While I've been exploring Austria, my luggage has been taking an adventure of its own. It never quite made it to Vienna (along with about twenty other people's luggage). I did hear that it arrived in Vienna this morning, so hopefully it will arrive sometime tommorrow at the Kartause(thursday). Though I packed one extra outfit in my carry on, I feel like an international hobo!
Here are the intriguing things I've discovered so far...
*The Austrians are overly concerned about the environment; thus, you must pay to get a plastic bag at the grocery store and, even worse, there is a very complex trash/recycling system. We must sort metal, clear glass, colored glass, white glass, paper, plastic/packaging materials, problem trash (hazardous), biodegradable, & then everything else goes in the category restmull. We have to have a cliff notes sheet by the garbage cans to avoid fines! haha
*While at a meal, it is inpolite to drink your beverage before everyone else at the table has theirs. Then, you must make eye contact and "prost," which is like the Austrian version of "cheers". It is a VERY, VERY BAD thing to not make eye contact during a prost--basically, you are considered to be a shifty & untrustworthy person.
*Restrooms are called water closets...and the WC's on charter busses are not private!! They are just in the middle of the bus, with little square walls around them. haha
*Old churches and monasteries (such as the one i'm living in) are extremely cold and drafty.
*the water is AMAZINGLY pure...no need for bottled water here!
*the mensa (cafeteria) at the kartause in Gaming serves dry cereal in the afternoon & evening. There's no milk because it's not fresh (at least that's what is sounded like the German lady said...?).
*There is a secret chapel somewhere around the kartause...i'm still working on finding it.
*The Austrians have 13 Catholic holdiays that double as national holidays...they really like vacation time!
*And here's an obvious one: the scenary is BEAUTIFUL! The alps, cute Austrian houses & villages, running streams, frozen waterfalls....the beauty just never ends!
Today, we took a school trip to Admont and had Mass at the Benedictine Monastery there. We also explored the amazing library on the Monastery grounds, which was just like the one from Beauty & the Beast. 
Sorry there are not more pictures, but photography wasn't allowed in the library. I only got one picture snapped before the tour guide made us stop!
Tomorrow will not be as exciting, as we are in Orientation meetings all day...bummer.
We start classes on Thursday and travel to Vienna this weekend.
Check back next week for updates. I'll also post some pictures then of the Kartause and tell some of its awesome history...I haven't had a chance to get good pictures yet, due to this crazy orientation schedule they have us on. God bless! :)
Through Mary,
Tessa <3
Great place to study abroad! Can't wait to go abroad myself.
ReplyDeleteChecking back for more posts.
Good luck and God bless.