Thursday, May 21, 2015

Vienna & Italian Opera

it You would not beleieve what I just did.Well maybe if you read the title first. It was one of my favorite expierences in this whole year. ITALIAN OPERA. 



As spending my day in Vienna, we were looking for things to do in the afternoon. Our bus driver randomly mentioned theatre for 4€,  I wrote that down and dint forget it. After our 4 hour bus tour, I ran up to our Rotary guy, and asked about it...but he mentioned opera as well. I actually had a spasm. I have wanted to go to an Opera this whole year. I ACTUALLY WENT. All that I spent was 4€, and I saw the Italian version of Cinderella in the state opera house of vienna. I was in the same room as people who would have payed anywhere from 50-400€ for there tickets. 

But if course...there must be a catch to what I am saying..right? Well you've got it. I had a ticket for the standing up section. Thats right, I stood during a 3 hour opera show.I dont know what happened, but I survived and it was great! That is the reason they were so cheap, but you have to arrive early. 

the standong section had no dress code, and as we spontaneously went to this opera house we were wearing our tourist gear. Thats right...backpacks, fannypacks, and tshirts. We were lucky we didnt have to run home or we would not have made it!  We were the goofy looking crew surrounded by Viennas Elite...but it was quite fun! We laughed it off.



And by we, you may be asking who exactly. I was with 2 Rotex, 2 Americans, 1 Australien, and 1 Argentenian. It was a fun group!

Today I ate vegetarian schnitzel- this is typical Austrian. Except usually its meat. Its so strange, I am really not liking meat anymore here. 

It was great!

On the 4 hour tour today we went all around Vienna, and saw the main attractions. My favorite part was going to the museum of Sisi. Maybe you do not know about her, but I find her to be one of the most interesting historical people that exsisted. She married at 16, to her sisters arranged marriage man. All through her life she did not want the duty of a royal, and wanted to be free from the spotlight. I wont spoil her history, but you should definatly google her. They have  movies too.

 
 

I was laughing at this when I saw it because it hust looks so European. 

Currently, Vienna is hosting something called "EuroVision" It is like American Idol for all o Europe, and every country submits someone. So I just came back from a public viewing at the city hall.  There were so many foreigners screaming for there country. It was great

I am currently sitting in Mcdonalds, eating Macaroons and utilizing the free wifi. 

Still keeping my eyes peeled for those pick pocketers! Love You all and looking forward  to my last day in Vienna tommorow. :)

Prague

EURO TOUR

----

Today I took off for a 21 day around Europe Adventure!

After acting like a ridiculous bafoon, and putting off packing- I woke up at 6 am to complete  all of my packing. I was really avoiding it- because I have a tendancy to over  pack.

We left Hamburg at 10:30, with 45 exchange students loaded onto one bus headed to Prague. 

The 9 hour drive was a bit ridiculous- filled with loud singing, reading, napping, guitar playing. I of course was making up songs with a girl and her Ukelele! About everything from Friend Chicken to Obama. a bit strange you may think but it passed the time.

Finally we were in Prague! Around 8:30pm or so.  Driving through the small streets with a very large bus, brought a lot of fear to the people! We were sure we would hit a car, the bus driver had to continuously back up the bus- it was pretty scary..but eventually we made it to our Hotel! 

The Hotel is very nice! We all ate dinner, a very interesting meat and potatoes type of thing, where we then afterwards went for a walk through the "Old City" section. It was so beautiful! Imagine San Fransisco with a midevil twist. Very cool. 


Tommorow I am excited to get to know the City, Dat 1 was a sucess. 


the artsy dressed hipster exchange students! 

Goodbye Prague

Early this morning I said a sad goodbye to Prague. Prague was such a beautiful city! Midevil San Fransisco will be missed. 

The money change was definitely confusing. 1 Euro was equal to 26,5 Krones. However, many people exchanged it for 25 or even 27. You had to hunt for the best deal. The weirdest thing was in many shopes they accepted Euros. 

In Prague, I bought the cheapest, yet most artistic Jewlery! They have a large bridge, and there they have many artists selling things. I had to search but I got a great necklace for 3€ ! It is a monster elephant :) 

I also saw a castle in prague, with a freat view. They have a church there that was built in year 900- that is crazy old!

During the tour, the woman told us that during this time many people were murdered. Because prague had no Royal familys, the rich were the replacment. 
When some wealthy people wanted fo become the higest elite person, thy would sinply murder the other family- and that was very common in the time.  CRAZY. 

In Prague we also went to a John lennon wall. It was all about peace, this was my favorite thing we found. It was so colorful and uplifting about who we are as humans.


I signed my name!!





I am about to go to sleep in a hotel in Vienna. I arrived today, took a city tour, and then had a tea party with the other exchange students. It feels good to be back in a german speaking country! I am really excited about Vienna, I cant wait to get to know it. 

I am also on a dirndl hunt here, I let you know how it goes.

Sending love, and wishing you a good night!

*Continuing to survive the trip of 50 exchange students!* ;)





Saturday, May 16, 2015

May🎉

Greetings loved ones. Lately I have had some issues with technology, so I am sorry for not blogging recently.

I want to tell you all about this great museum I went to on Sunday. It was all about the immigration to the south and north america from the harbor in Hamburg. 

It displayed the wave of political aggrevation and the flee to the "new lands". People were leaving Germany in the early 1900s and late 1800s.

They would all take large, 8 week ships to reach New York. There were many levels based upon how much you could pay for your ticket, the rich paid 400 marks, where as poor people were paying around 60. The cost was the difference between Luxury, or disease infested dirt floors.

The craziest thing that I learned, is that if you ended up sick, or that you answered a question wrong during your interview upon arrival-you would be sent home. The long journey would have been a waste if you said " You were looking for work" Or any other question answered incorectly. 

It was also very interesting to read about the people who changed there names upon arrival. They all wanted to sound more american. It was good for finding work and fitting in, but it was bad because many family trees are mixed up today.

Did you know that there are over 80 German newspapers in the US? They still make the news in German for many americans today. I thought that was really cool.

I am now waiting for my Sport class to begin, but infortunately today I cant play because last week I had bronchitis. 

But today I plan on going on a nice bikeride through the forest across my house. 

I will try and keep you updated better. 

Kenzie








Random photo walking down the street

A famous chocolate called " Cat Tongues" WEIRD!