![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Day 3, 4, and 5
May. 27th, 2008 04:32 pmDay 3 was... Saturday, I think. We all got up and headed to IES for touring. That's right, touring while jetlagged.
One of our flatmates, Andrew, knew exactly where he was going and so we followed him til we arrived. Our walking tour was lead by Gretel, a student intern(?) who had come here with IES a few years back and loved it so much she works here now. Anyway, she showed us around the 1st district, which is just the inner core of the city, the oldest part, and the most tourist-frequented. There was far too much stuff (museums and palaces) and too much walking, but it helped me recognize where I was later, and the stories about the places and people were both enjoyable and harrowing.
Then we got on a bus tour, led by the teacher of Art history, which is not going this term, she was very enthusiastic, and the multiple stops (at Hundertwasser apartments and the Bellesomething) kept me awake. But then we just were sitting, and I fell asleep for an hour. 'Twas very nice, and I felt refreshed when I woke up. Then we went to a Heuriger, which means 'new wine'. As you may have guessed, it is a wine tavern. We had dinner there, extremely good lamb, chicken, ham, and many vegetable dishes. I did try some wine, but it was far too dry for me. I am just not an adventurous drinker. I shouldn't be drinking, as I'll be only be 21 come August.
We talked and ate for a good two hours. Some of our teachers introduced themselves, and we decided we were ready to leave. Then they told us where the bus was to go back to our respective apartments. That was something of a shock, but Andrew came through for me. He and I got separated from the rest of our flatmates accidentally, and they got lost, but he found our way just fine. Then I practiced, and the group talked for a while. Two of our flatmates: Haley (my roomie away from home), and Kenya (one of the boys) decided to go for a drink, and had an adventure with our RA, Ben. End of day 3.
Day 4, Sunday:
We all got up to go to church to listen to a Missa Brevis by Mozart. Our Performance workshop teachers, Prof. Anton and Ryan, showed us in, and, surprisingly, we got seats. I couldn't understand most of it, or really any of it. I thought it would be in German, like the program, but it was in Latin, which I don't speak, I only read it. There was a father there with his two little girls, one was just a toddler, very precocious. It was distracting from the mass, but she was soo cute. The choir there was stunning, I couldn't see any of the singers or players, but it was proffessional quality. I was impressed.
After church, the teachers showed us the music stores, of which there was only two they recommended in the 1st district. They also had some very helpful reviews of the different restaurants. Then they left us, and what I term 'the herd mind' took over. This is what happens when you have ten to fifteen hungry students who don't know where anything is. We wandered here and there, finally most stayed at a French cafe for lunch, while me, Andrew, Haley, and Megan or Elana went for a food cart, I had pizza. Then we went back to the cafe and ordered dessert, the lemon tarte was very good.
After that, we went to a 3 in 1 museum of ancient armor, musical instruments, and Ephesus. All in one place, that was an odd combination. The different sections were separate, but it was all in the same building. I couldn't appreciate it as much as I would have liked to, I was just too tired. Then we went for ice cream. Apparently, it is a big deal in Vienna, especially among IES students. I have to admit, it was very creamy, and there were many different flavors.
Finally, we headed home. Haley and Kenya had taken a bus back to our apartment the night before, so we headed to it (a good 10-20 blocks away). I wanted to take the U-Bahn, or subway, because we were right there at an entrance, but went along with the group. We get to the bus stop, and it turns out that the bus they took was a Night Bus (I capitalized it for all the Harry Potter fans out there), which starts its run at about 12:30am. I insisted we take the U-Bahn, then. And we did, it didn't take all that long, and Andrew's sense of direction/map reading skills helped a bit.
The day was still not over. We had to buy a weeklong pass to public transport, and I did at the station, encouraging others to do the same. But they didn't because Ben had promised to show them how. We get back, Ben comes, we leave for the U-Bahn station to get the passes (I didn't want to miss out on activities as I usually do). We did that, and then everyone was hungry, they got a recommendation from Ben and decided to go there. My back hurt, my stomach hurt, and I wasn't hungry, so I went back to the apartment, wishing them well. Practiced and went to bed. End of Day 4.
Day 5, Monday:
Monday was the first day of classes. But first we had to register with the city so it would know and approve of us living there. Our landlady, Ely, took us to the place. According to Ben, this is where all the Austrians get their passports as well as registration of living accomidations. The officials were nice, and it only took twenty minutes. Then on the walk home, we passed a grocery store, and the group, or Andrew, decided to get food. We were planning on this, but later in the day. So we go in, grab what we need, and check out. Of course, we have no bag with us, but that is alright because we can carry what we bought. We go home, stash the groceries, and go to IES.
There was no German placement for those without any previous experience, which was a good deal of us, but no-one told us until we got there. So I blogged, practiced, and there was Music History, which was very interesting. Our teacher, Dr. Solvik, is very energetic, and seems young when compared to TU professors. Then, at last, we played for Performance workshop. I didn't do too badly. The others here are very good. I feel some of the singers (we only have sopranos this term) were professional opera quality. Kenya, one of two pianists, is just amazing. I am probably the least experienced/polished of the three violinists here, and we are the only strings! Its very odd. I want a cellist for some reason.
