Stuff Naeem likes #29: Bier

I think that Europeans must hate Segways more than Americans hate actually walking. I mean for a culture that focuses on walking and bicycling so much, alternative transportation means travelling by car. This is a good thing, of course, especially since I have yet to meet a portly Austrian. So, doing as the locals do, we walked as far as our untested american feet would take us on Sunday. 

First we explored the area around the sommerhaus and found some scenic trails (of course everything is scenic when you've never seen-it before). Along the way we also stumbled upon a little local biergarten just minutes from the school. It was closed on Sunday (shocker), but we vowed to return the next day. 

Later that afternoon we went to the city and walked some more. We strolled along the cobblestone streets between the ancient buildings and their modern counterparts. Although every European city has a similar scheme- main square, really old churches, castle on the hill, disco that plays odd mix of 80's music and techno- Linz is nice because of the effort that the city has put in to revitalize itself. You can tell that the little city is trying to become a destination instead of a day trip. 

We made it up to some of the higher points and enjoyed the view of the Danube river for a while before going back to the Hauptplatz to search for some Döner Kebabs. (We found some for 3€ and promptly devoured them)

Today we had our day of class from about 9:00 to 14:00 (Don't know military time? Deal with it like we have to). It was interesting, but a little bit of a reality shock because up till now I was convinced that this was a vacation. Oh well, nothing in life is free, apparently not even a month long visit to Europe. 

After class we returned to the biergarten as promised and got a few odd looks as we ordered our glass of sweet, sweet liquid bread. It seemed to be a watering hole for the locals- and tourists were perhaps not so common. Aside from the initial raised eyebrows, we were treated warmly and enjoyed our drinks outside, trying as hard as possible to read for the following day's class. 

Later we went into the city in search of cheaper Kebabs (don't judge me, they're good), and walked to some different parts. I was surprised at the large amount of people walking the streets on a Monday night. Plenty of young people were out as well. Linz seems like a very safe place and so far we have found things to keep us entertained as long as we look. 

Here's to finding more everyday I'm here. Prost. 

Jared, Ryan, and I on a Sunday walk

Sunday part 2

Me, Jared, and Becca after class at the local biergarten :)

Biergarten enjoyment FAIL :(

Steven, Rebecca, and I walking Linz in the evening. 

Hey did I mention I was going to Europe? Cuz I'm in Linz

After several hours of international travel through 6 time zones and two servings of barely edible airplane food I arrived in Munich with a few classmates in tow. As luck would have it, Vishak, Becca, and Emmanuel were also on the Delta flight from Atlanta to Munich with me. 


During exam season I really didn't have time to anticipate this trip like I should have. I don't mean that I didn't prepare, because in fact I am ready for any situation over here, but rather it just didn't hit me that I will be gone for an entire month. I was sure that I would never be able to travel anywhere again for this amount of time. 


We arrived in Munich at around 8:00 local time and promptly bought train tickets to Linz. From the airport, its about a 45 minute subway ride to the main train station. When we got to the Munich Hauptbahnhof we had some time to kill before the train to Linz chugged out of town so we walked a short distance from the station to a small Italian restaurant for some breakfast... or was it dinner or lunch according to our internal biological clocks? 


By this time we were tired from exams, tired from staying up the night before we left, and tired from the plane ride... but getting onto the speed train was a welcome distraction. 


The train pulled into Linz Hauptbanhof and we barely made if off onto the platform before the doors shut us in. Tip: before the train stops at a station, make sure that you have your bags ready to depart... almost getting locked into the train and forced to ride to the next stop 100 miles away is not an attractive prospect. 


We took a taxi to the raab-heim and got our rooms. Shortly thereafter it was tour time of the city via bus. (In case you haven't been keeping count at home, I have now been awake for over 48 hours.) The city is absolutely gorgeous. (Of course because of my U.S. toned sensibilities any old castle on a hill over looking a river is stunning.) 


After the tour we had dinner. The restaurant was nice, and the cuisine was interesting. It was basically a plate of meat with a few starches here and there. Also plenty of pilsner to wash it down. 


Afterwards everyone went out to a bar in the Linz main square called Bugs (something to do w/ a bunny). So, now I'm back in my room, stubbornly tapping keys to get this posted. Until next time, Tschüs!

The view from the room

The room

A few of us in the town square

Some of the views

Dinner talk

I should be packing

Of the many times that my favorite camping backpack has joined me for a journey to an exotic destination, not once did it contain a carefully folded business suit. There is a first time for everything. 

At first I chose to study abroad this summer simply because I missed the opportunity so many times before. There was nothing that ever held me back (of course the luxury of retrospect allows me to realize this 5 years later), but I never took advantage of my contacts, friends, or resources like I should have. Along with my decision to go to law school I also resolved to challenge myself like I never have. So, now I'm glad I did it because this is certainly a way to test myself like never before. 
   1L life is history... on to the next challenge...Pack a suit in a backpack along with everything else I need for a month abroad. 

Stay tuned for more over the next few weeks (I promise slightly more than backpack-packing puzzle challenges... )