Non-IFYE fun (free time)

I spent two weeks traveling between my IFYE requirements in Austria and Greece. Some of the things I did on my free time was return for a visit with my third host family. After that I went to Switzerland. I spent most of my time in Zurich and the town close to it. I went to Zurich to meet up with my friend Lacy. Lacy is staying with her sister's family that lives in Zurich. Lacy is currently helping out with the family that just recently moved there. I got to stay in Zurich for five nights. It was so nice to stay with an American family. I was so happy to spend time with a close friend and do some great sight seeing. One night Lacy and I went on a Ghost Tour in Zurich, it was the most entertaining thing ever. We loved the tour guide, very funny, plus it was nice seeing different parts of the city. After that I took an overnight train from Zurich to Vienna, where I spent 3 days before I flew to Greece on Friday 19 September. I have tons of stories from my three days in Vienna, some you will need to hear from me in person or request by e-mail. I did make a new friend, Maria, who is German and lives in London. I went to an opera, two museums (with one artist being from Boulder CO!), saw The Dark Night (in English), and saw a lot of statues. For as many naps that I took I still feel like I did a lot in Vienna. I have a cold and was trying let my body rest and heal before coming to Greece, it didn't work, I don't think all of the rain has been helping. I am bringing rain to everyone, arrr. The flight from Vienna to Greece on Austrian airlines, I think, was one of my most enjoyable flying experiences. The seats were the biggest I've ever had. and they had I hot food! I like the Canadians that I sat next to, they spoke English, it was great.

List Recap of Austria

Here is a list of extra things I got to do when I was in Austria, a summery of sorts.
I visited two ice caves (one being the worlds largest). Went to Czech Republic for half a day. Attended Donauinsel Fest 2008 (large open air music event, lots of stages), I went hang gliding, attended and worked at the World Plowing Contest. I played around at Ares Elctonica Center in Linz. I visited other family members and saw more areas of Austria. I attended many of festivals in the towns I stayed in. I participated in a 50th birthday (huge b-day party it went all night). I saw and visited some castles, meet several Landjugend members (they all kick ass), attended a garden party hosted by a Landjugend club, went go-cart racing (very different),
I saw different forms of traditional dance, wore traditional clothing, went to dance practice with Landjugend club. I got to know train system, go to know many different towns and cities. I went on a pocket knife tour and made my own, drove a few times (both standard & automatic), meet and spent time with a Canadian family (who doesn’t love relatives that live in another country).
I ate lots of ice cream and sweets, got to have a cat sit on my shoulder. I slept in 11 different places/beds, feed a wild bird, saw the movie Mama-Mia in German in the Theater. I went on a few hikes, saw many glaciers, attended a funeral, attended a priest last service (lots of people attended).
I help make wedding invitations, went bowling (had troubles with the foul line), went to Empire (largest dance club in Austria), and so many other memories and events. I love Austria, and the people. I have many great memories from my time there.