Pictures!

I am adding a link that will let you see pictures from Waidhoven and Vienna!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10966&id=100000626237511&l=712ec1510f

History

Being in Vienna makes me feel almost insignificant. I think about all the old buildings and how much history they have, how they have survived over years and years, wars, plauges, etc... And I think of the people that spent their life creating these beautiful places. It is so romantic to me, spending ones life building something that could withstand the test of time.

Walking down the cobble stone streets I swear I can here the sound of a horse drawn carriage, or of people busy at work. It takes me one second with my eyes closed to transform modern time into what I think it would have been like.

Update in Photos!

Valencia! Pictures of the beautiful museums.

The race track, car #2 is the one Richy drives. His friend was driving a brand new Porsche GT3 R, this was its first race and it won p. 1

The hills are alive with the sound of music!!

Freshman... again

Being in Europe isn’t nearly as strange as I imagined it to be. I was expecting the awkward feeling of being an outsider. A small redheaded girl on the fringe of society. Wide eyed and overwhelmed. I was expecting they could read me like a book, as though I had “I don’t belong here” written across my forehead. My Spanish, German, Italian accent as fake as the stereotypical American girl. I once again felt like I was a freshman at the first day of high school.

At moments, yes, this was me. When I didn’t know how the faucet turned off in the bathroom, when I watched the race trying to figure out P1 after the pit stops while only hearing Spanish through the PA system. Especially when I sat in the back of the car listening to Richy and Thomas speak about God only knows in Austrian.

However, most of the time, I overcame the fear of being the “freshman”. I nodded my head at Tino, the older Italian guy who helps prepare food, when he spoke Italian to me faster than American’s speak English. And I used broken Spanish with a shy smile on my face when the people at the hotel asked what I needed help with. The best moments, my moments of solace came when I heard clearly through the sound of cars, or while on the “motorway” on the way to hotel, a classic American song. Who ever thought “Manic Monday” would be the best security blanket. While I am in the states I tend to question everything America stands for, but in Europe, all I can think is God bless America for being so damn influential.

Sara's Excellent Adventure

I often awake thinking "I need something different". Its not often that I actually do something about it. But a month and a half ago, I did.

I booked a ticket to Europe, traveling by myself by the way, and set to the task of getting mentally prepared. I take after my dad in that sense. I need to have everything in order, and I double, triple check before I am substantially satisfied with my readiness. Some call it being "over prepared" or "OCD" about my travel plans, and I guess I don't disagree. After printing off 7 copies of my important documents, I fell on my bed laughing. 7 copies, really?

Either way, the day finally came for my excellent adventure, and, without butterflies or tears, I boarded the plane bound for Europe.

My first stop was Chicago, and luckily I had no down time before the next flight. Its the waiting that will kill you. Next was my flight to Dusseldorf, Germany aboard this huge Lufthansa Airbus 330 that looked as if it was straight off the set of some Hollywood movie. The 8 hour flight flew by (haha first pun of the journey) and so far everyone has thought I am European. It is very flattering, however scary. If they think I am German, then they speak to me in German... Yes I have been practicing, but so far no one has asked if this is my green bicycle, or where is the sink. Thanks Rosetta Stone...

As I write to you now, I am sitting in the Dusseldorf airport, anxiously awaiting Richard's flight to arrive, and then our flight to Spain. I am unnervingly calm, and either too tired to tell I'm tired, or surprisingly fresh and rested. I don't really feel as though I am in a different country, 8 hours time difference from my life. The only hint is the well dressed people and the fact that everything in written form is in German.

I don't know what to expect, which is amazing. Usually the unknown sends me into fits of panic attacks and upset stomachs, but not this time. Either I am taking too much of my medication or, I actually grew up. I don't know which is scarier!

Ponder that while I sign off to watch some comforting and familiar European humor in the form of Top Gear. And stay posted, there is surely much much more to come.