Finally in Wien!!

First of all, I would like to apologize for not writing sooner. It has been so crazy here with orientation and moving into my new home. So, last week I left Katja and Hansi's house on Thursday morning by train. This was an awful adventure and I do not recommend it to anyone carrying over a small bag. Marie and I ended up having 3 suitcases each, which became a nightmare in a matter of seconds. As soon as we got on the train, people already hated us because of all of our possessions. After 10 very long minutes of sweating and almost crying, we finally were able to find a small space for our luggage to go. We than sat staring at our luggage for the remainder of the time hoping that it would not fall on the passengers below it. 5 hours passed, and finally we had made it to our final destination. We took a taxi to our hotel, and then went to the nearest restaurant for pizza. Later that evening while adventuring around the city, we realized that our hotel was attached to a mall. So, for the remainder of the time we spent walking around admiring the European styles, only looking, due to the price in Euros presented on the tags. The next day, we met our future friends and peers at the train station. It was so exciting to think that these strangers would soon be my closest friends for the next four months. On a tour bus, all 140 IES students piled on, luggage stored away, and best face on. As we drove up the winding roads to our orientation in Mariazell, everyone shared their name, major, and hometown. That evening we encountered a Vienna Wiener Schnitzel dinner, schnapps, slap dancers, and good ol' fashioned Austrian bier. On Saturday, I went to my first Deutsch lesson, first disco (fun times), and toured around the city of Mariazell, Austria. It was absolutely beautiful. On Sunday, we signed up for housing. I woke up not feeling the greatest, but figured it was due to a long night at the disco. Later that day, a cold began to occur. I knew that I had been overworking my self, so I took a nap, while the rest of the people went to a lake near by. That night, I felt my symptoms worsen so I went to bed early. Unfortunatly this wasn't a 24 hour bug. Today is Wed. and I still have a cough and cold. What a wonderful state to be in during my first week of school :) Anyways, on Monday we arrived back in Vienna. My roommates and I took a taxi to our new apartment (which by the way is abs. beautiful). A doctor owns the apartment and provided abs. everything we might ever need which was very helpful and kind. So, the apt is 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. I live with 6 other girls which could seem overwhelming but isn't to bad. We have a really big kitchen and a glass balcony that we can sit out to study or eat. The apt is also furnished with unlimited Internet which is very uncommon in Europe as well as a big TV and DVD player and two long couches in a spacious living room. We really lucked out on our living situation, the only thing that is negative is that it takes an hour to get to our institute. This becomes an issue when we have to be at school at 9 am and if we miss the 8:02 train, we are out of luck :) Fun, fun, fun :) Everyday we wish we had a car, but keep reminding our selves of the great exercise we are receiving. Tuesday was our first day of German. My class is about 15 people which is nice, and the structure of the class is participative. That evening we went to a cute restaurant down the street from school and had a good meal consisting of a yummy hamburger and french fries and TONS OF KETCHUP. Yes, ketchup most of the time you have to buy it, like at McDonald's its 50cents a packet. So, being able to have as much as you desired was very nice. Today, we went to class and spent the day walking around the city. Vienna is abs. beautiful with so much history and culture. Today however was rainy and cold. It is around 50 deg. F. now. I am freezing, I cant imagine what it will be like in a couple months. I regret ever bringing summer clothes, they are not necessary at all :) Oh well, that gives reason to shop!! This afternoon we made it to the grocery store a few blocks away and got fresh baked bread and crossants from the bakery as well freshly squezzed orange juice that you actually squezze yourself. I havent tried it yet, but it looks amazing. Well, I am going to go to bed, its 9 pm here and I'm super sick and just want to sleep before my wide awakening at 7 am! Love you all and thanks so much for reading this!!!!