I used to say that I travel in between going to class, but now I feel like I go to class in between traveling. I still love being in Innsbruck. My life in Innsbruck flows like the Inn River through the city...it's moving so fast. The river continues to gain speed as the snow continues to melt.
Everyday I stop to think about how lucky I am that I can call Innsbruck my home. Innsbruck is such a wonderful little city....so beautiful to walk next to the bright colored buildings, to see snow capped mountains around every corner, and to have the Golden Roof as the meeting place before venturing anywhere in Innsbruck. I wish I had more time to just BE in Innsbruck. Every day I walk outside, I smile- I'm not letting one day slip by without appreciating my life abroad in Austria.
Familiar faces are everywhere- grocery shopping, at the mall, in the park... I run into my friend Johanna (Austria) so many times on the street. It gives us an opportunity to plan our next get together. When doing laundry at BubblePoint, I always see my friend Sanne (Netherlands) or Ray (Ireland). I first met Ray while doing laundry. He saw me struggling with the German instructions and taught me how to use a BubblePoint card. Ray is from Ireland, but working in Innsbruck. I told him about my cousin living in Ireland and my upcoming plans to visit her. Ray is also a bartender at my favorite bar in Innsbruck- Galway Bay...
There are so many wonderful cafes in Innsbruck. Cafe Central, Cafe Sacher, Cafe 360... just to name a few.
My favorite, hands down, is Cafe 360. Coffee or wine.. this bar offers the most beautiful 360 degree view from both inside and outside on the terrace. Dream-like drapes, storybook city-scape, picture perfect mountains, and great company. No matter where I sit, I have the constant reminder that I am in the middle of the Austrian Alps :) This is definitely the cafe that I will think about when I'm back in the states and close my eyes, wishing to be back in Innsbruck.
I usually don't go "out" often at home. I have to focus on school and work... I'm also not one for dressing up and fitting into that whole bar/club scene. However, in Innsbruck...everything is in walking distance, most places are extremely casual, and there's great live music. I also feel completely safe walking back to my dorm into the late hours...not exactly how I feel at home.
Sixty Twenty is a bar just below MCI. 6020 is Innsbruck's area code. We celebrated St. Patrick's Day here...and it's a convenient hang out after class...
In the old city, there's Mustache and La Copa Cabana. In Mustache, there are couches to lounge on and Süß Gespritzter (sweet spritzer). La Copa Cabana gives us the option of hanging out in either La Copa or Cabana, sing Karaoke- or just listen :)
I only went to this bar called Weekender once- and I LOVED it!.. A full live band performed songs in German...then the lights went out and the dancing began. So many laughs and memories from that night...
We had one last night at the Igloo Bar before the snow melted for the summer. Only EUR 7 to rise above the Innsbruck glow...Hot wine in hand and ready for some fun in an igloo!
The Erasmus/Exchange group enjoyed an afternoon of mini golfing... Not the most decorative mini golf course, compared to the themed courses in Orlando, FL... but then again it's not necessary when you have this kind of scenery :) 
It started to get really cold outside so a group of us decided to warm up over an Italian buffet in the Old City at Pizzeria Romantica. Unlimited pasta and pizza- needless to say, we frequent this place often.
I went to two Bad Taste parties at Stadtsale....I really did not want to go to the first one. I had class the next day... I was already in my pajamas.... and I was tired. Thomas (France) had his friend visiting from Reims. They came over before the party, demanded that I go out since I had not been in awhile. Then with both on one knee, they forced my sneakers(baskets) onto my feet....how could I say no now? Well, I'm glad I went.The music was tacky, the clothes were horrendous, and the people were ridiculous....
A month or so later, I went back to Stadtsale with the girls, Sanne (Netherlands), Noora and Kaisa (Finland). We had so much fun dancing to the German music. Moments like these I realize I'm not in USA anymore- and I'm having a blast!
In the Finnish spirit, Anssi, Juuso, and Kaisa pressured me into trying Salmiakki Fazer. It's a popular "candy." Candy is the last word that I would use to describe it- it's a small, black licorice flavored, salty, hard gummy... but speaking of gummy- I am addicted to Haribo. Haribo has always been one of my favorite gummy brands, but in Austria- there are so many different types of gummies. I eat them in between classes and they are also great travel snacks for me on the trains. My favorite Haribo products are the Star Mix and the Fried Eggs... yes, gummies that look like little fried eggs...Unfortunately, the Haribo Gummy Factory in Germany does not offer tours to the public. On every bag of gummies it says...
"Macht Kinder Froh Und Erwachsene Ebenso"...meaning, makes children and also adults happy :)
My classes are going really well. I am continuing to enjoy the various projects and opportunities to work with my friends and instructors from around the globe. My friend Serena(Italy) and I noticed the similarities between Sicily and Florida... We discussed this when we met months ago and later found it funny that it was a topic in one of our classes. This video talks about time; how people and cultures use it...past, present, future... for example- the closer you are to the equator, the more relaxed and inclined you are to focus on the present... it's interesting to think about...
Stay tuned for so much more... Sorrento, Pompeii, Ercolano, Capri, Amalfi, Positano, Roma, Salzburg and Dachau, Ireland, Vienna, Family visit, a Mediterranean cruise, an unforgettable week in Savona, and last days in Innsbruck :D
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