Route du Vin

Bonjour!

Well, I'm back in Salzburg briefly before heading off to Italy. My friend Kathleen and I travelled to France this weekend. We had a holiday on Thursday, so we left that morning by train to Strasbourg, France. It is in the Alsace region, which produces alot of wine. We stayed overnight in Strasbourg, then went to some small towns along the Route du Vin. Here we are in Kaysersberg.
We tasted some white wines in Kienstenheim, ate Alsacian food, and walked through acres and acres of vineyards on the hillside.
Transportation was difficult, and we felt frustrated and stranded at times, but a little prayer and help from kind people got us where we needed to go. The towns were very quaint, and the French culture and atmosphere definitely lived up to my expectations. The weather stayed nice for us, which was such a blessing. And I am so thankful for Kathleen, who speaks German and French very well and could find out anything we needed! It was good to get back into Salzburg, my home-away-from-home.

I hope you're doing well, and I'd love to hear from you!
Liz

Innsbruck

Hi everyone!

Well, I had an amazing weekend. An Austrian friend I met at church, Hanna, invited me to a retreat with the University Student Mission group. They call it a 'house party.' 6 of us went from Salzburg, and we met about 20 people from the Innsbruck group. We took a train from Innsbruck to Mutters, a small town above Innsbruck, and stayed at a retreat center. I met so many awesome people, and everyone was so kind. Some of the students had studied in the US before, so I found friends who were very willing to speak English. But it was also very helpful to be surrounded by German. We had a few guys leading worship and a speaker. Hanna translated for me. The first night we played a game where you either draw, describe, or act out a word, so my team did both German and English, and we won!

I have to say that I think all Austrians were born climbing mountains. Instead of having sport games in the afternoon on Saturday, we climbed a mountain. For like 7 hours. I was exhausted.
Here we are stopping for lunch. We basically climed up a ski slope until we got to a trail.

The view of the valley was incredible. Here I am with Ruth and Kathleen.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to go on this retreat. I was so blessed by the Christian fellowship and had such a unique day of hiking. I learned some German vocab like Hoffnung (hope) and Himmel (heaven) and worshipped the Lord with like-minded believers from a different culture. Yesterday I got a quick tour of Innsbruck. This is Hanna with me on a bridge over the Inn River.

Also, I had a short conversation with my roommate when I got home, so I thank God for answering prayers of having a better relationship with her. We have a national holiday on Thursday, so Kathleen and I are travelling to France to the Route de Vin. I'm excited!

Be blessed,
Liz

Vienna

Hi everyone!

This weekend my study abroad group went to Wien- Vienna! It was a great weekend. Vienna has beautiful architecture, music, and art. We toured the Kunsthistoriches Museum- Art History. Here's a picture of my friend Claire-Marie and me in front of the Museum. I've been blessed to become friends with C-M on this trip, she's so caring and fun to be with. We got to room together this weekend.

Wien was amazing by night, too. The buildings are impressive when lit at night, and under this one domed walkway we listened to a cellist- perfect acoustics and ambience for his music.

I got to stand and watch the Barber of Seville, and opera by Rossini, in the State Operahouse- for only €2! I have to say I'm impressed that the guys who went with me stayed for the whole time. But if I can stand for an Aggie football game, I figured I could stand for an opera in Vienna.

I went to a Picasso exhibit- very interesting although he was preoccupied with sex and his paintings are so far from looking like reality. Let's see, I also went to a Vienna flea-market (just stuff and junk, just like an American flea market), toured the Hapsburg summer home, Schönnbrunn, toured a monastery. I got sick on the way home, but I'm thankful that I got to enjoy my weekend in Vienna. This picture is from a hill near Schönnbrunn, showing how expansive it is.

I guess that's about all for Vienna. I have several presentations to prepare for my classes, like Literature and Austrian culture and International Conflicts Resolution. It's also important for me to be efficient with my studying so that I have time to develop relationships here. Please pray for me to be wise with my time and effective in reaching out to people, like my housefamily, my roommate, people on the trip with me, and international and Austrian students I meet. Also, pray for the Bible Study fellowship that some English-speaking students here are trying to organize. It's always encouraging to hear from y'all. God bless!

Liz

Ice Caves

Hi again!

First of all, thank you for your prayers and notes of encouragement. I am so blessed that you are part of my life! Things are going good here. I've met some wonderful people here on campus and at church, both native Austrians and international students.

Last weekend I went with two friends back to Werfen, where we saw the birds of prey show at the castle, to go into the Ice Caves, Eiriesenwelt. We rode a train through some beautiful valleys, and hiked partway up a mountain and took a cable car partway.
Here's a pic of HohenWerfen from the mountain with the ice caves.

This is Sarah and I at the entrance to the ice caves.

We couldn't take pics inside, but you can see the ice caves at http://www.eisriesenwelt.at/

I also rode my bike along a quaint stream towards the mountains and went to a student Fest. I've gotta go, but this weekend I travel to Vienna, so look for pictures next week!

Love,

Liz

Berchtesgarten

Hi!

This weekend a group of us went to Berchtesgarden, to Eagle's Nest- a teahouse built for Hitler up on a mountain. It had an amazing view of all the mountains around us. We could see Salzburg, even though we were in Germany.

Here's a picture of the group I went with:

This week I started my actual classes. I'm taking Austrian Culture, International Conflicts Resolution, Atrocity and Modernism in Literature, German 102, and Art and Architecture of the Baroque Period. I think they will all be interesting. And I'm so excited that the students are here! I've met several Austrians in the Mensa (cafeteria). Tomorrow we have a Fest, like a party for all the students. I also am taking aerobics on Wednesday nights, so I'll get to meet people in that class.

Please pray for me as I meet Austrians and seek to build Christ-centered relationships. Also, pray that I would continue to walk in the Word and have fellowship with believers at church. Finally, please pray for my relationship with my house family and with my roommate to honor God.

I wish you all were here!
Liz