Looking forward to the weekend, weekend...

Summer! I think I speak for all exchange students not hailing from tropical destinations when I say we have been thoroughly cooked over the past weekend. While the warm blooded creatures amongst us have suffered, we reptiles have enjoyed absorbing energy to keep us running later. Must save up for winter!

On Saturday, a large group met for an afternoon on the Danube. Many cafes and bars line the river's edge, which meant gelato was easy to find after skin had been sufficiently reddened. 

One of the gentlemen in our group had lived in Vienna before (despite hailing from Guatemala), so served as our tour guide for the occasion. He took as to an area largely populated by locals; I do not think many other internationals were in the area. As such, we were treated to the elderly women sunbathing topless and the men in comical swim suits. It was mostly the Americans who went in for a swim, but we all cooled our feet in the water. (Given my last river swim was at Sheep River, which is glacial fed, the water seemed quite warm. Our Italian/Brazilian girl heartily affirmed that it was, in fact, freezing, even if I could still feel my toes.)

With our heads and bodies wrung out from so much sunshine, we decided to find a park to sit in and relax. Fortunately we were very close to my apartment, so I was able to give directions to the nearest Billa. The girls bought breads, spreads, fruits, juice, and wine to share in groups. The boys purchased crisps and beer for themselves. You can tell who is having the better lifestyle on this exchange! It was a lovely evening.

On Sunday, Joanne and I co-ordinated a large group together through Facebook to head to Prater (the big amusement park two minutes from my apartment). The group was actually too big! The Swedes split off together, and smaller groups formed on and off, which made co-ordination a lot easier.

I was amused, as clearly some students had come as it was likely one of the only events they had heard of for the day. The arrivals have probably all finished now, but depending on the residence and languages spoken, it will take longer yet for everyone to have a group of buddies to hang out with. How could I tell they had come to meet more people? They signed up for an amusement park, but never went on any rides! (In fairness, they were a tad expensive as you pay for each ride individually, rather than admission to the park.) 

The temperature was forecasted to have a high under 30, but it went over 35. Pavement, fair grounds with little cover, and constant walking around was a killer combo. Joanne and I went on the ferris wheel together, and found the larger group enjoying beers in the shade of a restaurant (better to admit defeat than strive in vain). However, I did not imbibe as I was already feeling rather funny from the day… more on that later.