Ich spreche kein Deutsch
Hello friends!
Austrian mornings are beautiful and I am already feeling so blessed to be studying here for a semester.
A whole semester abroad.
I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't nervous or feeling unprepared, because that is how I have been feeling for the last few days. The wait in the airport for the flight to Austria was overwhelming but exciting. It was overwhelming because I was realizing how real this was becoming, but also because I had just said goodbye to my parents. Goodbyes are probably my least favorite thing in the world, just below my fear of heights, but it didn't seem like I was saying a full goodbye since I felt like I was going on a short trip, rather than leaving for a semester.
But the airport was also filled with excitement because Austria was becoming real, and therefore my dream of traveling Europe was a small 7 hours and 45 minutes away. While waiting in the terminal, I found a group of Franciscan students traveling on the same flight (we took up a good majority of the seats). All the joy and excitement was racing through my veins and blocking out the anxiety and fears that could have held me back from traveling. Chatting with other Franciscan students made the transition a lot easier since there were lots of familiar faces in the crowd.
The whole flight went well for the most part, despite getting a migraine and not sleeping much. It was foggy when we arrived in Vienna, but I was so pumped to get off the plane and see the city. After finding our bags and University welcome party, we boarded the bus for the 2 hour drive to Gaming. The mountains and hills on the way to campus were so beautiful with all the snow, but when we got to campus my jaw dropped at the beauty of everything in the snow.
Today, we traveled to Melk to visit a Benedictine Abbey. The church there was the most beautiful place I have ever been inside; from the frescoes to the architecture. My jaw dropped when I walked in because I was so in shock from all the beauty present in one church. Everyone there was so kind and informative during our tour. Going to mass there was such a blessing and beautiful experience- I loved every moment of it there.
On our way back from lunch, we took a little detour through some side towns to learn about some WWII history while seeing the cities surrounding us. Today was such a wonderful day filled with so many smiles, laughs, and new experiences. I am already going outside of my comfort zone- I ate lunch with a group of people I met while walking into the restaurant, I am auditioning for music ministry tomorrow night, and I know this is just the beginning.
Austria is beautiful: the people, the cities, the snow, everything. I never knew I would fall in love with living in Europe so quick, but I did and I am loving every single second of it.
Take a risk today, walk to a place you've never been, live in your dreams. Life is far too short not too.
((meaning of the title: I do not speak German))
view all my pictures here: http://wheremyfeethavetraveled.tumblr.com
Austrian mornings are beautiful and I am already feeling so blessed to be studying here for a semester.
A whole semester abroad.
I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't nervous or feeling unprepared, because that is how I have been feeling for the last few days. The wait in the airport for the flight to Austria was overwhelming but exciting. It was overwhelming because I was realizing how real this was becoming, but also because I had just said goodbye to my parents. Goodbyes are probably my least favorite thing in the world, just below my fear of heights, but it didn't seem like I was saying a full goodbye since I felt like I was going on a short trip, rather than leaving for a semester.
But the airport was also filled with excitement because Austria was becoming real, and therefore my dream of traveling Europe was a small 7 hours and 45 minutes away. While waiting in the terminal, I found a group of Franciscan students traveling on the same flight (we took up a good majority of the seats). All the joy and excitement was racing through my veins and blocking out the anxiety and fears that could have held me back from traveling. Chatting with other Franciscan students made the transition a lot easier since there were lots of familiar faces in the crowd.
The whole flight went well for the most part, despite getting a migraine and not sleeping much. It was foggy when we arrived in Vienna, but I was so pumped to get off the plane and see the city. After finding our bags and University welcome party, we boarded the bus for the 2 hour drive to Gaming. The mountains and hills on the way to campus were so beautiful with all the snow, but when we got to campus my jaw dropped at the beauty of everything in the snow.
 |
| This is the view from my dorm that I wake up to every single morning. Needless to say, I am loving Austria and all the hidden treasures on this campus. |
-----
Today, we traveled to Melk to visit a Benedictine Abbey. The church there was the most beautiful place I have ever been inside; from the frescoes to the architecture. My jaw dropped when I walked in because I was so in shock from all the beauty present in one church. Everyone there was so kind and informative during our tour. Going to mass there was such a blessing and beautiful experience- I loved every moment of it there.
 |
| This is the outside of the Guest Wing, where we learned about the history and different art pieces. |
 |
| One of the ceiling frescoes from the tour. |
 |
| This is the ceiling of the church- can you say BEAUTIFUL?! |
 |
| The beautiful altar |
On our way back from lunch, we took a little detour through some side towns to learn about some WWII history while seeing the cities surrounding us. Today was such a wonderful day filled with so many smiles, laughs, and new experiences. I am already going outside of my comfort zone- I ate lunch with a group of people I met while walking into the restaurant, I am auditioning for music ministry tomorrow night, and I know this is just the beginning.
Austria is beautiful: the people, the cities, the snow, everything. I never knew I would fall in love with living in Europe so quick, but I did and I am loving every single second of it.
Take a risk today, walk to a place you've never been, live in your dreams. Life is far too short not too.
((meaning of the title: I do not speak German))
view all my pictures here: http://wheremyfeethavetraveled.tumblr.com
Comments
Post a Comment