I was a lot more tired that I thought I was. This week wore me out, but it was so much fun at the same time. I didn't get out of bed today until a quarter to 2. I guess that is what being sick, but keeping busy and having a lot of fun in the process does. :) I haven't written a completed blog post since last Sunday, so it's about time I get you caught up! :-)
Monday, June 7
Monday was kind of uneventful. I don't remember when I stopped going to German classes, but I was done for the day quite early. I think this was the day I brought Hilary back to my apartment and showed her around the area. I don't remember, but I will tell you about that any way. :-) I showed her my apartment and we walked around the area. We had a lot of fun looking at shoes in random stores, checking out the Body Shop (it's similar to Bath and Body works for those of you who don't know.) which is more expensive and the same as the company in the States. We went grocery shopping and had ice cream along the way. We had a really good talk and enjoyed the amazing ice cream. She went back to the hostel the rest of the group is staying at to get ready for a concert.
Tuesday, June 8
This was the day of our 2nd Vienna ensemble concert. We have a few ensembles in the group, and we have concerts every week, even though there isn't one this week, to perform for everyone, and anyone else who wants to watch is welcome. This week we actually had people who I think were from Vienna watch us. The flute choir performed Sonority Cannon, another piece that I can't remember the name of, I heard Maggie say that it was played at Prince Dianna's service, and we ended with Under The Sea, an arrangement done by Maggie's husband John Schuberg. It was a great arrangement, and it put a new spin on it with the bass flute included. I'm not sure, but I think all of our performances are being recorded, so hopefully you will be able to hear them down the road. Bridget and I went to a free concert by the Vienna Philharmonic at the Schonbrunn Gardens, a nice walk from our apartment. We didn't get there early enough, so we were way in the back, and we couldn't see them unless we stood on our tippy toes. Basically it was in the extreme nose bleeds. They had big screens that displayed shots of the group, but we were standing behind a lot of tall people, so even then it was still hard to see. But, I can't complain because it was free, and not very many people get to see one of the best groups in the world... for free. :) They opened with the Star Wars Imperial March. They also played Mars, from the Planets by Gustov Holst, Mozart, and ended with a great piece by Schumann. They brought in one of the greatest pianists in the world, and he played an arrangement by Liszt. It was pretty amazing. :)
Wednesday, June 9
Ah, yes, this is the day I stopped going to German. I know, you're probably thinking, "Why would you not go?" Well, as much as I would love to learn a new language, and German has been interesting to learn. The thing is, we're not getting credit for the class, even though we are paying for it because it is part of our program provided by IES. If we chose to get credit for it, we have to pay an additional $234. I was also spending a lot of time on it, and little to no time on my upper division writing music class that I need to graduate. So, that is where my priorities came in. We met for my upper division writing class to go over some things. All of our writing assignments are being posted on a blog, and we are to keep a journal. We have to write 2 blog entries a week, and write 4 concert reports. I'm just hoping I can book all of my concerts in time before I leave. I'm hoping to be done with all the work, so I won't have to do it when I get back, but we'll see on that one. There was also a free concert that night, but there was a lot of public transportation involved, and we were going to get back really late, close to 11pm, and I don't like traveling on the underground trains late at night here unless I absolutely have to. So, I went to a Chinese restaurant with Hilary, Matt and Katie instead. I went back to my apartment, and that is where my day ended. :)
Thursday, June 10
Another uneventful day. I wanted to go the Essl Museum, but didn't get there in time to meet the group. They were meeting at the Mozart house, and I couldn't remember at the time where that was, so I didn't go. I could of found it because I had a little time, but I didn't. It probably would have been really neat to go to, but oh well. Can't do everything, even though you really want to. So, I went shopping with Hilary for a bit, and got a gift for my cousin Cassie, and did a little home work. I went shopping again with Hilary, Katie and Bridget at H&M and bought 2 pairs of earrings for under 5 euro :) That was pretty much it. :) I know I am here for school, but with everything we do in a day, it has been hard to get into that mind set. I'm in a country that I have never been to before, still in awe of everything, but I'm going to need to kick it into gear soon... meaning today. :)
Friday, June 11
I got up early and packed for Salzburg! We met the group at Stephansdom at 8am. We took the uban to the train station to go to Salzburg. The train ride was about 3 hours long, or so. It went by really fast for me, it didn't seem that long. We stayed at the Salzburg Hostel with a great view of the fortress. Dr. Randal led a tour of Mozart. We went to the house where he was born, and the apartment that his family moved to later. Both of the houses are now museums with really interesting artifacts. There were original and copies of manuscripts, paintings, and locks of Mozart's hair. We saw the church where his Mass in C minor was premiered. This is also the church that he introduced his wife, Constanze was introduced to his family. She was the leading soprano in the mass and performed it for the family, and met them after the performance. What a way to be introduced to the in laws? ;) We ended it at the Gardens where part of Sound of Music was filmed. I had a lot of fun exploring that, and getting pictures with friends.
