Day 22: The Journey Home

3 hours of sleep... Still the most talkative... Let's GOOOOOO!

If you are wondering.... No. I did not cry.

I felt all the sadness of leaving Vienna, and I think I'm more "homesick" for Vienna now than I ever was for the States. Arkansas is home, but... Vienna was "home" for 3 weeks and I miss it already! My host mom told me that if I ever returned to Vienna, I would have a bed (if she wasn't full with students) and a free dinner! I have every intention of returning to Vienna, and I look forward to seeing her again! I may find other housing options, though, so maybe I won't have to take camp showers. Ha!

As I said, I will miss Vienna, but I also spent a lot of the day thinking about how much I will miss my new study abroad family! After spending 3 weeks with these people... I love them all! I look forward to reunions and hangouts. We are already making tentative movie night plans and there are talks of spring break trips.

I have always thought that I wanted to travel, but up until recent years, I didn't have much experience. I was satisfied to confirm with myself that I do, in fact, enjoy traveling and far away destinations! The idea of a 24 hour day doesn't scare me-- I embrace it! Sure, we got a little loopy in the Atlanta airport during our 3 hour layover... but I never felt fatigued or upset, it was all laughs and positive attitudes. I look forward to my next adventure, and I hope to spend it with some of my new friends and FAM.

Dr. D, Lisa Ray, I had a blast! You guys are AWESOME and I couldn't imagine wandering around Vienna with any other professors!!! Thank you for an amazing adventure!

Look at those Alps!!!

Day 21: Pow-wow in the Park & Before Sunrise

Cafe Phil with Lucas

bookstore

record store

coffee shop

"life's too short to learn german"- oscar wilde, english menu

self-control and lack of euros and "weight" left in my suitcase prevented me from buying books galore

Alt & Neu

alt and neu record shop- before sunrise

Pow Wow in the Park

homeless population

understanding being the other

a new sense of patience with tourists/visitors in the United States

the difficulty of a language barrier

snitzel sandwich and fries... YUM

one final gelato... zitrone and mango. YUM!

My Final Aida

... and some Burgerista at the Westbaunhof train station. My last supper in Vienna. 

Day 20: Deregistration

Deregistering felt a bit different than I thought it might. In my head, it was a dramatic and thoughtful process... but it all happened so fast! I went in, was assigned a number, and before I knew it it was my turn. There was no long, thoughtful wait... I got distracted talking to girls around me about random things! When my number came up, it took all of 45 seconds for the employee to stamp some papers and hand me back my passport. I still felt very much a part of the city, and was ready to take on the next two days with some last minute sight-seeing.

I've mentioned this a few times before, but I felt like the "other" for the first week or so of being in Austria. Our group was loud, I had no idea where I was going, and I just felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. Over time, however, I learned the relaxed and quiet ways of the Viennese culture. I enjoyed riding on public transport by myself with my headphones in, blending in as best I could. There were a few times that people mistook me for an Austrian, striking up conversation or asking me for directions in German. I really loved every time that happened! Don't get me wrong, I love being a tourist, but there's something nice about feeling like I fit in with different cultures.

As for the hashtags.... #KarlzsplatzCarol #Salzbudz #HowTheHellDoIGetToHutteldorfFromHere :)

I actually did not take any pictures today.... But I did go to Aida with a few friends at some point!