UNIVERSITY OF KLAGENFURT

Lastly, we did go into Klagenfurt today. I had a meeting at 4pm with one of my colleagues with whom I'm conducting a research project. I found out that they actually have some office space for me to use this year- and I have keys now to the classrooms I'll be using. I start teaching on Friday and will teach on Friday and Saturday for the next three weeks- This shot of me is taken in Klagenfurt and in the background you can see what they call the Parkbad (which basically means swimming area)- and the other shot is directly on campus with the sidewalk leading up to the building where I teach. You can see the students coming down the sidewalk- the grounds were abuzz with the German language although I did see two Chinese students walking together speaking English! One of the main purposes in the university having me teach here is so that students can take a class in English from a native speaker. You just don't realize how much slang you use until you start teaching a class of students who have no idea what you're talking about if you say something like, "we'll give it a whirl" or "let's play it by ear"- Its really given me a new appreciation for what my international students at UNI go through when they are in my classroom there. I've tried to catch myself in the slang and be a bit more explanatory for them.

OBERAMMERGAU

Speaking of- we did actually go up there last year and I have these couple of shots of the paintings I took there last year- so I figured I'd include them :)

Lüftlmalerei

Today while we were on our bike ride, I saw one of my favorite things about Bavarian architecture and that is the very traditional and festive fresco paintings that are done on the wet plaster- called Luftmalerei! There really aren't too many of these that I've seen around Klagenfurt, but if you get up into the border area between Austria and Germany you see tons of them - especially in the little town of Oberammergau (which is where THE passion play is put on every ten years)- Its about 3 hours from here. I just read online that they believe this technique began in Oberammergau- anyway- I just wanted to share these couple of them we saw on this building near Krumpendorf today.

ON THE BIKE RIDE

You know some people wouldn't post a picture of themselves with hair like this but I'm just fool enough to think it looks good! In any event its very loyal to UNI with my purple shirt- I meant to tell you that when we got into Klagenfurt it was Sunday and all the grocery stores were closed. So when we saw a little "Billa" store open at the train station we elected me to go in- as I'm taking off my backpack- the zipper which I knew had been a little open- decided to unzip- and bottles of shampoo and razors and books and all sorts of sharp, heavy things go FLYING out of the bag into the path of hapless Austrians walking into the store- When I realized what had happened I saw this young woman just frozen in her step right next to me- and I realized afterward that she was reacting with horror to the fact that I'd almost hit her- but of course I put up my hands and a reassuring motion and said, "I'M OK! I'M ALLRIGHT- I'M OK- THANKS" to which she gave me a very odd look and continued into the store. Carol just started to pick up the things and zip up my bag shaking her head... :) I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! :)

BIKE RIDE

This morning we went for a bike ride- the Krassnig's lend us bikes and they are just old three speeds (if they feel like having speeds) but they do the job :) And we got further around the lake than we EVER got last year. I think they have better signs up this year- Cause we were able to get to the next town which is quite a few kilometers away- Town is called Portsach- (the way they pronounce it sounds French to me)-- and it was SO beautiful out- Here's a couple of shots as we started out- This is a shot looking out over the lake "The Worthesees" to a little town called Maria Worth (like Maria Verth)- that little church is really fun to go into and walk around---

BEAUTIFUL BREEZY DAY

Took this little video earlier this afternoon.

NEW APARTMENT!

We moved! This afternoon Mrs. Krassnig asked us if we'd switch to Apt. No. 12 because she needed our other place for a family that was coming in on Friday. The old one has a door inside that opens to the apartment next door so you can turn two places into one. We said "sure"- and had NO idea that we were UPGRADING BIG TIME! For the same price! This is an end unit with a separate bedroom, bigger kitchen, and windows throughout the whole place so there's light everywhere. Plus two couches!! You'd think we'd just moved into the WHITE HOUSE the way we feel right now- its awesome! Here's some shots!