For dinner we went to an Irish pub, and had a great time! It was me, Bridget, Jenny, Kara, Anna and Phil. Bridget is the only one from the group, so it was great being able to talk to everyone and to know them better. I've noticed that when every I go out in Vienna, or Salzburg for that matter, it is always a group of girls with one guy. I was really glad to have Phil there, a very tall saxophone player, due to the shady characters wondering the streets. We got back to the hostel and finally went to bed at around 1 am.
Saturday, June 12
This was the free day to explore the city. I went on the Sound of Music Tour! I already explained it in yesterdays post. This tour began 15 years ago, and the tour goes to most of the places where the movie was filmed, and certain places of the Von Trap family. There actual house is in the city of Salzburg, but no one is allowed to see it unless they are invited by the family. Here is a link for those of you who are interested to learn more:
http://www.panoramatours.com/Offer.fc?DISPATCH_METHOD=LoadOfferContent&o_content=soundofmusic/index&lang=en-US
Along the tour, we stopped on a mountain, in the Lake and Mountain district, to go tobogganing! Random!! How many people can say they went tobogganing on the Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg, in June? Our tour guide Barbara insisted that we try it, and she was right. I'm glad I did. :) Like I said yesterday, I was beaming almost the entire trip, and I haven't had that much fun in a long time. I went with a couple Phil and Anna, and two people who I didn't know very well, Addie, a saxophone player, and Tom a vocalist. It was so surreal to be there, where the family was, and where the movie was filmed. Learning the history of the family was so great! When I get home I'm going to have to watch the movie again. It's been a while, and I can say during the movie, "I was there... and there... and there!" Are you up for that Rachel? ;) We ended at the gardens where the Do Re Mi song was filmed. I went back to hostel to eat and rest because I wasn't feeling well. A group of us later went to the Billa, a grocery store, to get some snacks for the train ride home. The ride home was fun as well. Got to talk to the same people I spent time with on the trip and Phil shared some funny stories. It was storming on part of the way back, and the lightening was incredible. I came back to my apartment and crashed. I was soooooo tired. Hence why I woke up this afternoon! :-) Today is my lazy day and catch up day. I listened to an old sermon from Missoula Alliance Church. It was great to listen to Pastor Jeff again, and the sermon was refreshing. I hope you enjoying this post as much as I enjoyed recapping on the week. Tomorrow I am hoping to make it to a concert with pieces by Beethoven, Schubert, Pagannini and J. Strauss. I'll see if I can book a ticket. :) I don't have any classes tomorrow so hopefully today and tomorrow I can use to get caught up in my class. This week end I plan to go to Prague and spend time with my friend Adela. Phil, Anna, Bridget and Hilary are coming with me. I've been looking forward to this for months as I have mentioned several times :) I hope everyone is having a great day! I see on weatherchannel.com that it going to be sunny in Nashua, mostly sunny in Libby, and Sunny in Missoula! (Don't blame me for the weather if it's wrong, the only thing I have to go by here is the internet. ;) and if I didn't mention your town, my apologies:)) Here in Vienna it is partly cloudy, and expecting rain by tonight. I'm happy about that because it has been so hot here, having the sun a little behind the clouds and rain by night will cool things off a bit. Take care and I'll see you in about 3 weeks!!
Love,
Jenna (or Yenna, how it pronounced in German, and in Czech:))
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