First Few Days in Vienna

First Few Days in Vienna: 

SO MUCH WALKING MY LEGS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF

Travelling to a new country is such a privileged experience, and I am so happy to have gotten this opportunity in the height of my learning career. Seeing how another country just lives in such a different way, from how they eat chicken as a vegetable (sorry for the sarcasm),

or their different chain supermarkets and stores (SPAR instead of Safeway), and just how many restaurants and stores are packed close together, because you have to walk everywhere! Not to mention the intense culture shock of seeing incredible historical buildings just everywhere. I grew up in a rather small town on the California coast, with the closest city with historical buildings (like from the 20th century), being about a 2 hour drive to San Francisco. So it is absolutely incredible seeing the beautiful buildings and museums within walking distance of where we are staying.

However, the one thing that might be hard to get used to is the heat. It is so hot here, and honestly I am not a sweaty person, but man am I stinking up all of my clothes fresh from the suitcase. Also, walking around everywhere on top of this heat is so uncomfortable. I thought I would be prepared for the walking aspect, because I run with my dog in Henry Cowell State Park across the street from my house every morning, but my feet hurt so bad! Thankfully though, I know it will get better, and I have slept amazingly well the first few days I have spent here. Also, it has been great meeting like minded people in the program, and making great friends and conversation, I am so excited to get to know everyone better! So far, my first experience in a European city has been hot, tiring, eye opening, and incredible.

Preparing for Takeoff!

Preparing for Takeoff!

Kiana's revelations about the exciting adventure that awaits her...

Okay, so I know the title is corny, but its accurate! I am about one week away from my first experience outside of North America! (Yes I have been to Canada and Mexico) I have always wanted to travel to Europe, as I am utterly fascinated by it's culture and history, which has been multiplied by my love for foreign BoyBands and taking multiple European History classes at my home campus of UC Davis (even though I'm not a History major; sorry). European civilization and culture has just been around so much longer than American culture (although I am a MAJOR U.S. History buff; let's just conclude that I am a History buff in general), therefore almost every building and town in Europe just is so rich in historical significance that I am just 'over-the-moon' excited to explore.  In any case, I am completely clueless and green on travelling to Europe, which is extremely exciting, but also terrifying. 

I was honestly shaking when I got off the plane in the Milan airport; I was now in a whole new place, with my father drilling me beforehand about just how far away I would be and how he wouldn't be able to help. Although I barely got any sleep on the plane, I was wide awake, needing to figure out how to get to the train station, and fearing everyone around me as a pick-pocketer (I know, I was exaggerating). The heat, the jet-lag, the masses of people who spoke in a language I did not understand, were a little overwhelming, but my fears were swept away by the incredible scenery on the trains to Vienna (going through the Alps!) and the sleep that inevitably came on my travels. When I finally arrived in Vienna after two days of travelling in the same clothes (eww I know), I could not take my eyes off of the beautiful night life. The taxi ride was easy and not as expensive as I thought, and the hostel was nicer than I thought, and all my expectations for travelling were exceeded. It was a hot day, and I was tired and jet-lagged from two full days of plane and train travel, but it was completely worth it to experience being a bold traveler.

I am now extremely proud to say that I have traveled without trouble across the Atlantic Ocean and the Italian and Austrian Alps, an experience I will never forget.