Update

SO THIS IS AWESOME. Sorry I havn't been keeping up well but things have most definitely been hectic here. I had orientation until last Monday when our intensive German classes began. Since then we have been on like nonstop tours of Vienna! I'm not complaining though it has truly been wonderful. As far as location, agh, it's lovely. I am about 15 minutes from the Belvedere Summer Palace where Gustav Klimt's The Kiss hangs! I have been inside the art museum here and it's marble floor to ceiling with breath taking architecture! I sadly cannot upload any pictures yet but you will be subjected to my mediocre picture taking soon enough! I have limited internet at my apartment, so I have to wait to upload them at the IES center where I have access to full internet. Also I saw Manon at the State Opera, and can you believe standing room is 4 euros! it's just incredible! Hopefully I will see Marriage of Figaro tomorrow! The other really neat thing is that IES was invited to a University's ball at the Hofburg Palace!!! So I bought a ball gown today :) The final bit of just surreal news I got today was that I will be studying with former and current members of the Vienna Philharmonic!!! When I heard that this evening my mind was blown! So, needless to say this has been ridiculously wonderful! I mean I'm not settled yet, I do get homesick pretty often and most everyday things just feel super uncomfortable. Grocery shopping and little things like that are challenging, since everything is in German and although most people can help me with their knowledge of english, that's not always the case. It has most definitely been an adventure trying to traverse this pretty old fashioned city, but I have definitely been helped by my neighbor (who works at IES) and by my lovely roommates and so on. It is funny to note that two of roommates are from about 30 min from my home in Mass. ! Anyway my computer is dying so, that's all for now. Hope things are well for all :)

ps I promise to post pictures soon!