1st Week

I haven't been in Vienna for too long and I already know I will love this place greatly. The old and antique that surrounds you is captivating. You cant help but feel that you have stepped into a painting were you can hardly believe the reality in front of you. Yesterday we took our first city tour in the 1st district of Vienna which is labeled the center locale of the city. It is stunning. Here you can find antique churches on every street turn but it was the Jesuit church that was designed and developed in 16th century that took my breath away. If the height of the ceiling wasn't enough to impress you, the paintings that cover them, surely will. The church is covered in the most intricate stain glass decorations and then the walls are decorated with marble columns that are indescribable. I have never been surrounded by so much beauty in one place. It is so neat to take tours around the city and hear all the old stories and myths of the development of the city. It is hard to imagine that this city can be far over 200 years old. The history here is seen on every building and square and it makes you feel obselete to be an American and think that our nation is only a child.

I always knew I had wanted to study abroad and spend time around the world, but Europe was never on my list of places that I must visit in my lifetime. I never had a huge desire to learn European history and I felt American history was always the best class to take. Now, with being here for only 6 days I totally understand the attraction to Europe. There is so much history that you can read in textbooks and not really appreciate the age and authentcity of the stories. But to be here and see the history in the streets and buildings, it is amazing. Europe has taken a whole new meaning for me and I am so happy that I have chosen to study here in this city of music! I cant wait to experience all that there is to find in this antique city.