So, I have been back in the US for nine days. I honestly haven't had much time to really think about my Osterreich semester or even share it with my family and friends, since i have been at work almost every waking moment.
Today I went to K-mart. From the moment pulled into the parking lot, I got major I-miss-Europa pains. Let me explain:
1. I was driving (my new van, by the way). I was driving. No walking 30 minutes to a train station, no waiting for trains, no bus, no tickets. Just me behind the wheel.
2. It was a gigantic parking lot. It struck me that i don't remember ever seeing a parking lot of considerable size except a coupls somwhat small ones in Ireland.
3. Fat people. I know that sounds horrible. But it is true. Supposedly Osterreich is one of the heaviest countries in Europe, but I still don't remember seeing that many overweight people.
4. Annoying intercom systems.
5. People sprechend Englisch.
6. Signs in English. Loud signs, big signs, bright signs. Advertisement overkill.
7. The toy aisle was scary. I am afraid of what little boys are playing with these days in America - where are the innocent playmobiles and blocks and books that they had in the Gaming toy store? Oh, and Barbie dolls and an overabundance of pink in the little girl aisle.
8. It is HUGE! Everything is big. And there is so much of everything on the shelvee. I felt lost in it.
9. Messy. Messy shelves, half-opened packages, messy floors, disorganization.
I know, I am kind of being ridiculous, I was only in Europe 4 months. I have been in America for 20 years. I shouldn't have been that shocked. But, it really was just really weird.
Some other things that have shocked me/I miss about Austria/reasons I am glad to be back in America:
Wind. I forgot about Oklahoma wind. I only remember there being any kind of wind once, and that was on top of book mountain the night we climbed it in the wee hours just before flying home.
American currency. The first time I checked somebody out at work, I didn't even think about it. And then the next person I checked out asked for change for a five, and I automatically started digging in the change...and then I realized that I was back in America, where there are 1 dollar bills!
The roads are really wide. And, yes, Katie Hess: YELLOW LINES!
Cowboys. Men that dress like men, alleluia. I was getting really tired of the men of my own generation in Europe who all dressed like girls.
Pick-up trucks. I saw exactly one in all of Europe. I am glad to see dirty farm trucks with rubber boots and tool boxes in the back.
American cheeses don't count as cheese.
11x14 paper.
Still get a little jumbled when I say excuse me: pardon moi, scuzzi, and entschuldigen all try to come out.
Lack of acoustics. I miss high ceilings. I miss being able to hear myself sing. I miss being able to play my violin in a room that resonated. It sounds so much worse in carpeted rooms.
I miss the little Austrian roadside shrines.
Semmels. Do I miss them?
I had nuttella without Caitlin and Liz. It almost seemed wrong to eat it without them.
My Austrian bed. Feather pillow, duvet.
I feel like I have just woken up from a dream. A really sweet dream. And now I am back to reality. Things look strange, yet strangely familiar.
Honestly, I am a little frustrated at a) my utter inability to convey my experience to people interested in hearing about it, and b) people being rather disinterested. I mean, everyone seems interested at first, and demands that i tell them all about Austria, but soon they change the subject. I understand that they get bored, and I am not a good story teller anyway, but still, I want to share.
I am really really glad to be home again, home home, home in Ameria. I missed my family a whole lot while I was there. There was far too much growing up and changing without my seeing it.
My semester in Austria is continuing to unfold, and i realize now that I will continue to reap the benefits for years to come. Although, no doubt, my family and friends are going to be real sick and tired of hearing me say "Oh, I was there." and starting every other sentence with "In Austria.....".
Monday, December 22, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Beware the Krampus!
The full cultural experience. Advent in Gaming. Our entire quiet, sleepy Kartause has been transformed today. Every nook and cranny is filled with booths of local Austrians selling their wine, bread, cheese, honey, pottery, glass-work, wood-work, candles, flowers, ornaments, needle-work, art, and crafts of every kind. They have taken over our class-rooms and court yard. They will be here until right before we leave.
The highlight of the day, however, was just after dark. The courtyard filled with expectant people, me included. The Krampuses are coming.
I had been warned about the Krampuses. Fr. Seraphim showed us a video he made about them the other day in history class. So I had worked up some excitement.
I was not to be disappointed. They puffed smoke into the courtyard. Creepy music began. They knocked at the courtyard gate. They busted through the gate and spilled into the courtyard to the most epic music ever, if not exactly what I would have picked: theme music from Chariots of Fire. I was dying laughing.
No one that speaks English can tell me exactly what the Krampus is. They have been around since ancient times, of that much is certain (and by the smell of them, the costumes, made of real fur, are aparently originals) Apparently a Krampus is some kind of evil spirit that whips the people and eats the bad kids just before Santa Klaus comes. That way, I guess, Santa doesn't have to bother with making a list. Saves him some trouble with procuring the lumps of coal, too, I guess.
They are hideous to look at. A real feast for the eyes.
Tolkien might have had this in mind when he first started writing about orcs
Why is the baby not screaming in terror? A few children did get afraid, but most Austrian children just don't have a healthy amount of fear. American kids cry when they see the Easter bunny. But this ain't no Easter bunny.