After classes, there was a misadventure, but I am tired, look how much I wrote! It has taken an hour. I shall write about it tomorrow.
Good day,
Greeny
One of our flatmates, Andrew, knew exactly where he was going and so we followed him til we arrived. Our walking tour was lead by Gretel, a student intern(?) who had come here with IES a few years back and loved it so much she works here now. Anyway, she showed us around the 1st district, which is just the inner core of the city, the oldest part, and the most tourist-frequented. There was far too much stuff (museums and palaces) and too much walking, but it helped me recognize where I was later, and the stories about the places and people were both enjoyable and harrowing.
Then we got on a bus tour, led by the teacher of Art history, which is not going this term, she was very enthusiastic, and the multiple stops (at Hundertwasser apartments and the Bellesomething) kept me awake. But then we just were sitting, and I fell asleep for an hour. 'Twas very nice, and I felt refreshed when I woke up. Then we went to a Heuriger, which means 'new wine'. As you may have guessed, it is a wine tavern. We had dinner there, extremely good lamb, chicken, ham, and many vegetable dishes. I did try some wine, but it was far too dry for me. I am just not an adventurous drinker. I shouldn't be drinking, as I'll be only be 21 come August.
We talked and ate for a good two hours. Some of our teachers introduced themselves, and we decided we were ready to leave. Then they told us where the bus was to go back to our respective apartments. That was something of a shock, but Andrew came through for me. He and I got separated from the rest of our flatmates accidentally, and they got lost, but he found our way just fine. Then I practiced, and the group talked for a while. Two of our flatmates: Haley (my roomie away from home), and Kenya (one of the boys) decided to go for a drink, and had an adventure with our RA, Ben. End of day 3.
Day 4, Sunday:
We all got up to go to church to listen to a Missa Brevis by Mozart. Our Performance workshop teachers, Prof. Anton and Ryan, showed us in, and, surprisingly, we got seats. I couldn't understand most of it, or really any of it. I thought it would be in German, like the program, but it was in Latin, which I don't speak, I only read it. There was a father there with his two little girls, one was just a toddler, very precocious. It was distracting from the mass, but she was soo cute. The choir there was stunning, I couldn't see any of the singers or players, but it was proffessional quality. I was impressed.
After church, the teachers showed us the music stores, of which there was only two they recommended in the 1st district. They also had some very helpful reviews of the different restaurants. Then they left us, and what I term 'the herd mind' took over. This is what happens when you have ten to fifteen hungry students who don't know where anything is. We wandered here and there, finally most stayed at a French cafe for lunch, while me, Andrew, Haley, and Megan or Elana went for a food cart, I had pizza. Then we went back to the cafe and ordered dessert, the lemon tarte was very good.
After that, we went to a 3 in 1 museum of ancient armor, musical instruments, and Ephesus. All in one place, that was an odd combination. The different sections were separate, but it was all in the same building. I couldn't appreciate it as much as I would have liked to, I was just too tired. Then we went for ice cream. Apparently, it is a big deal in Vienna, especially among IES students. I have to admit, it was very creamy, and there were many different flavors.
Finally, we headed home. Haley and Kenya had taken a bus back to our apartment the night before, so we headed to it (a good 10-20 blocks away). I wanted to take the U-Bahn, or subway, because we were right there at an entrance, but went along with the group. We get to the bus stop, and it turns out that the bus they took was a Night Bus (I capitalized it for all the Harry Potter fans out there), which starts its run at about 12:30am. I insisted we take the U-Bahn, then. And we did, it didn't take all that long, and Andrew's sense of direction/map reading skills helped a bit.
The day was still not over. We had to buy a weeklong pass to public transport, and I did at the station, encouraging others to do the same. But they didn't because Ben had promised to show them how. We get back, Ben comes, we leave for the U-Bahn station to get the passes (I didn't want to miss out on activities as I usually do). We did that, and then everyone was hungry, they got a recommendation from Ben and decided to go there. My back hurt, my stomach hurt, and I wasn't hungry, so I went back to the apartment, wishing them well. Practiced and went to bed. End of Day 4.
Day 5, Monday:
Monday was the first day of classes. But first we had to register with the city so it would know and approve of us living there. Our landlady, Ely, took us to the place. According to Ben, this is where all the Austrians get their passports as well as registration of living accomidations. The officials were nice, and it only took twenty minutes. Then on the walk home, we passed a grocery store, and the group, or Andrew, decided to get food. We were planning on this, but later in the day. So we go in, grab what we need, and check out. Of course, we have no bag with us, but that is alright because we can carry what we bought. We go home, stash the groceries, and go to IES.
There was no German placement for those without any previous experience, which was a good deal of us, but no-one told us until we got there. So I blogged, practiced, and there was Music History, which was very interesting. Our teacher, Dr. Solvik, is very energetic, and seems young when compared to TU professors. Then, at last, we played for Performance workshop. I didn't do too badly. The others here are very good. I feel some of the singers (we only have sopranos this term) were professional opera quality. Kenya, one of two pianists, is just amazing. I am probably the least experienced/polished of the three violinists here, and we are the only strings! Its very odd. I want a cellist for some reason.
After classes, there was a misadventure, but I am tired, look how much I wrote! It has taken an hour. I shall write about it tomorrow.
Good day,
Greeny
