Hallo!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
It is very weird for me to be here today in Austria, instead of at home... in fact, I think it's one of the first Thanksgivings that I haven't been home for!
In other news, I have been in Austria for an official full week now! And a lot has really happened in the past week. The day after arriving I started orientation at the university. I thought that I wouldn't need orientation, but I sure was prideful, and quickly realized that I really did need it! Also, the best part of a three day orientation was that I met so many international students and have made some very strong friendships!
My classes officially started today, so the whole week I didn't have school for, I spent a lot of time finding entertainment. We (the international students) often went out at night. For example we've gone out for coffee, to an Irish Pub Night, enjoyed a night in the town with all the shops being open late for the "Lange Nacht Der Museen" and went on a trip to see a beautiful Renaissance castle and the Swarofski Kristallwelten, which is a display of millions of crystals incorporated into art somehow. And, we went to Oktoberfest!
Let me tell you about Oktoberfest. It was crazy! Never have I seen a fairground so crowded! It took nearly 1/2 a hour to walk 1/2 a kilometre because of the slow drag of the crowd down the street! There were people EVERYWHERE in the city! And everyone was dressed in traditional Austrian/Bavarian clothing, like "Lederhosen" (men's leather shorts) and dirndls (female dresses). I enjoyed experiencing a whole new event, but I probably wouldn't go again... I don't even like beer! :) Whoops, did I just say that out loud? That is a blow to both my Canadian and Austrian citizenships!
Yesterday, on Sunday, I went to church here in Innsbruck! I tried a new church, and it was so good! It is called the Baptiste Gemeinde Innsbruck, so it is a Baptist Church, but more importantly than the denomination, it has a very loving and friendly church family! The music was good, and what I got of the sermon was also very good. Next time I'll try even harder to get some main points out of what they're preaching. I met many people, and even got invited to lunch after church. I do think that I'll make some connections here at this church, and God will provide.

Now that school is in full swing, I unfortunately won't have as many opportunities to do fun things, but then, I AM here for school. I am also looking forward to my Social Work courses and the learning that I can do in a field I am truly interested in!

I hope that everyone has a good Thanksgiving, and is taking the time to really thank God for what he has provided in our lives.
Love and miss you all!
Christi

                     

                                                     Innsbruck, from the river 'Inn'~

                                                                  Downtown Innsbruck

                                             

                                             Rafal and Zosia, my two dear Polish friends! :)

                     Oktoberfest, the only place people wait 3 hours to get into the beer gardens!