Why did you buy a bike so different from what you were riding (besides the limitation of gears and bike age).

A mountain bike woulda given you the gears you seek or even a modern hybrid.

If you wanted to change to a roadie then I agree with others that this is a position you will need to get use to and also to go back and make sure the shop fits you proper.

If you wanted to stay upright then I'd take the bike back and get a hybrid and talk to the shop about possibly puting riser bars on it to get you even closer to your original position. Modern hybrids should use Nexave 9-speed components and if you go with the Mega-9 sized gears you will be able to climb a wall!