10 months in

The past ten months of my life have been an amazing experience. I have been living in Vienna since July. I left Fayetteville, where I had the same friends and connections for so many years. I have overcome challenges while learning about myself, expanding my horizons and broadening my world view. I have learned some German, created a social network, gained an understanding and appreciation for the culture, and know Vienna like the back of my hand. I have gained so much from this adventure.

I've grown up exposed to travel and had the opportunity to explore new places. Two years ago, I spent time in France and fell in love with Europe. I wanted more. I signed a contract within months of making my Au Pair profile online. I act as an older sister to Moni, teaching an hour of English daily and playing with her. We have both taught each other many new things and have grown close and I really enjoy watching her grow academically and as a person.

In hindsight, I was naïve to the struggles and obstacles I would have to overcome here. Moving from a small American town to a large city where I knew no one and didn’t speak the language was drastic. I've traveled before and had visited a country where I knew a little of their language, but realized that I was flying solo, without the help of tour guides, family and friends. The culture shock was overwhelming during my first two months. I struggled to learn the metro to get to my German class. The only people I knew were my host family and the students in my class who didn’t speak much English. I attempted to make friends and learn my way around the city. I tried to fit into my role in the family, which was harder than I expected. Since I have been here, I have traveled and met amazing people of different ages and personalities from every corner of the world. I've learned to love and respect diversity and differences among people.

My experiences in Vienna and Europe have shaped me into a more bold and confident person. I am now able to independently define who I am and what I believe rather than be defined by past behaviors or family expectations. I have learned that I can make it on my own and can make it anywhere. I am still unsure as to what exactly my future will hold, but I am enrolled at Colorado State for the fall of 2009. A year ago I had never felt so terrified, but now I have never felt so ready.

Thank you for listening to my stories and letting me share my experiences with you, but unfortunately it is coming to an end. I am looking forward to a Prague trip with my host family. Before I leave, Charlie will come visit me and we will travel a few weeks before returning to America.

Skylar

4 days in Budapest

I have found a new favorite city: Budapest, Hungary. I spent 4 nights there during the beginning of February and have decided to go back next weekend. I have 3 Vienna friends joining me. It is a beautiful city with lots to do and see.

The thermal baths are wonderful, especially during the winter. I went to the Gellert Baths to warm up my chilly bones and spent a whole day in 34 C/ 93 F water.

I walked to the top of a hill to see a view of all of Budapest. This is the view of the Parliament building

There are many wonderful statues and fountains throughout the whole city, but this was one of my favorites.

Ducks heating up in the steaming thermal pond--one of the only non-frozen outdoor bodies of water aside from the Danube River.

I walked across three of the bridges crossing the Danube River which separates the two parts of the city, Buda and Pest.

Superstitions

I have never met a more superstitious or worried person than Reinhilde. I have a great job and love my host family, but today something she said really suprised me. I thought I would share a few things about the family that I find strange.

We don't own a microwave because "the radioactive waves are bad for you and probably cause cancer." which I understand to a certain extent.

Peanut Butter is purchased only for me because "peanuts can cause cancer."

We do not have wireless internet or a wireless home telephone because "the radio signals affect your heartbeat and can be deadly."

When I take Moni to school on snowy or rainy days, we take a taxi because it is bad for moni to be in the cold for too long.

"Cold drinks are bad for your body temperature." Ice isn't use (let alone existent) in this household the only refrigerated beverages are milk and white wine. Reinhilde insists that Moni drinks milk that is room temperature so when she eats cereal, it is heated up to room temperature on the stove.

Last week, Reinhilde said that she and Moni have both had a hard time sleeping lately (I'm sure it has nothing to do with Reinhilde taking naps around 5 pm sometimes), so she was having a professional come to the house to check where the water pipes and energy lines are so that the beds can be aligned properly. She informed me that my room would be checked too, but I don't have to move my bed if I am not having sleeping problems. This morning, I asked her how everything went. SHe replied, "Well the woman told me that Moni's bed should be moved. My side of the bedroom has a bad aura because of work-related stress that I have brought into it, so I will have to smoke it out to release the bad energy." *sounds crazy, I am thinking, as Martin is rolling his eyes and shaking his head behind her back* "Your bedroom also has bad energy and I will have to smoke it out this weekend while you are out." I asked her how my room could get bad energy and she said it isn't necessarily from me because I am the 4th Au Pair to live in the room and many guests have slept here.

Am I the only one that things this is strange? I thought you only smoked out rooms when someone died in the house..

SNOW

It has been snowing heavily since about two weeks ago. Finally, it stopped and has warmed up and started to melt. It was fun and I had never seen a foot of snow in a city, but I am glad to see it go as snow shoveling several times a day became quite tedious.

One of the cats has been missing for a week and I am really hoping that he doesn't turn up under a pile of melted snow.

7 months in

My last blog expired a few months ago, so I decided to create a new one.

I have now been living in Vienna for 7 months and I still loving it. I have a lot to update everyone on. From trips to experiences with the host family there is too much to say in one day!