Finally in the apartment

I'm sitting in my room in Vienna (finally). We left the mountains
today, then when we got back to Vienna, all 109 people in the program split up to find our apartments. One of my 5 roommates took a taxi with our luggage, and the rest of us walked (it took about 15 minutes). Our apartment is incredible. We have 3 double rooms, each of which has 2 desks, 2 beds, and 2 large closets. Also, there is an Austrian guy, about 25 years old, named Maddes who is staying in a single room in the apartment, so he has already shown us around a bit. Our apartment has 3 bathrooms (only 2 with showers) and a kitchen and living room, as well as 2 sound-proof practice rooms in the basement. We got pretty lucky. Most other music majors have to go into the city to practice, and those rooms aren't open 24 hours (ours are). Also, our landlady and landlord (an older couple) are very welcoming, and we have a cleaning lady who comes every week.

I just got back from eating my first meal in Vienna. Fried chicken and
french fries at a place called "Wienerwald." It was a fairly American
meal, I suppose, but delicious nonetheless.

AND NOW...highlights since my last post:

Friday, August 14th: Potluck at Mullet Park in Goshen, and a final bridge jump before leaving the continent. Also, an MYF reunion (which was awesome, even though Team Nexium Euchre had awful luck).

Saturday, August 15th: Said goodbye to some more friends.

Sunday, August 16th: Went to DePauw for the night. I got to have a gift exchange with LC, which was a great time (and also sad).

Monday, August 17th: DQ with Anne Lehman, LTOSTI (the annual viewing of "Lost Treasure of Sawtooth Island" at Lilly's house), and a final night with the guys in Goshen.

Tuesday, August 18th: Leaving the country. Dad drove me to the airport, and then I was on my own. The flights went well though.

Wednesday, August 19th: The four DePauw kids spent the night at Dil's friend Luke's apartment. Dil lived in Vienna for part of his childhood, and still has some friends in the city. It was great to see some familiar faces.

Thursday, August 20th: The first day of orientation. We took a bus to a hostel in Mariazell, a small town famous for Schnaps, gingerbread, and as a popular pilgrimage destination. The hostel was very nice, and we had a wonderful view of the city.

Friday, August 21st: I went into Mariazell and toured the Basilica, which I realized may be the oldest building I've ever been in (it's been there since the 13th century).

Saturday, August 22nd: We went to a lake, and it was absolutely beautiful. I'm posting pictures tomorrow.

Sunday, August 23rd: Arriving in Vienna, and finally moving into my home for the next 4 months.

Pictures coming soon.

I love you all.