VIENNA, January 16

January 16: Had class today. Some new students registered and others are “cutting.” I talked to a young Russian lady who is teaching world literature. She has an undergraduate degree from the American University in Paris and is writing her dissertation from UC Berkeley. She says cheating and poor English is the biggest problem. Writing papers is a different issue, however. During today’s classes I had a lot of discussion from the students and most seemed to be able to discuss very well, although I am not sure of one or two of them. Students seem to have a love/hate relationship regarding the US, but obviously they know I am from Texas. The computers are down today. After class we did some grocery shopping at the Merkur which is a bit larger than the neighborhood Billa. Mary found some bath salts imported from Israel which have genuine Dead Sea salts. So all we have to do is fill up the bath tub, pour the stuff in, and it will be just like the Dead Sea. We shall see. Temperature dropping. Will wear long underwear for the first time in 30 or 40 years when I get up tomorrow.