And the adventure continues…

I’m horrible at keeping this blog updated, but in my defense, my marketing group project has consumed my time over the past week… well that and the touring.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Nothing beats meeting new people just as your getting out of the shower. Jordan arrived at my door at what I would call ‘bright and early’ and he had made some friends on his way from the airport. So, I, in my bathrobe, invite Jordan and the Russian girl in. They left their bags with me while they head off to the housing office to get their keys.

Marketa, one of the Calgary students, arrived next. Lucky for me I was dressed and as presentable as possible this time around. Really, no sooner had she arrived at my door, when we were down ringing Jordan’s doorbell to wake him up. To our (very pleasant surprise) his roommate answered. Dragging Jordan from his slumber, he embarked on our first adventure as team Canada. We made it as far as the door of our building. There was a group of 4 people behind us asking if we were American. Close enough – but we’re Canadian was our response. The fact that we spoke English was enough – we had managed to make some friends! It turned out they were from New York, all studying in Vienna for the term. Now, as the newly instated team North America, we headed to our corner café for some drinks. 10 rounds of the famous German beer (for the boys – I had 2 espressos…) later, our first night all in Vienna together was a great success.

Friday, February 02, 2007

This afternoon we woke Jordan up once again… Marketa and I were perfectly fine with this though since it meant we got to see his roommate again. As we waited for Jordan to shower and dress we hung out in the kitchen and watched his roomie expertly prepare his supper. We learnt a few things as we hung out with him. It turns out he’s from Holland and he’s here studying International Law. Of course this perked my ears as I am still debating the International Law route myself. Anyway, the point is, this guy is one of the most beautiful people we’ve ever met, he’s very tall with blonde shaggy hair and brown eyes, he can cook and he’s studying law. This guy is the full package and Marketa and I have been pretty taken by him ever since!

With no plan in mind, we jumped on the tram and then the underground into the heart of Vienna. We wandered the streets in the city center before heading over to watch the skaters at Rathaus. We dined on some delicious crepes with nutella and bananas all while admiring the beautiful town hall. The similarities of Parliament Hill and the Rathaus weren’t lost on us, and I seriously think Mr. Harper should consider investing in a laser like the one here – it adds a serious touch of class.

When we got back to Molkereistrasse, we decided to explore the building a bit. We went downstairs to see the laundry room, but when we got there we could hear voices in the next room. Curious, we went next door and found the party room. Several people were throwing a farewell party for a guy who was returning to Belgium the next day. Everyone was very nice to us and invited us in and gave us free beer and wine. They were very curious of Canada, so we were asked many questions. Our hosts were from Norway and France. When we were leaving they made sure I had their skype IDs so we could keep in touch, and they invited us to their party the following night.

Saturday, February 3, 2007

We started out team Canada + my roommate, Wladdy. We had full intentions to go to Naschmarkt as a group. We made it to the U-bahn station where we were meeting Wladdy’s friend when they decided that the rain was too much for them and that a café would be much more their speed. However, we, being the crazy Canadians which won’t be fazed by a mere downpour trudged on. It was well worth our perseverance. The 1.5 kilometer market is always full of great stories. Marketa was accosted by a vendor who refused to take no as an answer. There is a huge flea market adjacent to the market, which I say looks to be more like a homeless peoples scrimmage… I was able to buy authentic sauerkraut from a big barrel, which is still in its bag in my fridge a week later… We found Cheese Land – its fun to translate store names here. Jordan refused to allow Marketa to buy a crazy dancing animal thing (think tickle me Elmo, but out of someone’s trunk) because as he insisted he could sing and dance so she didn’t need one – we have yet to see him sing and dance though. While buying pasta, the man pretty much forced us to smell his tortellini – didn’t know pasta really had a smell – just smile, nod and take your pasta and walk away!

Our next stop was the shopping plaza so Jordan could find a cable for the internet connection. While he didn’t find a cable, I did find a SIM card for my mobile. Even better, they were buy one get one free. So I took my two cards to the cash where she tried to charge me for both and then told me she only spoke German when I questioned the price. Again, lucky for me, I had a knight in shining armor behind me… Once again a random (and beautiful) Austrian boy came to my rescue and argued with the salesgirl for me. I got my two for one SIM card, thank you Mr. Austria.

When we got home that night team Canada quickly became team marketing. In a rush to make it to our new friends from Norway’s party Jordan and Marketa insisted on being the coolest friends a person could have and helped me get my assignment in on time… I’m not saying our answers were even close to right, but I did hand something in and we did get to go out. Too late to catch the underground to the party, we found ourselves at a Russian bar instead. It was the most random place. I quickly learned to try and not order something that wasn’t on the menu. If a long island ice tea is not on the menu Melinda, you do not have enough German yet to try and explain it to the waiter… What I ended up getting was 5 shots and a bottle of coke. Thankfully Jordan was a bartender in a previous life – he was able to make me a fantastically, yet incredibly strong, long island. Lesson learned. We toasted to our travel plans for Sarajevo – and ever since compare any price to the return bus fare to get us there… Good times… well until the next day that is!

