Canada calling

In two hours I have the first of two telephone interviews. An hour later I have the second interview. I am... I'm not sure. Excited. Nervous. Yes to both.

Either way, I know they will be good learning experiences.

Aut disce aut discede.

Formula 1

Scammed the Formula 1 system out of nearly €2000 today...I was one of 12 who walked straight through with out shelling out a single Euro cent. Amazing experience.

In other news, I am still alive, but Internet is sporadic so don't be expecting regular updates.

Tomorrow is Heidelberg.

Tuesday we haven't planned yet.

Wednesday is Rome.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

I’m sitting on the train leaving Vienna, destination Stuttgart, Germany. Am I excited? Sort of. Sad? Sort of. I’m a bit of everything actually.

S and K stayed with me until the train left. It was bittersweet. I’ve always watched with a tinge of contempt as travelers draw out their goodbyes. You can tell when someone is excited to leave and when someone just can’t bear to turnaround and board the train. Today I was one of those who didn’t want to leave. Who turned around for just one more hug, just one more conversation, anything to make time slow down. Anything to stop the inevitable.

The German language has a wonderful word for good-bye, “Auf Wiedersehen” which is like saying “Till next time”.

Auf Wiedersehen Vienna

Random thoughts

Flames to dust,
Lovers to friends,
Why do all good things come to an end?
~ Nelly Furtado, All good things (come to an end)


I just got back from a going away dinner my friends organized for me. I'm already living in my last 24 hours in Vienna. Not quite sure how I feel about that.

C reminded me not to look at this like the end but rather the beginning of a new chapter. But what if I'm torn between the chapters? On the one hand there are aspects of the "finishing" chapter I'd like to keep but at the same time, can I experience the "beginning" chapter if I don't let go of the previous one?

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back home but at the same time I don't want to leave my friends or my lifestyle that I have here. Any one have any ideas on how to merge the two worlds?

As I said goodbye to D today, she looked straight at me and said "You'll be back. I don't know how or when, but I know you'll come back." I hope she's right. But then again, maybe it's time for me to go back to the culture I grew up in and live a life without all the traveling. I suspect though that I won't feel really at home. The reverse culture shock is scaring me already. I remember how bad it was last time I came back. Not something I really look forward to dealing with again.

I am a little confused. On the one hand I love where I come from but at the same time the culture and life style here appeal to me on a level I can't explain. I come here and I somehow feel at home. As if this fits. But at the same time, I am thrilled to drive down the streets and see the mountains, drink water straight from the tap and see all my friends. There are aspects of each culture that frustrate and annoy me, but yet they both feel good. Like I almost belong. But not quite. I'm still looking for my home. And at the moment, it could be here, it could be there.

Now it's just a matter of getting some sleep and enjoying my last few hours.

I'll write more when I'm in Germany.

...flames to dust....

Platja d'Aro

Platja d'Aro is a popular town on Spain's eastern coast. Although not popular with international tourists, the town's population swells during the summer months as Spaniards (mostly Catalan) come to enjoy the sights and sounds. The water is not as warm as further south, but with plus 30 Celsius temperatures, it offers a welcome relief from the heat.

I spent Friday evening - Sunday morning here. M's family has a summer appartment ten minutes from the beach so we spent most of our time down there. I've never gone on a beachside vacation before so this was a real treat.

A sidewalk tile

Me at the beach - with black sparkly mineral deposits from the sand and salt water

Me at Platja de la Barceloneta

So...here's the deal. Tomorrow I am cooking a Canadian meal for my guest family and members of their extended family. It's going to be a rather large production so I have a lot to get ready for. As a result I can't post much now, but I'll give you a brief overview of my schedule in Spain.

03.07 - Arrived in Barcelona
Saw the Mediterranean for the first time in my life. The sun's last rays were shimmering across the dimpled water. It reminded me of dew on the yellow roses in my Grandpa's garden.

04.07 - Barcelona
Walked along Passeig de Gracia, snapped a few pictures of Caso Batllo and wandered down to Platja de la Barceloneta.

05.07 - Barcelona
Shopping on my own in the grocery store: bought a nectarine from Chile, yellow plum from Andalusia and a red plum from Valencia. Strolled down Av del Portal de l'Angel and La Rambla.
In the evening headed out to the countryside after looking at Sagrada Familia.

06.07 - Montserrat and in Platja d'Aro
In the morning explored the local market and countryside around M's hometown. Met an American and his little daughter who wanted to be my best friend - she took pictures with us and wanted to go exploring together.
Once M got home from work we headed out to Platja d'Aro for a stroll along the beach, some Spanish delicacies and a night on the town. Amazing.

07.07 - Platja d'Aro
Beach. Beach. Beach. Oh, and more beach.
In the evening went boating with M's family. I got to drive. We stopped along a rocky cliff face and went swimming.

08.07 - Cap de Creus and Cadaques
Drove to Spain's easternmost tip, met up with a bunch of M's friends and spent the afternoon in a secluded cove. Besides laying on the beach we went swimming, snorkeling and cliff jumping.
In the evening we stopped for refreshments (and souvenirs) in Cadaques.

09.07 - Barcelona
Took the train back to Barcelona. Exploring and shopping.

10.07 - Barcelona to Vienna
Snapped the last few pictures. Had an hour long delay at the airport but managed to stay far away from the designer boutiques. I paid €3.4o for water though.

I'm back in Vienna

I made it safe and sound (with the exception of a few sunburns). Spain was amazing. Pictures and stories will be posted over the next few days.

In a matter of hours, I head off for a vacation in Spain. You may be thinking "What? She's in Europe and she's taking a vacation from her vacation?" Yes and no.

Italy, Serbia, France, Bosnia, Finland, Morocco, Slovakia - those are only a few of the places the exchange students have visited during the past months. Myself? I went to Germany over Easter. I'd decided in Canada already that I would not do much traveling until the semester was over. Partly because I wanted to really experience Austrian life and partly because I love traveling and know I'd end up not focusing on my studies.

My last European exams have been written and school notes have been packed away. Now the real Europe trip can begin.

**I'm not sure how regularly I'll be posting while I am in Spain - if you don't hear from me during the next week, don't worry. I'm not dead - just sailing on the Mediterranean, strolling through a vineyard or lounging on a beach somewhere. I'll be back soon enough. **