Croatia

This weekend, Ian, Braco, Alma and I journeyed to Croatia. We drove through the Austrian countryside and Slovenia--both of which were beautifully green. I spent hours just looking out the windows, thinking, it was surprisingly calming. 

We went to Rovinj, a small town on the coast. The first night was kind of a blur, seeing as I was exhausted from our 6 hour drive (and 4 weeks of German class, which finally ended). We sat around with their good friend, Sasha and Galena and Susanna, for a few hours and then went to bed--nothing too exciting. The next day, both Alma and I slept until 1pm and after a lunch of Calamari (yes, I did eat it and I enjoyed it too!) we went to the seaside. After a 30 minute drive over an unpaved road and a short hike through woods and over rocks, we arrived at a small beach. The beach had no sand, only white, chalky stones. But the water was beautiful; it was so clear that you could see the bottom no matter how far from shore you were. The water was perfectly refreshing, nothing could have been better on such a hot day.

After hours on the beach, Braco and I joined Susanna, Galena,Sasha, and the kids in Bale, another small town, for some jazz music at the opening night of the Last Minute Jazz Festival. We ate corn on the cob, drank beer, and danced to the music. It was a wonderful night. 

The next day we went to Alma and Braco's "honey man." This bee keeper produces a dozen flavors of honey ranging from chocolate honey to creme and mandarin. I of course sampled them all. Then we walked around town for a few hours. The town was built on a hill, and the view from the top s breathtaking. You could see green for miles and miles. 

   Again, it was blisteringly hot, and the only thing that brought any relief was a swim, so we returned to the beach. That night, Alma and I walked around Rovinj. It is full of German and Italian tourists and is quite lively at night. It was a wonderful night. It was just a wonderful and relaxing weekend in general. 

Unfortunately, we had to return today. Our drive back was not nearly as blissful as the trip there. Across Slovenia, it poured. The rain was so heavy, I thought we were going to have to pull over. But we made it back... not that I was worried. 

I have a week and two days left. I cannot say that I'm not ready to come home, but I'm almost not ready to leave this city yet either. I can't believe I've been here 2 months already. It had definitely been a summer of adventures, to say the very least. 

Serbia... and German Lessons

This past  weekend, I was lucky enough to venture to Novi Sad, Serbia. I went with Alma, Ian, Alma's friend Edna (who is Serbian) and her two children. The 6 of us left late Thursday night and after an exhausting 8 hour bus we arrived. Friday morning, we walked around the old fortress in town. This fortress is the sight for the famous Exit Music Festival, which unfortunately, we missed by a week. But, still we got a beautiful view of the city and the river. It was about 100 degrees, making it unbearable to be in sun during the afternoon, so the 6 of us, along with Edna's mom spent the afternoon relaxing in her air conditioned apartment. The 4 of us sat around and talked while the little ones played in the next room. 

Saturday, we took the kids to an indoor playground, which they loved, and then went window shopping. We were lucky enough to get some rain, so it wasn't so hot. I made great friends with Leon, Edna's oldest son who is 6. He can speak English, so we got along immediately, playing rock paper scissors countless times. This made Ian a little jealous I think, so he started to warm up to me a little. 

Saturday night was quite an adventure. Alma and I went out with Edna's friends from when she lived in Novi Sad. Oddly enough, Edna and I wound up wearing the same dress, so we spent the night trying to avoid standing next to each other. It was kind of funny. 

Sunday, we had another 8 hour bus ride, this time even more exhausting. You were allowed to smoke in the back of the bus, which made for an unpleasant ride once the air conditioning broke. But we all made it back. 

I've been in German lessons the last 3 weeks. They are okay. I'm learning the basics, and I've made a few friends, which is good. One guy, Robert, is actually from Colorado. Finally, a friend to see all of the sights with. 

Slowly, the summer is coming to an end. I can't believe I have less than 3 weeks left here. Some days it feels like I've only been here a few short days. I can't believe that I've become accustomed to a whole new way of life. Everything from the way you hold your fork to the people's over all attitude is different here. It was a bit of a culture shock at first, but now I much of the differences feel natural to me. I love Europe and it's been absolutely wonderful for me. I wonder how I've changed. What will stick with me? Will it be hard to adjust back to live in America? Will I notice differences in myself? I think I already have... 

Adventures OUTSIDE Vienna

The weekend of the 4th, I met my cousin Elizabeth and four of her friends in Brussels for the weekend. We stayed at the incredibly embellished hotel mozart. I have to admit, it was a little gaudy, but fun all the same. My favorite decoration were the posters of Barack Obama all over the walls. I swear he was on every wall. 

