Hallo!

I'm settled into my dorm today. I'm staying in these old gasoline containers, called Gasometers. They're four huge circular buildings right next to each other. I couldn't take pictures of the outside since it was kinda rainy, but I plan on snapping quite a few tomorrow. Here's a link to some history about them: http://www.wiener-gasometer.at/en.

We woke up early to leave the hostel, caught a taxi (we were indeed duped yesterday, by a good 15 Euros) [and Mom, you were right, taking the subway would have been stupid], and tried to check in. There was some confusion around when we were supposed to check in; Megan and I showed up a good 2 hours early. The ladies first said we weren't even staying there which nearly convinced me to start day drinking, but they corrected themselves. We left our luggage and went for a walk. The mall under our dorms has plenty of places to eat including a McDonalds, which seems so much nicer here. It at least smells the same. The pastry shop there had this interesting raspberry and vanilla filled pastry which I would certainly get again. After ordering a Kaffe, thinking I would get a regular cup of coffee, the barista presented me with a shot of expresso, which was definitely not what I wanted. Three packs of sugar later, I could somewhat sip it. Though, I am never ordering that again. Ew.

We happen to run into some friends from NCSU, and I was very very relieved to get a hug from my friend, Nick. We stumbled about, then checked in. This crazy-haired older gentlemen who didn't believe in deodorant showed me to my room. Though he neglected to tell me how to unlock my door (three turns to the left, then hold to the left a bit more), he was very kind and humorous which was a relief after the confusion early. I panicked a bit about being locked out, till I waved him down frantically to show me how to unlock the flat door. The flat has a small entry way, which is generally dark since the lights turn off pretty quickly after you turn on the switch; the long stairway upstairs leads you into a small, smoky kitchen. Two showers, and an extra toilet room were around as well.

The Gasometers, being circular, have an open atrium-like middle. I was lucky enough to snag a room facing the atrium with two large windows to let in fresh, cool air and some light. The furniture is very modern. There's a wooden wall with tracks on them so I can move around these open metal bookshelves which I am a very big fan of. I liked putting my things out and moving around the shelves. There's three different pieces of furniture as well as my door that can lock so I feel safe and have all my valuable locked up.

Maybe it was the white walls and the cool tones of the light but I felt very lonely today. Though from college I've learned being tired and hungry exacerbate unpleasant feelings, I seemed to have to relearn that today. I keep reminding myself this is normal. I'm in a different country, where I barely speak the language. There's different food, customs, even where you walk on the street. There will of course be a large upswing of things to accommodate too. I opened my birthday cards (my 21st birthday is on Sunday) from my parents and my grandparents when I felt really lonely, and cried a bit. I like that I'm a crier. In many ways, I feel weak that I burst into tears spontaneously, but after a bit, I felt so much better. Meeting up with friends for dinner especially helped, even if some of them aren't my favorite. Being alone also makes those unpleasant feelings worse. The grilled ham and cheese for dinner was also a comfort (aka my favorite dinner besides oatmeal). We walked around afterwards and found this pretty church in the gothic style. The sun setting behind it made it the prettiest thing I'd seen that day. Other than my bed...my nap was rather epic.

I've met one of my flatmates, Sara who was very kind, and laughed at my jokes. There's a solid chance she had no idea what I was saying, but that I could make her laugh made me relax. Austrian college students are just like American college students. You know, after you ignore the language barrier.

We have our German oral placement tests tomorrow at the language institute near City Center, called IKI. There's also a group dinner and walking tour. Considering how fast and determined our faculty director walks (I mean, he is one DELIBERATE walker), tomorrow will be a comfortable/tourist clothing day. But I do have these pretty new sandals...just kidding Mom =).



P.S. There's probably some grammar errors, but I am very tired so I deem them excusable.