Blogging
From Abroad

Hokay, so my sister is (as we say in middle school) da bomb.com

She recently sent me a box filled with goodies.

Here are some inside jokes we have:

• About the fortune cookie: She sent me a fortune cookie because everytime we go to the Asian Garden in Morgantown or Peking back in our hometown I somehow get a crazy fortune like “Watch you back” while my sisters always read something like, “You will be the most successful person EVER” It never fails…

• About the notebook: Before Sarah went to Cambridge she asked me to buy her a spiral notebook for class and when I saw Zac Efron on the cover I couldn’t resist. I still laugh at the thought of her bringing it to lectures in Cambridge. ha! So she returned the favor.

• About the CD: Who’da thought there was a band called the Lovell Sisters. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-YSveqkImk

• About the t-shirt: One of our favorite youtube videos to quote is End of Ze World. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZMwKPmsbWE

• About the books: I LOVE having time to read here! 1 down 2 to go. btw- don’t judge a book by its title. ha!

Ok, in my previous blog I had a lot of built up energy I had to let out. I feel much better having elaborated a bit about my feelings of Austria, but I don’t want to put everything in writing. I encourage you to develop a picture of the scenes I try to paint on electronic canvas (as well as come see Austria for yourself! (-: )

The past two days were a holiday from uni and so myself, a cool dude from Belgium (Rob D.) and two other Americans studying Organic farming (Josh and Rob B.) all went to Landeck, in the Tyrol of Austria. Landeck is at the far west of the state of Tyrol in Austria. It sits in a valley absolutely surrounded by majestic snowy peaks, alpine meadows and fast-flowing rivers. It is truly a uniquely serene area!

We went with an outfitter called Sport Camp Tirol (http://www.sportcamptirol.at/wir.en.html). The camp was situated right on the river and was run by a lovely, very-well English-speaking older couple. They have been running the Sport Camp Tirol for 21 years- check them out on the website! They offer numerous activities including rock climbing, mountain walking, whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, canyoning, biking, hiking and other summer activities. The guides and everyone was extremely laid back, really a neat operation.

The first day we got on the super-fast flowing river. Myself and Rob D. got in a two-person inflatable kayak or IK. That thing was unbelievably hard to control! I have some whitewater experience, but nothing prepared me for class III rapids in a heavy boat that was extremely difficult to steer. So, of course we got tossed out a couple times in the gnarliest of sections, that run down the river really knocked some sense into me, but atleast we still have lungs (from Hannes)!

Josh chillin out at our rest stop, you can see the IK on the shore behind him, now imagine 2 people in there, dangerous!

I do not have any photos of what we did the second day (waiting for them- may post them at a later date), but it was canyoning. I have a ton of respect for those canyoning guys, it is INTENSE! Canyoning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canyoning) is a sport where you literally follow a river through a canyon, overcoming unimaginable obstacles. You are abseiling (rappelling) down through waterfalls, and the pressure of that water is unbelievably strong! It throws you every which way, pounds and pins you down. Sometimes there are slides and jumps and you can jump off, which is fun. Also take note to what feeds the rivers, GLACIERS! That water was just above freezing temperature! The water that is slamming you in the face when you descend a waterfall was recently snow!

The last day, we climbed a peak, the Krahberg. Looking at it from the valley in Landeck, we’re thinking, “yea there doesn’t seem to be much snow up there”. Whoa!! We essentially made our own trail going up, busting through the woods until we slowed to a crawl at the snow line. Rob B. broke trail for a while, then I broke trail. It was hard work because you would “post hole” or break through the stiff crust and sink down to your knees or thighs. So each step had to pound down the snow, but they also had to be slow and deliberate, often you were walking over rocks and hidden crevices. You see, the trees and vegetation melt the snow from underneath, making sink holes a real threat! We overcame the snow, and I stopped to take a photo here, here we are, no shirts because it was blazing hot with the sun out. Then the sun would go away and instantly it was cold enough for a jacket again! I just love high alpine weather (-;

A lovely view looking south, pretty much into Italy.

On the way up and down we are greeted by these nice springs. It is so great just to be able to drink straight out of the streams anywhere, can’t do that in much of West Virginia. Perhaps we should take note to the idea of protective forests in the USA more.

Not sure if I have posted any photos of there “grave gardens”, but this alpine town had a well-taken care of cemetery inside of the church grounds. Granted we came on Mother’s Day, it was still lovely.

The next photos are for those who enjoy cool alpine-style architecture!

Look! Its a llama! (I love saying that (-: )

Bye!