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Feeling the very harsh effects of my lesson the night before, I was dragged to Prater. I quickly started to feel alive again as we walked around the park. I have dubbed the park the Disney world of Vienna. We cannot wait for the whole park to open in April. From the old fashioned carousel to the 25 go kart tracks and the infamous Prater Ferris wheel, this place is sure to be a great time, and it’s quite literally all at our doorstep!

Monday, February 5, 2007

A day of errands. We started at the housing office so Marketa could sign her contract and I could check about reservations for guests. We then made our way over to the school (after trying to register with the city but finding that the office had closed and moved away…). The poor International Office. They had no idea what was happening when we all showed up at their door. They had no idea how we could all already no each other. Little do they know… My courses have now officially been sorted out and I start my intensive German language training on Feb. 22 at 8am. Although I am starting to pick up a bit of German, I’m pretty excited to finally understand the world around me. It’s only cool to live in a bubble so long… My other courses don’t start until Mar.12.

We went to our school restaurant for lunch and we all had our first Austrian sausage together. They were unbelievably good. And yes, you can even buy beer on campus. We didn’t, but you can.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Honestly, this day was mostly a write off as I spent the majority of the day either working on my marketing project or in class. The girls from France were kind enough to tare me from my work long enough to go for a hot chocolate – or I should say heiße Schokolade. And I took a quick look through the store Zara. They had the most beautiful clothes and I was pretty sad that the price tags would be at least the return trip to Sarajevo for the 3 Canadians… I can dream though. Maybe I will allow myself one extravagant purchase before I go home… maybe.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

I now know the best way to get to the airport. I know you’re probably thinking ‘ummm Melinda, you arrived at the airport and took public transit to your flat in the first place’. And you’re right for thinking so. However, following 14 hours of traveling, I couldn’t tell you how I got to my flat… We found the commuter train at Praterstern that goes directly to the airport, so I was pretty proud of myself! We spent the duration of the train ride drawing stereotypical pictures of Canada, Finland and Austria on our sign for Johanna, the Finnish student we were going to pick up. The 2 guys sitting by us were a great help when we couldn’t think of anything for Finland and Marketa wouldn’t let me draw a reindeer… she said that would be too stereotypical – and a beaver is not I ask? Oh well, a picture of a sauna later we were at the airport.

Johanna seems pretty nice, and she was quick to tell us that she brought Finnish vodka to share – we’ve decided that we’ll all be great friends! We gave her an hour or so to settle in and then we made our way downtown to walk around a bit. We managed to find an Italian ice cream place – they had so many gelatos to choose from. It was heaven. I had a coffee drink with vanilla gelato in it. I found a new favourite way to take my coffee.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

We found Hofer. All is well in the world. Hofer is a crazy cheap grocery chain in Austria. I was able to cut my grocery bill in half, but I’m really not to sure how I feel about picking my items out of bins… And in Canada we tend to put all dairy products, meats and eggs in a cooler or fridge section…

When leaving the store I noticed an old flak tower from the war. It’s kind of bizarre to be walking around such a beautiful, well-off and high cultured city and then just look up and see this huge concrete anti aircraft tower. There are just so many sides to Vienna we have yet to learn!

In the afternoon Jordan and I went downtown with the intention to find a café and read for a bit. Instead, I made him go with me to buy my Clinique moisturizer, which he was very happy to do. The moisturizer was a return trip to Sarajevo and probably breakfast there as well if anyone was wondering. Then I found a shoe store and again, he has happy to oblige. I fell in love with a pair of Tommy shoes, but I think my sister would give me an ear full if I bought them… Regardless, I may just have to go back for them later this week, or next!

We learnt another key Vienna lesson today. When you get lost in Vienna you’re ok as long as you can find an underground station. Just jump on a train and get off at a familiar stop and start all over again. In other words, we were only 20 minutes late meeting the rest of the foreign kinds… Jordan and I have decided you can really start to feel at home when you go out to just sit at a café and do nothing for an afternoon. I guess we’re home!

Well, there you have it. I am still alive… Falling in love with this city more and more each day!

In other exciting news I finally have my mobile… A million hassles to get it, and 3 days to set it up and I am now accessible anytime. The number is: +447969596008 – I can’t actually afford to use it though so try to only use it in emergencies please!