Day 11:
What whaaaat, I've been alive for 16 years already? Time goes by fast when you're having fun, so I guess that means I've had a fun life.
I have definitely had more than a fun trip. This vacation has been different than all others that I've been on. I think the difference is that because we are staying here for so long, it has started to feel like we are adapting to a new lifestyle instead of just kickin it on the beach. I have loved this because we have been able to truly experience another culture and in doing so I can picture myself living here after I graduate. (It's only just a dreammmm)
Anyways back to day 11. It was Sunday, and Volker and Hedda had to be in charge of something at their church, so instead of us going to do something together, Gerald, Anna, Emma, mom and I met up with Barbara, Ernst and their 3 kids and went on a hike! They said it was an easy 1 hour walk. They said. 2 1/2 hours later of only uphill climbing, we finally get to the top where they have a restaurant and a petting zoo type thang for the children. You wouldn't ever think that the tops of these mountains would have restaurants, but everywhere we've been, there has been a restaurant. So, we ordered our food and since they have all been raving about wienerschnitzel which is Austria's pride and joy food, I decided to try it. It's not a hotdog like the restaurant back in the states, it's more of a cordon bleu meal. To be honest, I still don't know exactly what I ate, but I know it was good, and that's all that matters. ;) And here in Austria, no matter how full you are, you HAVE to get dessert. Bummer, huh? It's a real struggle, but somehow I managed to stuff down perfect Nutella crepes hand delivered by the owner wearing lederhosen. Seriously, what other place in the world can you hike up to the top of the mountain to this gorgeous gourmet restaurant, and have Nutella crepes freshly made for you and delivered by an old man in leather trousers? Reason #2653 of why I have fallen in love with Europe.

Because the hike to the restaurant was literally all uphill, the way down cut the time in half and was much more enjoyable in my eyes. It was fun being with the younger girls the whole time because we taught each other English and German, and I really learned a lot! I now know how to say: road, leaf, small, rock, sun, flower, tree, most colors, please and thank you, count to 20, and happy birthday. Okay.. So maybe that's not enough to be able to survive over here on my own, but it's a start.

We had planned to all meet back at Hedda and volkers house, but our 1 hour walk that was actually a 9 mile hike took a little longer than they expected, so we were a little bit late. Usually you get scolded big time when you're late, but hey, it was my birthday, what were they going to do? Tell me I'm 15 again? Lol 2 bad. ;) When we arrived, they had the table all set up for us to eat cake and at the end of the table, they had flowers all around a plate, with gifts, cards, and the cake with candles on it. They really know how to make you feel special! So I made my wish (don't bother asking what it is), they sang happy birthday in German, and then we all ate chocolate cake and partied the Austrian way.

It was definitely a birthday that I will never forget.