Just when I thought Austria had revealed much of herself, I get a most pleasant surprise in the form of the most gorgeous area I have ever seen in my life. I think it is safe to say I have fallen flat on my face in love with the Tyrol (-;

Picture-perfect postcard Austria! It has to be seen to be believed! Honestly, I know I have harped endless about the beauty of Austria in previous posts, but…. the Tyrol is on another level, like a dream come true! Such unspoiled, majestic beauty just completely blew my mind.

Call me crazy, but I lay in bed at night and think about it until I fall asleep. From the ice-cold, rushing, mineral-laden glacial melt water of the valley rivers, to the individual fruit trees in flower in every yard, to the alpine pastures growing so green and ever so fully saturated with wild-flowers that seem to look up at you like little smiling faces as you walk by. I have never been to an area where an environment seems so happy, everything seemed so content and loving life!

It is easy to see why life in the Tyrol is so good, the photo simply speaks for itself. A flowing harmony of man, mountains, rivers, trees and wilderness, what eloquent bliss…

The unspoiled, breath-taking world of Tyrol is one I will never forget. I most fully desire to retire here! Before I left the Tyrol I was already thinking about the logistics of making a move (-;

May 1st is a national holiday in Austria. Called “May Day”, it represents the workers or labor day. On this day, Hannes’s parents had an open house on the farm. There was a bar, and a whole variety of grilled food, pretty much everything you’d have at a barbecue- and it was all Bio (Organic)! I went to help out wherever I could for the day. The farm is in Schöngumprechting, which is near Salzburg. My duty was “frymaster”, I was exclusively in charge of deep frying the 25 kilos of pommes (french fries) we went through that day, they were a hot item!

All in all, the open house was a huge success, 400-500 people came throughout the day! By the way, the Plackner farm is an organic goat farm, specializing in goat products including milk, cheese products and kitz (young goat) meat. Having sampled nearly everything, I can say the products are most delicious!

Life is good for the goaties on the Plackner farm, look at how happy they are! Happy goaties = deliciousness!

Yesterday we made a brief excursion into the mountains to a famous gorge called Liechtensteinklamm. It was magnificent! Extremely steep rock walls rising out of a canyon with crystal clear, aqua-blue glacial melt water running briskly at the bottom as it carved it’s way through the canyon leaving scar formations on the rock.

It is custom in Austria to have one nice suit for formal functions. It is a big deal to get one, and you have it for life. Here I am in a sweet jacket, complete with deer horn buttons!

Bye!

Check out a few of my favorite things about Hungary:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2199732&l=ccdbc&id=25807013

...off to Serbia this weekend with my roommates to celebrate our 4 day weekend. Yeah Workers Day!

On a lighter note- Balaton was beautiful. I can see why it’s such a popular vacation spot for Hungarians and Germans.

I enjoyed relaxing by the lake and reading The Kite Runner.

When I returned to the SOB airport I dreaded the upcoming travels, first to get to my hostel then the following day back to Szeged. I wish I had the courage to rent a car or better yet, hitch-hike. Instead I chickened out and decide to use public transport.

Getting to the hostel in Balaton was supposed to be simple. I had my guidebook, detailed directions and a room confirmation for the night. My flight arrived at 8:30pm, surly, I thought, I could make it by 10:30. If I only knew what lied ahead…

My overpriced bus from the airport to the train station ended up being a shuttle to drop tourists off to their hotels It’s not a big deal unless you’re dropped off at the wrong station an hour later in the middle of no where with no sign of life at the station. The place was so small, not even listed in my guidebook map, and was pitched black. I asked the driver, “Are trains even running this late at night here?” “I’m not sure.”

_You’re kidding me, right?! You’re trying to drop me off at a train station that ISN’T EVEN OPEN?! Am I being punked?! _

Luck was on my side (cough cough) and the station was open for one more train out that night. The timing was so close that as soon as I bought my ticket I ran outside and the conductor was waving me to sprint because they were leaving.

I miraculously made the correct train transfer five stations out AND was finally heading towards the my hostel. I nearly missed my stop 30 minutes later because evidently Balaton doesn’t believe in clear, well lit signage. When I finally spotted a sign, the train started moving and I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF A MOVING TRAIN. (Which secretly made me happy.)

As I’m walking to my hostel in the dark at 11pm at night I get this overwhelming sensation knowing that no one has any idea where I am right now. I think, THIS IS AWESOME…AND I JUST JUMPED OUT OF A MOVING TRAIN. BOO YEAH! (if you’re a psychologist and reading this, please diagnos me. This adiction to travel is getting a bit expensive.)

