Balance and Routine.

Slowing down. That was the idea upon my arrival in Vienna, and that has been the case. I am settling in and actually 'living' in a city for a while. Its good, my eating habits need some routine, and vegetables.


At first I was feeling the rush of doing all the tourist sites and trying all the 'Viennese' things one after another. BUT, I quickly realized I have 4 more months, and there is no need to have such an excessive amount of schnitzel in the first week. So, taking things slow, I am letting myself get into a routine of normal foods, and less Italian food. The bread-pasta-pizza days were not agreeing with my pant size. 

Tourist duties with Meghan at Schönbrunn Palace 

Besides stepping away from the excessive eating, I have also slowed down with the fast-paced tourist duties, and moved into school mode. Well, starting to move into school mode, that will take a bit more time. After spending an entire 3 days trying to master BOKU's (Universität für Bodenkultur) online class registration system, I am enrolled in a lengthy list of electives that I will start slowly as the semester moves on. You wouldn't think so, but I am actually very excited for the classes I have chosen. Keeping in mind that I am attending a university specializing in Natural Resources and Life Sciences, I am taking everything from (Eco-) Tourism & Management of Protected Areas and Principles of Winemaking, to the Safety and Quality of Organic Foods. 
Yes- some food classes! Not only to support my blog, but also because they will not let me take these classes back in Guelph. I find them very interesting!


If you are unsure so far, I am attending Vienna's University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, or Universität für Bodenkultur. My buddy (helps me register etc) just told me that translated, this means I am going to the School of Ground. Ground, as in dirt or soil. Strange.


Other than school duties in the last week or so, I have had the privilege to meet up with some fellow LA-er's and Guelph students who are also studying here, and even who are studying elsewhere and visiting. (Shout out to Paris! :P) Always nice to see a familiar face in my days out here. And makes it much easier when trying to sort of a new metro system.

Meghan, visiting from Paris! Myself and Michelle, both studying here in Vienna :)

Mapping out a route.. 

A quick run-down of the metro systems I have been forced into from early mornings to late nights with no sleep and 40lbs strapped to my back.

Metro systems:


Paris = confusing for no reason. Could also have to do with that it was my first city, but there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason in this at all, it is just crazy and unorganized.
Madrid = Like I once mentioned before, second largest metro system in Europe and it is absolutely fantastic. So organized, clean and easy to use. All essentials in my books. 
Barcelona = Easy to use. Spanish was easy to catch on to and the metro could take you everywhere with minimal walking. Besides hiking up to Parc Guell, but that was expected.
Florence = You can walk. Its small. I don't even know if there is a metro system?
Vienna = Ahh the U-bahn. Best metro and best public transportation all around that I have used so far. However, not very well regulated, in my opinion. This may have to do with that I have been forced to use it everyday since my arrival, but I think it is the greatest thing.


In conclusion, Vienna is the best thus far. Thank goodness for that, with me living here and all. My first steps in Vienna were tripping off a night train from Rome, on maybe 1 hour of sleep, at 9 in the morning. With a one-track mind, I was focussed on getting my keys, and getting to my new home for the next 4 months. 
Unfortunately, picking up my keys involved trekking across the city to the housing office, and trekking way BACK across the city to my residence building. Not really the best situation on no sleep, and while dragging a soaking wet bag (Thanks easyJet). However, given the previous days unfortunate events, Vienna did nothing but support me with a fantastic metro system, making my first ride through the city an easy one.


Now you all must be curious about what my 'normal' and 'routine' food is? I am sure some of you instantly thought toast, cheese and yogurt. Not some.. probably a lot of you, and you are not completely wrong, but not completely right either.  Yes- I have returned to some previous habits of toast, cheese and yogurt, but with a growing appreciation for food, I am trying to balance. 'Trying' is the key word here. 


Summed up, I have replaced toast for breakfast every single morning with a dried fruit muesli combo, with which I have some form of fresh fruit and yogurt, as well as tea. (NOT coffee!!) Big step right there.
As for lunches, I still eat toast, with the occasional dollop of Nutella, but I have also been eating boiled eggs, carrots and other fresh fruits and vegetables.. impressed or what?
Dinner, well I am still working with dinner.. but I can honestly say that I have been cooking, and decent meals at that. Only had pasta twice in the last 10 days. :P Trying to lay off that stuff!


Some of my breakfasts! A little less exciting than the pizza's I know... 

There is muesli underneath!

For those of you at home, and any roommates or good friends of mine, well you know the way I eat. This is an improvement! It is not rare lately that I have a day without coffee, as opposed to the minimum two cups a day I was pulling back in Guelph. 
I am happy to say that through this blog, I am starting to see results. They may be small changes, but I am seeing them. Learning a whole new take on food, I even found myself browsing the 'cookbook' section at the international bookstore. THAT is a change.


Don't go thinking now that I have only had muesli and fruit since my arrival, I will come back next time to tell you ALL about some fantastic (and some not so fantastic) Viennese dishes. They just aren't like Italian meals that you want to inhale.. but you will see. :P


Ciao! From the comforts of a 'flat',
shannon xx