Retz: Lower Austria

Our site director and another teacher took us on a day trip to Retz. It is a cute town in wine country almost on the border of the Czech Republic. 

We arrived in Retz around noon and walked to the center of the town. Our teacher, Markus, explained the history of the town and the architecture and we climbed up to the top of the tower. I was a little nervous at the top but the view was so incredible that I forgot about how high up we were.

After the tower we hiked in the vineyards towards a windmill, but somehow we ended up no where near it. Armed with ammo from the brush, we had a few berry wars, throwing them at each other and having to stock up whenever another bush was nearby.

It was very windy but absolutely breathtaking. It made me want to go hiking more in Eugene when I get back home.

walking through the vineyard

Once we were back into the town center, we went on a tour of the wine cellars of Retz. They gave us these silly phone like devices that had english translations of what our tour guide was saying. Afterward we each got a free glass of wine. I got a glass of white wine and it was very crisp and light. Very refreshing after a long day of walking around!

After walking towards the Heuriger where we had dinner plans, it became evident that we were taking the long way. Once we were back on the main road, the owner of the wine tavern saw us walking and offered to give us a ride there. So we gladly took him up on his offer.

I had a great time eating little platters of ham, blood sausage, liver pate, bacon, cheese slices, some aspic (which is meat encased in gelatin), and some pepper cheese spread, all with delicious rolls. My mother would be proud, I tried a little aspic AND the blood sausage. After having some Wein Gespritzter (red or white wine diluted with mineral water) and Weiß Wein (white wine) we taught each other hand games and chatted until it was time to leave for the train station. Overall a really amazing day in Austria!

the Heuringer

Amsterdam

 I had a really great time in Amsterdam. My only regrets are that I was not able to meet up with my friend, Alison, as well as my hostel being way out in the boonies. I stayed at StayOkay-Zeeburg hostel, which I booked through STA Travel. While overpriced in my opinion, it was clean and provided breakfast. I just wish I had my own room instead of sharing it with 4 other guys:/

Small car, even by European standards!

Outside of Centraal Metro Station

Rembrandtplein

Cyd, Ian, Andrew and I went to the Rijks Museum of Art and History and walked all around the city. The public transportation system, minus the buses always being late, was actually quite easy to use. We all bought little metro passes that you have to swipe to get down to the subway, but could also be used for the buses and trams in the city.

The city was really beautiful with all the canals and little bridges, but I was happy to be home in Vienna after a couple days in Amsterdam.

l.Alice, Annie and I at a Paddy O'Brien's Pub

My friend Annie visited me this week in Vienna. She is studying abroad at St. Petersburg, Russia and had a week off from school. It is so interesting to hear about her program. She goes to school at St. Petersburg University and her program has around 70 people. Mine only has 11 people. While I am happy with how my program has turned out, I think her study abroad experience involved a lot more immersion with locals and has allowed her to increase her understanding of the language and culture.

We went to a concert with my school group on Tuesday. It worked out that one student was not going so Annie got his ticket and did not have to pay! It was the Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo. I have not been to any concert recently but this was amazing. We had a balcony view overlooking the stage and we were able to see the orchestra clearly. We had to climb a million stairs or so to get to our seats but it was well worth it:)

 Annie left today to head to Slovakia to meet up with some relatives from her father's side of the family, but will be back on Saturday to catch her flight out of Vienna, so I will probably grab dinner with her then:)

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Only one month and eight days until I am back home. I cannot believe my time here has gone so fast! My program ends the 2nd of December and I leave for Israel to visit my relatives on the 6th. I head back to Vienna on the 16th and fly home on the 18th. Hopefully these next couple weeks will force me to update more frequently, seeing as it has been a while since my last post:)