I find my hostel…but couldn’t get in. The place was locked. Weird I know. I ring the outside buzzer to try and enter. No response. I call the main desk. No repsonse. The hostel is right in front of me and I can’t even get inside.

_You’re kidding, right?! I’m right here, no lights are on in this hostel, and I had a flipping confirmation. Am I being punked?! _

The only thing lit for five blocks was a restaurant. I walk towards the light like a bug in a campsite and ask a worker, “Hi I’m sorry to bother. I was just trying to get in contact with my hostel. Do you happen to know why it’s not open?”

Then I get the infamous look of “You idiot! Why are you in Hungary and speaking English?”
....I’m still trying to figure that one out.

Luck was on my side (cough cough) and someone at the restaurant spoke a little English or at least could understand my drawings and non-verbals. He tells me of another hostel that is for “10 Euros. 300m away”

I can tell I’m starting to get frustrated because I start cursing meters AND euros.

15 minutes later I’m lost. What a shocker. 10 minutes later I actually see a sign that says HOTEL and wow it actually looks open during this non-tourist season. Rooms here are priced at 45 euros according to the woman at the front desk. At this moment I should have just swallowed my pride and settled on a room but gosh darn it, I’m stubborn and cheap (not a good combination when you’re traveling) I kindly refuse and leave determined to find this mystical 10 euros hostel.

30 minutes later after not finding a open hostel OR hotel, I decide to go back.

“Hi, I’m back. I would like room, just one night please.”
“(typing) Oh I’m sorry! It’s actually going to be 55 euros a night.”

_You’re kidding right?! You just told me the wrong price of a hotel room and expect me to pay more for your poor service?! Am I being punked?! _

Sadly, I wasn’t being punked. Ashton Kutcher, or anyone else for that matter, was not around. The only thing present was the reality that things don’t always work out the way you want them to.

It was around 1am when I found this magical “10 Euro” hostel…that was actually a hotel…and actually cost 30 euros. Grrrrrrreat.

I give up. SOB airport you win.

On Friday our agenda was to attend a university lecture, visit the triangle where the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany meet, and watch a German movie.

To get to her lecture we rode bikes (so Europe- I love it.) and after a 15 ride through the countryside we came across this massive fortress. I stood, jaw dropped, in awe of the building she calls her classroom lecture hall.

The place was MASSIVE and looked so techno-savy, like it was copied from a sci-fi movie. Everything was modern. The inside had escelators, sculputures, and clear signage.

The architecture was so magnificant. Surly this was built in the last 5-10 years, right?!
Imagine my shock when Sonja told me it was built in the 70’s.

For this exact reason, Germany intimidates me. It’s so far ahead of its time.
Recycling bins are all over the city.
Everyone I met was bilingual.
It has a woman in its highest political position.
It takes a stance against war and has efficient public transportation.

No wonder Germans love to travel so much. Everywhere they go they travel back in time.

Germany was wonderful. Sonja was a great host. Here are some of my video highlights of the weekend:

Bike riding in the countryside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8gsLKlFD5E

Dancing the night away in the German discos

Glimpse of the city square in Holland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A5w2lyJs_0

You can check out all of my pictures of the weekend here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2201972&l=8057a&id=25807013

Balaton’s airport, perfectly acronymed the SOB (Saarmelleek/balaton) airport, angers me. I have learned the hard way to “just say no” to Ryan Air airline deals when the cost to and from the airport is nearly 5 times the cost of the actual flight. The only positive thing that came out of my flight this weekend was knowing to NEVER GO BACK.

For me to get to the SOB airport I had to train from:
Szeged-Budapest Nyugati station
Budapest Nyugati station-Budapest Kelendöldi station
Budapest Kelendöldi station-Balatonszentgyörgy

Total train time: 6 hours NOT including train transfer departure delays

But the monotonous train ride was minute compared to the huge burden to get from the train station to the airport, a mere 7 miles apart. I planned on catching the bus transfer but sadly, due to a delay, I had missed the hourly shuttle by 10 minutes and my flight left in an hour and a half.

So I was forced to get a taxi. Ugh! Even the word taxi makes me cringe.

Once I arrive at the station I walk outside and assume that there will be cabs waiting to pick the passangers up. WRONG! I didn’t realize just how far in the coutnry I was. No cars were even in the parking lot. For laughs, I snapped a picture of me “hailing a cab” in BFE Hungary.

20 minutes later, after calling the cab company, I was at the arrival gate of the airport and 40 USD poorer. Add not being able to bargain a 5 minute cab fare to the list of frustrations with not knowing the language.

NEVER AGAIN YOU SOB AIRPORT!