We stayed a two minute walk from La Grande Place, which meant we were in the heart of the city. Brussels is a beautiful and old city. The streets are made of cobblestones, many of them un-drivable. The architecture is absolutely beautiful. There are buildings in every style, ranging from Renaissance to more a more modern style. Such a beautiful city, just like Vienna. 

On Saturday, we went and visited the Anatonium, a huge metal sculpture of an iron molecule. It was built in the 1950s to represent Belgium in a science fair. It was impressive and HUGE. We didn't climb to the top, but supposedly you can see the whole city. Instead, we made (stupidly) decided to go to Mini Europe, aka the biggest tourist trap in all of Europe. They made miniture sculptures of all of the important European landmarks and tourist attractions. We visited every country in the EU... But you could see Big Ben from the Eiffel Tower and Italy from Holland... so it wasn't quite the same :) 

Of course we  had to sample some of the wonderful Belgian cuisine: Belgian Waffles topped with ice cream fruit and chocolate sauce, which they sell on the streets. They were absolutely delicious but extremely messy. 

We celebrated the Fourth of July with a group of American boys that we met in one of the more famous bars in Brussels called Delirium. They are known for there many flavors of beer, including apple, passion fruit, and pomegranate. Don't worry, I didn't sample all of them. 

I loved Brussels, if only I had more time... 

The next weekend I journeyed to Bosnia with Ian, Alma, and Braco. It was Braco's 25th high school reunion.  It's hard to describe the weekend. Mostly it was me sitting around listening to the Memic family chatter in Bosnian. I did have some delicious meals prepared by Braco's mom and then spent evenings walking around town hearing stories from Alma and Braco's childhood. (They've been together 20 years this fall, since Alma was 17.) It was interesting listening to all of they're stories and memories. I guess it gave me a little insight into who they were, helping me understand who they are now. 

Next weekend, I'm off to Serbia... 

Rainy Days in Vienna

Update: I can successfully use the bus AND the subway by myself... 

I apologize for not writing.... 

Most of my days last week went the same way. I went downtown and walked around until I found something interesting to do. I went to Museums Quartier, St. Stephan's Cathedral, Hofburg, Basically I hit the big tourist sites. 

The highlight of my week was most definitely visiting the famous Albertina Gallery and the National Museum of Art History. There is something so peaceful about spending hours in a museum, stopping when I wanted, contemplating the paintings that struck my eye. I saw paintings by Monet, Cezan, Henri Toulouse Lautrec, Degas, Rembrant all in one exhibit (my favorite of the day). It was amazing getting to see the painting I studied in Art and European History up close instead of on a slide. 

The mot impressive part of the museums here is surprisingly not the art collections but the interior of the museums themselves. They are beautiful inside with enormous marble staircases, ornate walls and ceilings and  beautifully crafted gold doors. They hardly need the art work... 

At first I found it thrilling, walking around and exploring by myself  but by the end of the week, I was tired of being alone. It wasn't as fun to see things by myself. Luckily, Alma, Braco, and Ian joined me on Sunday and we went to the Natural History Museum. Ian was so excited; it was so much fun to go through the museum accompanied by someone so enthusiastic. 

The rain FINALLY stopped so I spent the next week outside mostly, hanging out in the Museum Quarter, Resselpark, and shopping. It was mostly a calm week. I was waiting patiently to start German lessons so that I would have something other than Ian to occupy my time. 

Week 2

Monday, I signed up for German lessons which should hopefully make this whole situation easier for me. Not that I'm complaining now, but it would be nice to understand what the subway signs say or be able to order for myself in a restaurant. I  have never lived anywhere so confusing. Washington DC is a big city, but at least I can read a subway map there. I know a lot of people speak English but I feel so arrogant assuming that I will be understood when I speak in English. I can't wait to be able to speak with Ian, he is hilarious and I just wish we could say more to each other than "hello" "goodnight" and "thank you." 

 

I took the bus by myself for the first time today! I know, it sounds a little silly that I'm proud of myself for that, but its the little accomplishments, like the first time I was able to talk to Ian,that are getting me through these first few weeks. Maybe tomorrow I'll try for the bus and the subway... 

