September 2005 I would like to welcome you to Vienna, the city I call home for the next year of my life as I try to improve my German, immerse myself in another history and culture, and study... marine biology. \"But Austria is a landlocked country,\" you say, adding (impressed by your wittiness) \"you should be studying in AustrALia!\" Well, it is a valid point - the Austrians think coming here to study without an ocean is pretty hilarious too, so I am just going to get this off my chest now and say that surprise, the University of Vienna has a delightful little department of marine biology, and I am honored to have the chance to study here. Welcome off the beaten path. And after all, how could i resist - the coffee is better here :) So an introduction - I live in the ninth district of Vienna, in the Alserbachstrasse, in an adorable apartment that looks out over a typically grand Viennese street. The ubiquitous red streetcars (which locals call the \"bim,\" because that\'s the sound that it makes, bim bim when it leaves the station) stop right outside my door, making it a terribly convenient location. The Biology Center of the University is ten minutes by foot. Neighbors include a falafel/kebab place, a pizza place, the American Embassy and the Lichtenstein palace/museum (tagline - Baroque Lives!). I lucked out finding this apartment and my fabulous roommate. Christine is from upper Austria, lived in Prortugal, is a fantastic cook and amazing dancer. Really, going dancing with her is the best. We drink copious amounts of both coffee and tea and, when we need inspiration, rock out to Janis Joplin. I am taking a language course, and the weather is lovely. I consider Vienna a very green city, between the impressive buildings (such as parliament, pictured here) the city has plenty of parks and gardens which aren't too formal. The grass and trees are perfect setting for hours of reading, a picnick, people-watching, or a mid-afternoon nap.