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.