My goodbye to Germany and Austria

Sunday, Oktober 12, 2008. My last day in Vienna.

Mer and I got up and exchanged names with our new hostel friends. Then we packed up and headed out. We went to this MANSION. I can only equate it with the Biltmore house, but even that comparison doesn't suffice. This house made the Builtmore house look like a SHACK. It was huge and had stunning gardens! We walked around there for a while, saw the fountain in the back and just explored there. We had to head back to the hostel so that I could get my stuff and get the 8 hour train back to Venice.

Mer and I parted ways at the Westbahnhof and I was a mess. It took all of my strength to keep it together on the tram that took me to Sudbanhof from where my train was leaving. I got to the station in time to grab a quick snack and hop on. I was in a compartment with 2 women from Georgia. I am not sure what language they were speaking, but apparently my humor about also being from Georgia was lost in translation. We attempted to communicate, but they knew ZERO English words, and I don't even KNOW what language they spoke, so I clearly couldn't talk to them.

About five and a half hours in is where the train ride gets interesting. I had napped, read, watched Desperate Housewives on my iPod until it was dead, and was now looking out the window when Adraino joined our compartment. Adriano is about 35 years old and Italian. I love talking to Italians and practicing, so we start chatting away. His questions to me are a little different than mine to him. For example, I ask him where he is from, what he was doing on his trip, how he likes Italy. He asks me if I am married, how old I am, and if I like Italian men. Hmmm....

At one point, these two Georgian women, Adriano, and I were discussing the politics of the US, but all three speaking different languages... haha. Just imagine. I, as a general rule, don't discuss politics, but this conversation was like no other!!

So we chat for a while until he is about to get off when he leans in close to me and asks if I would get off with him so that he could kiss me. WHAT?!?!? I am sorry, how did we go from discussing Italy and politics to him wanting me to get off the train with him?!?! I spent the next 20 minutes trying to justify to a man whom I JUST met why I didn't feel comfortable getting off the train with him so he could kiss me. He got a little upset, and I was a little scared, especially becuase the two women next to me didn't understand ANYTHING and could therefore be of NO assistance. He got off, though, and I just said CIAO and went back to my book. I HATED the book I was reading, but I was so thankful to be able to escape from this man's craziness.

I got back to Venice safely, hopped on the Vaparetto, and got back home! I uploaded my pictures, skyped with the fam (and Mer!), and went to sleep.

Final thoughts about my trip: I was so nervous about this trip. I had to plan everything for myself and was even traveling by myself for much of it. And yet, I LOVED EVERY minute! I was sceptical about Germany, but am now IN LOVE with it! I find myself back in Italy and thinking of all the new German phrases I have learned. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Germany. Austria was BEAUTIFUL, and getting to travel with Meredith was beyond amazing. I felt so independant on this trip. Being with Mer, though, made me miss home a little, just because that is something that we have in common. Also, being able to hang out with someone that I actually KNOW (better than 2 months worth..) was just so nice. We had some amazing chats and I am SO thankful that I got to travel with her! What an AMAZING 10 days!
Miss you all.
SOOO MUCH LOVE!
xoxo

PS- Daddy and Tracy are on their way here to Italy RIGHT NOW!!!! I cannot wait to see them this weekend!!!!