Alma and I met Braco and Ian for lunch at Natsmarkt again today. There is really nothing like Natsmarkt. I only saw half of it the first time I went, and was impressed then. I have a feeling I'll be there for lunch a lot while I'm here. After lunch, we walked around downtown. Vienna is such a beautiful city,  I wake up somedays and I can't believe I'm actually here.  I walk downtown and see the Opera or the beautiful Parliament building and I have to remind myself that I still get to spend 2 months here. This isn't a vacation... It's my life, for now anyways. I love sightseeing with Alma and Braco and Ian because it's almost like I'm a local. I don't have to awkwardly study a map or ask where anything is. I have my own personal tour guides. And I always get an ice cream cone at the end of the day :) Ian really loves his ice cream. 

Sunday, I'll finally get to meet someone my age. She is the daughter of Braco's boss/friend.  Alma and Braco are wonderful, but I'm excited for someone my age to talk to and do things with. So we'll see what the next week brings. Auf Wiedersehen!

Corfu!

 Let me introduce the family I'm staying with. First, there is Alma, who was my nanny. She is absolutely lovely. Fluent in 3 languages, she worked as an interpreter and now teaches English. We can talk for hours; both of us LOVE to talk. Then, there is her husband Braco. He is an architect and looks a little like a rock star with his long hair and signature silver sunglasses. He's a little quieter, probably because Alma and I talk much. He is helping me learn German and I am helping him improve his English. Then of course, there is Ian. He is 5 and full of energy. His favorite food is ice cream and he is currently obsessed with the movie BOLT.  Ian does not speak english, but I am learning the important Bosnian words like ice cream, which is sladoled. And he is slowly agreeing to say small phrases like "good morning" and "thank you." We will be friends by the end of the summer, I can tell. So that's the Memic family. 

Less than 36 hours after my arrival in Vienna, I was back on a plane to Corfu with Ian, Alma, and Braco. Corfu is a lovely Island in the Ionion Sea, near Albania.  Most days started out the same: A late breakfast, then a drive on a narrow road through charming Greek villages to the beach. We would spend hours on the beach relaxing, reading, playing in the sand, and swimming (when we could stand getting into the cold water). One day we were having so much fun that we stayed at the beach until 8 pm without realizing how late it was. Beach days were always followed by extravagant dinners at local restaurants. One night we went to a fish tavern and much to my surprise, I was served a whole fish, head and all. This was the first time I would consider eating such a meal--if you don't believe me, there's a video. Another night we went to a  cocktail bar and were serve drinks with sparklers in them... Ian loved that. This was such a relaxing vacation. We woke up when we wanted, went to the beach when we wanted and left when we were tired. There was no schedule. I'd say it was practically perfect. 

I think the best time spent was time in the Capital, Corfu City (Kerkyra in Greek). We spent several nights walking through the market place, looking at the jewelry or wood shops or sipping drinks at small cafes.  There is really no way of describing it. I felt a little bit like I was in Mexico, with a Greek flair. But that  hardly captures the spirit the city.  I have really never been anywhere like Corfu City, or Corfu for that matter. 

I can't wait to explore Vienna and get adjusted to life here. As I write this, I'm sipping expresso and watching the soccer game (or should I say football?) with Braco. Tomorrow the real fun begins with my very own bus pass and a trip downtown! 

Arrival!

So I am finally here. After an exhausting 9 hour flight with a screaming child sitting behind me, I made it! For so long it seemed as if this day wasn't real, like it would never come. But it has and I couldn't be happier!
After I got off the plane, there they were, the whole Memic-Avdic family holding a huge sign with my name on it. Driving back from the airport, I got a small taste of the city. It's absolutely beautiful. We ate breakfast on the terrace and I felt oh so European with my pastries and expresso.
But the real fun came when we (Alma and I) went to the Naschmarkt, which is the most famous open market in Vienna. It has everything. From clothes to food to wine to beer. Meat and cheeses. Everything. We then met Braco (Alma's husband) and Ian (their son) for a late lunch at a wonderful Turkish cafe. And to top off the day, I found out that we are going to Croatia in the morning for 7 days. Sounds wonderful to me.
I am overwhelmed by everything I learned today and everything I need to remember. It is proving to be a little difficult to communicate, even though both Alma and Braco speak English. Ian does not and gets a little jealous that he's not included in the conversation, but then again he is only 5. Watching him will be harder than I thought, or so it seems right now. Hopefully we can teach each other and I'll be speaking German and he'll be speaking English by the end of the summer.
I can't believe how lucky I am. It is wonderful to be here finally. Wonderful to see Alma again (it's been 12 years!) and wonderful to experience Vienna. I cannot wait for the next few months to unfold. There are so many experiences to be had and things to do. For now I am so jetlagged I can barely keep my eyes open. Good night...or I guess it's good morning.