Dear Salzburg....

We need to have a talk.

1.) I think your bus drivers are either stressed or need a brush-up on their driving skills. Every bus today has run a curb..I've seen it happen even on buses I wasn't on. Needless to say its very uncomfortable, and I really don't like getting thrown around. While we are on the subject, yes, you do in fact have brakes on your bus, and no, you do not need to consistently use them.

2.) I realize you are a little more relaxed than the Germans, but please, can you put some clocks up somewhere? I love wearing a watch and all, but sometimes its just nice to have a clock.

3.) While we are on the subject of the Germans, I realize that you take after them in your necessity to keep things clean. This is completely fine with me, but please just realize that right now we are at below freezing temperatures, and even though the streets are nice and clean, when you put a layer of water of them in these temperatures, it makes Amy VERY unhappy! Are you trying to kill me or what?!

4.) To the men of the Red Cross (and my doctors): I know I have a boyfriend, but if any of you are feeling the need to marry (or go on a date), I am ready and willing! On a side note...Dear Salzburg, please keep icing the streets-maybe in another "Unfall" I can meet one of these men :)

5.) My final opinion of today...Dear Salzburg people and Europeans in general...look around you...ok, now take about two steps back. Now you are within an acceptable distance. I really don't my backpack being touched, let alone someone up my butt constantly. I have a bubble! (and a boyfriend) ;)

Thank you for listening. Love, Amy.

Alcohol on Campus

Hopefully I can expand on this idea later, but it was something that really stood out to me today. I actually think this is a cool idea. When I studied abroad last year in Heidelberg, it surprised all of us that there was beer served in the student cafeteria. You can find the same here in our cafeteria. There are also coffee machines (like vending machines) on every floor, in almost every hallway where you can buy a nice "spiked" coffee as well. And of course today, students were having a fundraiser (to travel to the US!), but they were selling Gluhwein (a warm-spiced wine) to earn money. I really wish US schools, and US as a whole wasn't so strict about alcohol rules. I feel like the more you try to restrict people, the more they will try to act out and resist. Students here don't go all out crazy...they just have a beer to have a beer. Construction workers here have a beer as part of their lunch. It's just nice to have the freedom of drinking what you want, where you want (respectably).

Christmas is officially here

For those of you that don't know, mainly Germany and Austria have these Christmas markets that open halfway through November, and stay open until Christmas Day. I've heard you mainly buy decorations from the markets, but they also sell this lovely thing called Gluhwein (a hot spiced wine) and punsch. Anyways, these people are SERIOUS about their Christmas. Lights and Christmas trees are up, Christmas items are on the shelves, and everyone is just in that spirit. Here's a few photos taken over the last few weeks:

I was sitting at the bus stop and I was watching these cranes raise and lower, and raise and lower, and well you know...until I realized they were putting up Christmas lights! So my question is, how many people does it take to put lights on this tree? About 10. Look closely and you may be able to see the photographers in the boxes with the people putting up lights. Wow.



Here they are at it again with the lights...I was trying to study for a test. I wonder if the people in those houses have to sign an agreement with the city when they move in-its been super cold out and they have to leave their windows open for these guys. This was directly outside my window!



After all the time I spent trying to catch the lights on-they are really nice!





Here are some photos from last night...the markets open tonight! :

To the left of these lights is where the market is...sorry you can't see it! Below the lights is a temporary ice rink :)



Here is the ice rink:



The Krampus posters:



And finally a view of my street:



And that my friends is my life. I hope you enjoyed the pictures! <3

It's getting to be that time!

No, by popular belief, I have NOT forgotten about this blog...it's just so dang hard to keep up with, with the amount of homework we get! Maybe after midterms? Anyways..I'm cutting into precious homework time here.
The Christmas lights are going up here in town. I can't wait till they light them all up! Oh, and in less than the month the parades start. What do I mean by parades? Krampus parades. And for those of you that have never heard of these, they are scary: (this link isn't of the actual parade, but you can see what they look like) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBt0pVkcVt4
Why are they scary? Notice the whips-they DO whip you. And I've seen really nasty bruises they can leave. I was told to stay in and watch from my window. (Who knows, maybe I'll get adventurous). It's all supposed to be in fun and game. Either way, can't wait to see it!
Christmas markets begin here in 4 days!!! Gluhwein....ahhh can't wait!
Midterms are next week....booo. Will definitely need the Gluhwein to keep me sedated. lol
Oh and even more awesome, all my visitors will be here soon! Libby in 35ish days, Aaron in 40ish days, and April and her friend in 45ish days. =]

And on another note, I found a grocery store that charges a third of the price for the groceries I would get next door. Its a little farther away, but so much worth it. And they have a larger selection of foods. Oh, and its next to a DRIVE-THRU MCDONALDS. I've never seen a drive-thru anything in Europe. And they have free refills. Very exciting! There is also a place to go tanning across the street which I need to check out, and a few stores nearby that looked cool...if only I can find the time.

I can't wait to get some Christmas shopping done. It's going to be an expensive year-I can tell already lol

I'll try to update you all more soon. Stay tuned.