Abenteuer in Tirol und so weiter…

Posted February 15th, 2012 by Dane in Vienna, Austria

Welcome to installment #2 of my blog, now with pictures!

A view from Bergisel Olympic Ski Jump in Innsbruck

Last week I was in Tirol, specifically Innsbruck area, and it was beautiful there. My friend Helen (a Central College Abroad student from last semester that I met here) and I wandered around Innsbruck and saw the sights in the immediate vicinity. While there we were able to eat at a very historic restaurant in the old quarter of Vienna, and really appreciate the heritage and old-world charm that has been preserved there. Vienna does a great job of preserving notable sights as well, but the history and beauty of Innsbruck are that much more striking when set against the background of the Alps. It was especially nice to get outside of Innsbruck and leave city life for a bit. The people all across Austria are very helpful and friendly, and I am glad I am able to converse with them in German more and more.

I also moved into my dorm at the beginning of February. I have met a few very friendly students on my floor, but for the most part everyone is traveling or home for the entire month of February. I will meet my roommate at the beginning of March, and I am looking forward to making more friends.

For those of you concerned with how hockey is going, we just played our first playoff game on Sunday, and we won 7-1. I’ve been able to score two goals so far, and we are still undefeated on the season. Below I have added a picture of me in my first game with Wolfgang, the first person I contacted on the team. He has lived in Vienna for quite a while, so he has been able to help me settle here in Vienna quite effortlessly. I still cannot believe the generosity and kindness of people here like Wolfgang, and I will never forget the hospitality they have shown me.

My Teammate Wolfgang and I (Wolfgang is on the left)

I should also probably address city life, now that I am in the 6th district. I live right across the street from Westbahnhof, which at this time is the major train station in Vienna. This made my travel to Tirol incredibly easy, and getting around Vienna is as simple as catching the U-Bahn there. Luckily, I have never heard a train or bus, as I live down a smaller street (almost an alley). There is also a main shopping street, Mariahilferstrasse, which has everything you could want to buy. Needless to say, I am very happy with my location, as food, clothes, and anything else I need are within walking distance.

Classes will be starting at the beginning of March, and I am looking forward to informing you all on my academics as well. Until then, I will probably be walking around Vienna, and detailing some of the major sights. I hope you are enjoying reading my blog, and I will be getting suggestions from friends and family for some more material. I am incredibly pleased with my first month here, and leaving my friends and family in Illinois for a semester was definitely worth the experience I am gaining here in Austria.

Thanks for reading!