Vienna Photography- More Unedited

These are the pictures that I have taken over the last couple of weeks. There are some fun shots. I have a few favorites. Particularly the ones involving squirrels. I may have been chasing him. They are called "Squirrel crouching in grass" and "Squirrel jumping over fence." Maybe it was one of those you had to be there things.

Vienna Photography- Unedited

More to come.

PEOPLE OF VIENNA.

If I am with you and taking a picture please, please, please, do not let me make peace signs with my fingers.

Even if I think it is funny... I look ridiculous.

The end.

Day 17.

Dominated my German Quiz today. Dominated.

Now I am home at 6:30 on a Thursday night. I have no homework due tomorrow because there is no class on Friday. I know I could go out and explore this beautiful city, but I don't feel like rocking the city life tonight. Lucky for me I get to be here for 71 more days. :]

I think I want to read a book. Yep that is exactly what I am going to do.

Prague Pictures Tonight. Be ready. 

Day 16.

Another day gone. Everyday I tell myself that I am going to get home earlier and start my homework before ten that way I can get to bed. It just never seems to happen. Here I am yet again beginning my homework way past my bedtime.

This morning Kayla and I went running through the most beautiful woods I have ever seen. Since I was running I didn't have my camera but it is definitely on the docket for a photo shoot in the near future. I ran past a vine-yard. How cool is that?

The majority of the day was spent studying for my German Quiz tomorrow. 75 new vocabs words in two days. It's no big deal.

[Why am I doing this pose in every single picture I take?]

This is right in front of the Opera House. It is a large W that stands for Wein which means Vienna in German. 

Okay I am about to make a promise now. I am going to post Prague pictures TOMORROW. I need to sift through the 600+ that I took and post them so you all can know what an amazing city it is. I am excited for this weekend because we are finally going to be seeing the real Vienna. Getting to know the city that I am living in. Nothing better. 

Well this post is extremely disjointed. I must need some sleep. Shocker. Running through the woods again in less than 7 hours. Guten Nacht! 

Day 15.

Two words for you. Flash Mob.

Was I part of one today? Yes. Will you ever see a video from it? I can only pray that you won't. There is nothing like running through the first district of Vienna belting show tunes and dancing with your fellow Americans. The tourists loved it.

Today was a good day. I survived German, didn't spend any money on food, and bought some cool school supplies at Pagro. There is just something about fresh school supplies that makes me feel motivated.

I took some time today to just wander Vienna by myself. The whole being in the group 24/7 is fun, but I just needed a little break. On just one street I passed three cathedrals. It was brilliant. I have to pray in one for an assignment. That should be super interesting.

We went to the Gulasch Museum for dinner tonight and it was delicious. Our program directors, the Plummers, were nice enough to foot the bill. The main topic of discussion was Chip Dallin's love life. I have to say that it was pretty entertaining.  Now on to German homework!

Gulasch. Yum. 

Butterfly House.

Yesterday I was able to go to the Imperial Butterfly house. It was a pretty neat experience. It reminds me of the good old days when I used to go to the Seattle Children's Museam. I was shooting with a new lens trying to get adjusted. The most frustrating thing was that the lens kept fogging up. It was really humid in the butterfly house and apparently my lens was cold. Not a good combination.

Here are some pictures :]

Day 14.

THE RAIN STOPPED.

Today I was able to wear my jacket without a hood. Huzzah.

I cannot believe that I have been here for two weeks. It has gone by so fast, yet at the same time I feel as if I have been here forever.

I have a bunch of homework and other things to finish this evening so unfortunately blogging is going to take a backseat.

Tom- I will post my pictures eventually. If only they didn't take so long to load.

I hope you are having a wonderful day and tomorrows Posts will be amazing.

I promise.

-Krystle

Austria.

This country is changing my life.

There are so many things to do and see that there are no other words to explain it other than

Life Changing.

I had an opportunity for some reflective time today and I was thinking about what I wanted out of life. The great and eternal question. You know what I decided? I just want to be happy. Not fake happy... but really eternally blissfully happy.

Now I just have to figure out how to accomplish this.

You may not know this but I recently had a life change where I decided I wasn't going to worry about all of the small things anymore and just focus on the bigger picture. So far it's working. I am much happier.

There are so many things I want to say that now I am just rambling on. Upon further contemplation I will fill you all in.

I hope you are enjoying your life. Don't get mad if someone doesn't do the dishes. It's not worth it.

Love,
Krystle

P.S. Tons of pictures of Austria are up on http://attemptingadventure.blogspot.com

Day 13.

I have so many pictures to post.

I have so many things to think about. 

I have so much German to memorize. 

I have so many pages to read. 

All of which I am going to do tomorrow. 

Sometimes I just need a day where I accomplish nothing. I suppose that making it to church in the downpour that is occurring outside may qualify, but other than that... nothing. It was wonderful. Sometimes a rainy day just calls for snuggling under your favorite blanket and reading a good book. Indoor picnics are excellent too. Thanks Kayla :] 

Many faces of Kayla.

She is gorgeous. I know. Can't wait until we can do a real photo shoot :]

Day 12.

There are not enough words to describe my Prague weekend. Try as I might I cannot do it justice.

Today I...
-Found the John Lennon Wall
-Participated in an Indian Ritual
-Joined thousands of people bridge crossing
-Created a chain
-Walked
-Made a vow to return to Prague lock in hand
-Enjoyed a free Czech concert in Old Town Square
-Bought Gelato
-Checked out of the Hostel
-Ate the best Pastries
-Laughed
-Bought ridiculous souvenirs
-Enjoyed a 4 hour bus ride home
-Showered after three days

Overall I would say that it was extremely productive.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. Many many more to come.

