To Float on the Wayward Wind

No pictures to accompany this post, but I had a good Sunday. I relaxed in the morning and then got prepared and went out around noon. I went downtown and got some food and walked around for a bit. I then met up with some folks at the Haus der Musik, a museum of music history and instruments, for a free concert that is part of a summer series. The concert focused on the life and work of Franz Liszt, played by a violinist and a pianist. The violinist explained that when he first set out to do this project and considered Liszt's life, he was struck by the fact that at the height of his popularity and ability, Liszt decided to retire from stage performance. He therefore lectured us through Liszt's life as he played. He began with Un sospire  but gave it little introduction. Afterward, he discussed Liszt's childhood: Liszt outpacing his teacher, his father's attempts to woo Beethoven into assistance, his move to France, his status as a "wunderkind," etc. For comp...

House of Parliament designed in Classical style to represent Greek interest in Democracy Athena,  Goddess of Democracy, turns her back to parliament... Yesterday was my first weekend-day in Vienna other than last Sunday, when all we did was move in. It wasn't like most Saturdays will be, however, because there were a variety of planned and required activities. At 10:30 I went down to the IES Center for a lecture on the history of Vienna. The professor took us through Vienna's progression from a Celtic town by a river to a Roman military outpost, then becoming an important part of Charlemagne's Empire and the Babenburg Empire until finally it came under the Hapsburgs, for whom it was vital over their 600 year reign and eventually mighty empire. She explained certain key figures, like Maria Theresia, and then moved on to the modern history after World War I, the rise of Hitler, and its changes after World War II. It looks like the Stephansdom but it's actually ...

The main stairs of the museum Yesterday was a long, hot, but pretty good day. I had German class in the morning. A bit less disruptive, felt like we were learning a bit more, but still some disruption. I just hope she clarifies what's on Friday's test!! Afterward, I went out and got some lunch and walked to the Museums Quartier. Here, there is the natural history museum and the art museum of the Hapsburg family form a forum with a huge statue of Maria Theresia in the middle. This in turn creates a forum with the Hofburg Palace complex which is across the Ringstrasse (in all, this creates a sort of T shape). I then got a tour from a lovely older professor of art history in the art museum. Our IES group got in for free for this tour. She explained how, unlike in America, the museums of Europe were founded by the great monarchical families to hold the treasures brought back across vast empires (in the case of Austro-Hungary, as far as Spain). Hence they are much older and h...

Well... Today I got up early again and did a variety of things, did my German homework, got prepared, and took the U-Bahn down to IES. It was a pretty painless process. I printed out my German homework and went to German class. This was fun and interesting, though the discipline in class is questionable at the moment. I got out of class and went and did my German homework. After my homework was done I practiced a bit and went to the business internship information session. I think it's best if I hold off, much as I'd like to have the opportunity. The course fair succeeded this but was not particularly useful to me (since my classes are ones I'm satisfied with). The sandwiches were good, though. I met up with some people and went out to the Rathaus (the city hall). Every night during the summer (until some date early in September, I think) they are showing films on a huge screen of major performances, ranging from classical music to modern. Today, they had Eric Clapton and...

I arrived in Vienna last night. There wasn't a lot to post then, and also, the internet was quite spotty on account of the landlady's daughter having lost the code. The landlady herself was nice, but there was decidedly a language barrier and I was glad her husband was there to translate (as well as Sonya, whose name, if she ever reads this, I apologize for misspelling). I don't yet have any pictures of Vienna; yesterday was focused on moving luggage around, and today on getting registered with the police and finding the IES center. I'll make sure to get some soon. In the mean time, here are some photos from the tail end of my time in Mariazell: The wooded walk up to the Chapel On The Hill (not it's official title) Said Chapel Unfortunately hard to see Mariazell here, but it's in the center of the town below the hill Inside the Chapel On The Hill (photo taken through hole in locked wooden door) A close up of Mariazell from the C...

The Youth Hostel Today I got up fairly late and went for my housing interview. Mostly this was the housing coordinator trying to convince me that it's okay that I'm in the new homestay and not the residence hall. I told him I was actually quite satisfied, but he did say I could switch if it didn't work. I then received paperwork, including my police registration form, and was sent on my way. Afterward, I had the great opportunity of going back to Mariazell. I could've gone to the lake, instead, and I'm sure it was quite beautiful, but since I didn't want to swim in the cold water, it seemed like the better option was to go back to town. I first made some necessary and unnecessary purchases. I bought a rosary, some ice cream, and some locally baked gingerbread, and a phone coupon for phone minutes. I also bought some postcards of the magnificent portions of the Basilica, since you cannot take pictures inside (probably for preservation and because it's...

Today, our first full day of IES orientation and excursions, etc., marked an excursion into Mariazell. The town is very remote, a sort of city on a hill. Pilgrims come on walking (and bus) pilgrimages to the church here, where the Maria, in the Zell, eventually had a gothic+baroque basilica built around it. Before I actually visited the basilica, however, I went to the Volksmuseum and saw the traditional life of people in the region. I took some good pictures and learned some interesting things. Mostly however, I learned how they best us: Cooler rustic pianos... (Catherine) Bigger woodworking tools... (Dad) Bigger hiking boots... (Dad)  Bigger Christmas village... (Mom) Better pirate cast-iron tombstones In any case... The museum was interesting. After we got done there the Arts & Architecture professor took us on a tour of the basilica, explaining the story of the monk who was carrying a limewood statuette of Mary and was chased by robbers...

My Ticket! Me waiting in the airport! There's not a lot to post in this, the first blog post. It's a day late because I didn't get the blog set up until I got here, but I thought I would post something about the process anyway. I thought I had everything packed perfectly, but it turned out I needed to lose about 4 kilos total across my two suitcases. After getting that done and bidding my farewells, I, for a moment, was told at security that I had a "duplicate ticket" fortunately, that was resolved and I was able to get on my flight with relatively little difficulty. The flight was alright. I discovered that I like the show Lie to Me and that the movie Priest had a good idea but was not particularly well executed. I arrived and found some IES students at the airport and eventually we all stowed luggage and headed out for Mariazell on the three hour bus ride. I was able to get through the orientation sessions, win a mug and some lip balm in trivia, and ...