It has now been a little over a month since I first stepped off my plane in Vienna. I have the perhaps typical notion that it cannot have already been a month while simultaneously it feels like ages ago that I arrived. Vienna is a city so rich with history that even after four weeks there are still many museums and historical sites to explore.

This past Saturday I returned from a weeklong trip travelling through greater Austria with my program. The first town we visited was Innsbruck, located in western Austria. Innsbruck surprised me the most of the three towns we visited, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Graz. We arrived in the dark with just enough time to grab some dinner before restaurants in this sleepy town closed. However, when I awoke the next morning to begin my exploration I was stunned to see that the town was nestled between the enormous Limestone Alps to the north and Sandstone Alps to the south. While in the morning I was uncertain of my plans for the day, when I discovered that one could take the Nordkettenbahn (a system of two gondolas and a funicular) to ascend Hafelekar, a 2256m peak, I knew immediately what I wanted to do. Being from the prairie of Minnesota I have always been impressed by even what others consider insignificant mountains. This being said, imagine my awe at the magnitude of the Alps. The view was absolutely magnificent. I was stunned by the height and starkness of the mountains; they are decidedly different from the gentle peaks of the Appalachians. After a long time at the summit soaking up the 360-degree view, the real adventure began when I decided to hike down instead of taking the gondolas. I quickly succeeded in getting off track, however unperturbed by the longer than planned descent, and assisted by an Austrian couple hiking up the mountain, I had that much more fun. I saw more of Innsbruck than I would have otherwise, and had the opportunity to practice my German to get back on track. When I woke up that morning and noticed the mountains I certainly did not think that within a matter of hours I would be at the top gazing out towards miles and miles of other peaks. This is a valuable lesson; never underestimate what you can achieve in a few hours. If you are open to a fluid itinerary you never know what adventure you will find yourself in.

My time in Vienna has been filled with several such adventures, and most notably the exploration of many outstanding museums. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, while simultaneously overwhelmed by all that there is to experience. One month in, with three still to go, I am certain there will be more exploration, lessons and memories to share.