The first two weeks in Austria have been packed with all sorts adventures. We obtained cell phones and internet to stay connected to the world and then headed off to the mountains where neither would work. Matthias' friends graciously invited two naive Americans along for ahike in the Alps. We gathered on Saturday to grill out and relax on Traunsee, a lake sandwhiched between picuresque mountains. Standing 3,750 ft. above us was Erlakogel, also know as "the sleeping greek." The mountain peak was our challenge for the following morning.
We awoke to the crowing rooster, strapped up our laces and marched ahead. Neither Angela nor I knew what was in store for us. In America, elevators and escalators make the art of climbing unnecessary. Here in Austria, it's inherited at birth. The Austrians passed us by as we struggled for 3 hours up the mountainside before reaching thepeak high above Traunsee. We were rewarded with a delicious lunch and a spectacular view. It took over 2 hours of knee crunching hiking to get back to Ebensee. The hike pushed us to our limits but was a fun and rewarding experience and a perfect way to begin our stay in Austria.
I spent the following week in Graz for orientation while Angela settled into the apartment in Pöchlarn. The orientation was a great opportunity to meet the other teaching assistants and learn more about teaching. We capped the week off with teaching a lesson at a local school in Graz. I felt much better heading back to Pöchlarn and getting ready for my first day of teaching.
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