Van Gogh museum one day and a bicycle tour of the city the next. It made for a relaxing weekend. Away we go to Brussels.

Cinque Terre

A mother, her two daughters, and myself seemed to be the only ones on the train from Pisa Central to La Spezia that evening. After asking the train man multiple times and having him yell at me in Italian as he didn’t speak English, all four of us determined which train we had to get on from there to get to Riomoerre. This occurance brought us together and we decided to hike Cinque Terre the next day together. The city of Riomaggiore was jaw dropping. It sat right on the water almost. The building and houses were all painted these red and yellow pastel colors. My hostel wasn’t bad. There were two girls staying in my room as well. They were from America as well and had been living in Spain for a year teaching English. I awoke the next day and met the girls at 8:00. We set out on our hike. The hike was amazing. It wasn’t too difficult either, just narrow and a lot of stairs in some places. We stopped off and had lunch in Vernazza. Our lunch was only sandwhiches but the view was enough to make up for that. We reached the final town around 16:00; took the train back to our town that we were staying in and said our good bye and went on our separate ways. That night I had three different girls staying in my room with me. There was Maria Isabel Lachenauer who was studying abroad in Scotland. Then there were these two girls/women from the States as well who had been living in Switzerland for over a year as nannies. They seemed like fun; If wouldn’t have had a 5:25 train in the morning I would have liked to go out that night with them. They were Allie Minnie and Shelley Albano. As a product of me waking up at 4:45 and hurrying out the door to catch my train I left my Chacos in my room that night. This picture is the last they were seen. It’s early in my trip and I can’t let that discourage me. Away we go to Amsterdam.

Cinque Terre

I have much to tell and many pictures to post but I'm pretty sure this internet cafe is going to chop off my arm as payment on my way out. So stay posted.

The Austrian Composite

The Only American

I am the only American in all of my classes. While this is nice that I've got the edge on English, I'm called on often and asked my opinion. With each answer I give I feel as if I am answering on behalf of America, answering simple questions with nervousness and ambiguity.

My heart goes out

Yesterday a huge earthquake hit Chile just before dawn. Leaving over 200 dead and counting. Usually I would wake up and tune in to the news and see this and think "wow that's horrible" and go about my day. This morning I woke to my Chilean room mate, Eduardo. His eyes were tired stricken and his face was contorted with worry. He had been up most of the night trying to get in touch with his family, of which he has still to do. He was able to talk with his cousins but has still yet to speak with his family. I can only imagine what a horrible feeling this must be for him. To be an ocean away from his family and not know of their well being. It made me proud to hear him say he was thank full for Obamas promise to come to aid if needed. I hope his family is safe and that he gets to speak with them soon.

The Murinsel

This is the Murinsel. It rest in the middle of the Mur which runs through the center of town. Inside there is a cafe and an amphitheater. I have still yet to go inside, I always just walk by and look.

Mardi Gras

I set out this morning to find a mac store that just so happened to be all the way across town. While hoping on and off buses and to and from trains I started to notice people dressed very obscurely. The first person I passed was a man in high heels, panty hose, a skirt, a tank top, pink hair, and lipstick that wasn't just on his lips but all over his face. Then I came across Lewis and Clark, saw a clown get off the next train, and then I asked a 60 year old woman with neon pink hair for directions. It was then that I realized that Graz just didn't have really obscure people but it was Mardi Gras. Apparently this town gets really festive with the holiday. So after getting my computer fixed I jumped back on the train and followed the accumulating crowd of people dressed to impress to the town center where there was a big parade.

My New Home

This is where I'm going to be living for the next six months. It's pretty nice and I was lucky enough to get a large room.

I'm living with five other international students and only one has moved in; Eduardo, which he constantly tells me I mispronounce. I can't get that tongue roll.

Anxiously waiting

Hey thanks for checking in on me. So this is where I'm headed in February, Graz, Austria. For the time being I am sitting around home just waiting to leave.