Catching Up!

Where have I been? Where haven't I? Keeping a blog is a lot harder than what I thought it would be. To catch up on my life:
I have started my classes which include:

1. Beginning German
2. Explaining Evil: Hitler's Holocaust
3. Art in Vienna in the 1900's
4. Austrian History

The classes aren't too bad. The classes allow for many excursions outside of the classroom, which will be very exciting.

I have also moved in with a host family, Maria and Otto. They are amazing! My roommate, Julie, and I have been able to talk about many different subjects with them. We have become part of the family. They have offered to take us to their house in Burgenland for a weekend in October. Maria also said she would take us into Hungary.

We have already been on a couple excursions. These would include:

1. The only synagogue to have survived Kristallnacht in Vienna. It survived because there were many non-Jews living next to and across the street from it. If they burned it, then these people would also bear the consequences. 
2. The art history museum, which houses many paintings by Raphael and Rembrandt. They also house an extensive Egyptian artifact exhibit.
3. The Brunnenmarkt, which reminds me of the Fashion District in downtown L.A. Cheap produce and even cheaper clothes and little random trinkets.
4. The Staatsoper, me and a couple of people decided to go see Mozarts "Don Giovani". Being my first opera, I was blown away from the performance. It was a great experience. 

I have also explored the Schonnbrun by myself. I went running there and it was just huge. Reminded me of Central Park. I could wander there for hours and always see something different.

That is my catch up of my life here in Vienna. It is very interesting to be in a city that is so rich in history. Everywhere I go, I can see different parts of history, either in the buildings or in a statue. I am very thankful for this adventure. It will something that I will cherish for a lifetime to come.