Is this the real life, or is this just fantasy

Today is officially the one month "anniversary" of my journey to Austria. One month ago today I started out for Austria and never looked back. The experiences I have been blessed with here are absolutely unreal; I have eaten a real Bavarian pretzel--in Bavaria, I have ridden in a boat--through the canals of Venice, I have tasted the best Gelato in the world--In Italy, I have been in the alps, through Munich, In Venice and Verona, I have been inside buildings hundreds of years older than my county, I have tasted the real Linzor Torte that Linz is famous for, I have visited Cathedrals blessed by the pope himself, and most important and authentic of all the experiences; I have become a member of a real Austrian Family. My time here is only beginning yet I feel already that this will be one of the best years I have had so far. My experience here in the short 28 days have been so unbelievable. My mind and emotions are all over the place between excitement, enjoyment, (and yes maybe even a LITTLE missing home) but mostly I just think that soon I will wake up and this will all be a dream. If I blink, it will be gone. I cannot believe I have been here for a month already and experienced so much. I cannot wait to see all of the extraordinary and everyday adventures that will come in the next months. This is real life.

                                                            This is me standing by the world famous Rathaus In                                                            Munich. I spent only a day in Munich because my host cousin was                                              looking at an apartment--but that one day was truly incredible and a dream come true!

 Welcome to Italy!!Where I spent a wonderful "ladies holidays" with my host mother, host Aunt and Host Cousin. We had a great time experiencing so much in only 6 days. It is amazing to me that there really are vineyards everywhere just like you see in the movies (but so much better!)

 

This is one of the famous Venice Canals. We took a train to Venice form where we were staying (by Italys Largest lake) for the day. We enjoyed walking around the city, seeing the churches, and each others company for a lovely little day trip. It was especially cool that we got to ride in a taxi/ferry type boat through the canals.

Here I am. Standing where the gladiators once stood. This is the arena in Verona(pictured below). The whole time we were here my "host Cousin" Esther kept saying "think about the gladiators here, think about them coming in here..." It is really incredible to be in a place like this with so much history that I honestly cannot even imagine.

And lastly me, in Venice again. Every spot here was so beautiful. This picture though for me shows how truly happy I am. I love it here and anxiously await my next adventure (which is school btw... I start next Wednesday)