P.S. When you go to Prague take a lock with a key. Carry it with you at all times. You will know when to use it :]

Day 11.

Today was perfect.

It rained all day. We got lost multiple times. People stared. But it was perfect.

Prague is one of the most amazing cities that I have ever been to. Plus you can't beat the night life :]

We decided to trek up to the castle and it was well worth the trip. The castle is a colabortaion of all these different types of architecture from all these different periods of history. Each ruler added what they like and gto rid of what they didn't. The cathedral was the most beautiful one I have ever seen. The St. Vitus Cathedral has the most colorful glass windows. I would know because I have been in quite a few as of late.

It was raining all day. I jumped from one umbrella to the other in an attempt to remain dry. Thank goodness I invested in a Northface before I left. It seriously saved my life today. After the castle scene we ended up getting lost. All of the guide books reccomend it and yet we didn't do it on purpose. We just saw the city like the locals. We spent two hours warming up from the rain in a local coffee shop, browsed street vendors, and walked walked walked.

William asked too many questions. We were all too loud. Everyone had their cameras out. People stared. We loved it. After finding this hole in the wall restaraunt we just sat, ate, and enjoyed each others company. Best dinner yet. We have no idea what it was called but I have a business card for the next time that I go back.

Prague. You have changed my life.

Jenny, Jana, Whitney, Maria, Ambree, and William I love you.

Now to go experience Hostel life on a Friday night. Should be interesting. I'll keep you updated.

Day 10.

Good news all. I have Internet at the hostel I am staying in.

Yes I said Hostel. Yes I am sharing a room with strangers. Be jealous.

Europe is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know that getting out of Vienna is exactly what I needed. I am seeing the world and I love it. I have been meeting people from all over the world. Brad from Australia. Steven from Connecticut. It has been pretty amazing. People live so differently than we do in the States. I love calling America the States.

I wish that I could upload some pictures for you all to see. Prague is such a beautiful city. Every style of architecture imaginable. The Cathedrals are beautiful. The streets are cobblestone. The buildings are colorful and quaint.

We went on a walking tour today with our tour guide Justin. We learned all about the history of the Czech Republic and it was super interesting. Maybe it was the way Justin dumbed it down for us but I found all three hours of the tour fascinating. So much history here. Everything has been around for so long that it is hard not to feel insignificant. He showed us the city on a broad scale and tomorrow we are going to start adventuring on our own. Prague Castle is a stop for sure.

I want to backpack through Europe. I want to go everywhere and see everything and live out of my background. Keep everything low key and uncomplicated. People are the same. They are just looking for purpose and adventure in their lives. Luckily we have Europe to come find ourselves in.

Well I am off to see the night life of Prague. Wish me luck.

PRAGUE.

I'm off for the weekend to Prague! No internet... therefore no blogging. I'll have mucho stories and adventures when I get back. Be prepared!

Day 8.

I am in Vienna for a reason. I'm not sure what it is yet, but I am thinking I am about to find out.

Day 7.

It is the end of the first week. I am officially in culture shock. It is not that I don't love Vienna it is just a touch hard for me to be away from America at the moment.

Things I miss about home:
1. My family. I missed talking to my mom on Mother's day. Epic Fail.
2. All of the signs/packaging being in the English Language.
3. When a downpour hits my umbrella is not 45 mins away.
4. My clothes. Sad but true. Why did I only bring 4 t-shirts? Who knows.
5. Everything being in English.

Surprisingly I don't miss my cell phone. I thought I would be going through withdrawals of some sort but it has been an extremely easy transition.

Now that I have burdened you with those sad and depressing thoughts let me tell you what I love about Vienna:
1. I love Public Transportation. I love love love it. I feel so "metropolitan" as my roommate Kayla puts it. I love that I can get from A to B all on my own without driving. It's grand.
2. The architecture here is amazing. Why could America not be this beautiful?
3. The people on this study abroad with me. Seriously great friends.
4. Opportunity to learn a different language. I understood what the woman at Pagro was telling me when she handed me back my change. HUZZAH. I could have danced.
5. GREEN. Everything here is green, lush, and gorgeous. Reminds me of Washington. Especially on days like today when it never stops raining.
6. The way that me and my roommate are always laughing. Everyone always stares at us. It is like these people forgot how to have a good time or something. No worries. We will remind them.
7. I can't forget the Gelato. I have had it 3/4 days. I may have an addiction.

Today I hit up school. Got some Gelato. Road around on the U-bahn. Studied some German. Found some Austrian Mormon friends at FHE. Grabbed a delicious dinner for super cheap. Overall I would say that it was an extremely productive day. Just another day in Vienna :]

Now I have to get studying for a Quiz in German tomorrow. Joy.

Guten Nacht! (aka Good Night in German)

Pictures from today! I was having a difficult time getting inspired. Hopefully tomorrow is better.

"I have Choco's. I'm so rugged." Thank you Jenny Pate. 

Ale thank you for being my model. You are lovely. 

The downpour. 

Low shutter speed and no tripod. Hmmm.

Quote.

An excellent friend shared a quote with me today. 


we make a dwelling in the evening air,
in which being there together is enough.

-wallace stevens

Tell everyone you love that you love them.