Tuesday, September 4

Today was great! Amber and I woke up early and headed out into the city with our new friend, Joe, from Boston. It is mandatory that all exchange students register with the city, so we had to get our Serbian friend to draw us a map of how to get there. It was a success! I am beginning to understand the routes of the metro system, which they call the U, as well as the streets. Everything is organized into different numbered districts. I am in district 7 of Vienna. The city is that big! :) I'm not in Kentucky anymore, momma! :)

After we registered, we all came back to the dorm and took naps. Then, Amber, Joe, and I headed out to have dinner with our new friend Mac (nickname for a much harder to pronounce name) from Saudi Arabia. Mac's family are high up in the oil industry, and Mac is also studying petroleum management. He is very smart. It was funny, because to find our restaraunt, Mac pulled out his personal pocket GPS system... which took us right to the place. We ate ate Viapino, an Italian restaraunt that had the most interesting and wonderful inside design of any place that I have been to... even in the states. We had fresh Bruschetta and a ham pizza. After dinner, we all had Gelatto ice cream at a shop down town. We walked along the Museum Quarter and had a nighttime look at the parliment building and many beautiful gardens and cathedrals. Mac wants to take us to see the Spanish Riding School tomorrow, so we might meet up with him again.

One thing that I have already been able to take away, after only being in Vienna for 2.5 days --

I am learning SO much about other countries and their people. As a young person in today's society, I really feel like I am not exposed to other cultures, even though I have been abroad many times. Here, I am getting to sit down with people from entirely different backgrounds and talk about politics, our religions, music, and even just what we do for fun. We are so different, but really a lot alike, as well. The Serbian guys love the show South Park.... I don't really know why! :) The most surprising thing, though, is that the people I have connected the best with are people who I had previously believed to have nothing in common with me. Fahrad, from Iran, is probably the sweetest guy that I have met in a long time (except you, Bryce! lol) Srdjan, from Serbia, is very very smart, and I have talked to him about everything! He is so funny, and we're really a lot alike. We have so much fun with Surge (as we've affectionately named him)! Mac is also another surprise, but I really love that guy! He is so fun!

So far -- an amazing experience. I will keep you posted. Continue to pray for me, and I hope to have some great stories about our tour around Vienna for tomorrow!

Love,

Amanda