1/16th done?

And so, the first week is over. What a weird feeling. We just got here, and yet we are already in the swing of things. This weekend we will be leaving the country for the first time (although just to Munich), but before that happens, let's recount this past week.

Tuesday was a day trip to St. Polten and the beautiful Melk monastery. Wednesday was orientation, and Thursday and Friday began classes. Then saturday was the day trip to Wein, or as we commonly call it Vienna. A beautiful city full of huge buildings, palaces, churches, tons of people, dogs wearing coats, a huge screen showing animals being torn to pieces (a PETA advertisement i'm sure), weiner wurstel (yeah, it's authentic, but still digusting), people break dancing in the streets, a guy disguised as a statue, and so much more.

Saturday night was then followed by a nightcap hike up a mountain with Daniel and Karl. Of course, they decided it would be a great idea to just go straight down the mountain (okay, so it was maybe a foothill, but it was still big for me), cross-country skiing on their boots, jumping from tree to tree, and making it look easy. I, of course, having never done something like this, was slightly intimidated, but I made it down the hill (okay, so they moved down the hill while I fell and slid, but hey it worked).

Then on Sunday my initiation into Austrian manhood officially commenced. When the female RA told us she had jumped into the creek here (a tradition of students, there is one spot deep enough to jump in), we felt the need to do the same. It was snowing and below freezing, but that's besides the point. We then proceeded to our hallway, where we yelled for others to join, from which we gained a group of 14 men ready to brace the elements. And so, after stopping traffic to cross the street, lining up and saying a quick prayer, we took turns jumping into the freezing cold water. We each emerged quickly, fought to make our lungs work again, failed in an attempt to make our faces move in the form of a smile, and eventually scampered up the side of the creek to somehow pull ourselves back up. At this point, we decided it'd be a brilliant idea to take a group photo, and so we all waited (and when you were the 3rd to jump, thats a LONG wait). But alas, the pain wore off after a few hours, and we now have a story to tell.

And so, for now, that is all. Here, you may find pictures of where I live: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189168&id=570370259&l=06ed840bd3.

And here, you may find pictures of Vienna: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=188925&id=570370259&l=f311d42c96

Enjoy!