This one demonstrating his whipping procedure. He had a horsetail and he wasn't afraid to use it. He was the one who got me three times. And by 'got' I mean singled me out in the crowd, and chased me down with steady assuredness. No amount of hinding behind guys or slipping through the crowd helps. You think you've lost him and then suddenly you feel his furry grip with the bear-like claws and he drags you away like an ogre. They have this really good tactic of completely enveloping you in this big bear hug, lifting you off the groud so you don't know which way is up and your autonomic nervous system begins to kick in. You dare not scream because that only gets you a mouth full of the beast's hair, which is probably from some yak 50 years since eaten. So you laugh. There is nothing else to do and everyone else is laughing at you. You laugh until you are let go and then you run, during which you are picked up by another Krampus.
The highlight of the day, however, was just after dark. The courtyard filled with expectant people, me included. The Krampuses are coming.
I had been warned about the Krampuses. Fr. Seraphim showed us a video he made about them the other day in history class. So I had worked up some excitement.
I was not to be disappointed. They puffed smoke into the courtyard. Creepy music began. They knocked at the courtyard gate. They busted through the gate and spilled into the courtyard to the most epic music ever, if not exactly what I would have picked: theme music from Chariots of Fire. I was dying laughing.
No one that speaks English can tell me exactly what the Krampus is. They have been around since ancient times, of that much is certain (and by the smell of them, the costumes, made of real fur, are aparently originals) Apparently a Krampus is some kind of evil spirit that whips the people and eats the bad kids just before Santa Klaus comes. That way, I guess, Santa doesn't have to bother with making a list. Saves him some trouble with procuring the lumps of coal, too, I guess.
They are hideous to look at. A real feast for the eyes.
Tolkien might have had this in mind when he first started writing about orcs 
Why is the baby not screaming in terror? A few children did get afraid, but most Austrian children just don't have a healthy amount of fear. American kids cry when they see the Easter bunny. But this ain't no Easter bunny.
This one demonstrating his whipping procedure. He had a horsetail and he wasn't afraid to use it. He was the one who got me three times. And by 'got' I mean singled me out in the crowd, and chased me down with steady assuredness. No amount of hinding behind guys or slipping through the crowd helps. You think you've lost him and then suddenly you feel his furry grip with the bear-like claws and he drags you away like an ogre. They have this really good tactic of completely enveloping you in this big bear hug, lifting you off the groud so you don't know which way is up and your autonomic nervous system begins to kick in. You dare not scream because that only gets you a mouth full of the beast's hair, which is probably from some yak 50 years since eaten. So you laugh. There is nothing else to do and everyone else is laughing at you. You laugh until you are let go and then you run, during which you are picked up by another Krampus. I have to admit, it must be enormously fun to be a Krampus.
Caitlin getting mauled 
This was the only one who wasn't terrifying. Kinda cute in fact. And he had no arms to beat you with or pick you up with.
Three smiling faces: conceals the slight terror that is gripping our hearts. Everyone else is smiling, so it must be okay. We keep smiling till we turn around, and then we gulp hard.
They are completely silent, as in no roaring, except for all these massive cow bells and gourds filled with beans to make noise-makers. It is actually a slightly creepier effect.
At the end, someone lights a torch and they all congregate in the middle of the courtyard, after about 15 minutes of harrassing the crowd. They all settle down and kneel down and remove their masks. And the show is over. What exactly the last part means....speculation on the part of Fr. Seraphim that it is the light of Christ?? Would research it, but they just don't have that kind of information readily available, or Fr. Seraphim would have found it out.
Christy tried on a sweaty smelly Krampus mask
This is what happened to the bad little girl
Caitlin getting mauled 
This was the only one who wasn't terrifying. Kinda cute in fact. And he had no arms to beat you with or pick you up with.
Three smiling faces: conceals the slight terror that is gripping our hearts. Everyone else is smiling, so it must be okay. We keep smiling till we turn around, and then we gulp hard.
They are completely silent, as in no roaring, except for all these massive cow bells and gourds filled with beans to make noise-makers. It is actually a slightly creepier effect.
At the end, someone lights a torch and they all congregate in the middle of the courtyard, after about 15 minutes of harrassing the crowd. They all settle down and kneel down and remove their masks. And the show is over. What exactly the last part means....speculation on the part of Fr. Seraphim that it is the light of Christ?? Would research it, but they just don't have that kind of information readily available, or Fr. Seraphim would have found it out.
Christy tried on a sweaty smelly Krampus mask
This is what happened to the bad little girl Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Book Mountain
This snow-ball fight got a little out of hand
Pfarrkirche Gaming
How green is my valley
Laura and Brendan
Caitlin, Rob, Paul, Jon
JP
Paul, Rob, and Jon having an 'epic' moment
That is my home down there. I can see my bedroom window.
Liz taking it all in
Check out the aquaduct
Caitlin having one of those moments....
I am really happy
Diana left snow-angels like Gretl leaving breadcrumbs
Laura, Liz and Brendan take a little break.
Whiskey to warm the heart. And because it is cool.
Diana signing the Book Mountian Book. Look for my signature on November 23rd, 2008, if you ever go there.
That is a cell phone tower. Now zoom in to the top. That is two boys near the top. I started climbing and got about 1/3 of the way up, and I had enough of the view that I wanted. It doesn't look so bad, but then you get up there and realize it is icy and the wind is blowing like the dickens because it is completely unprotected, and I realized the only joy I would get from this is the ability to say that I could do it, which is not exactly worth it to me.
At the top of every peak, there is Cross.
Somewhere up there are Jon and Rob.
sliding down is always more fun than climbing up 
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