Pack Your Bags, We're Moving

It's been a week since I arrived in Memphis. And, Tomorrow is my first day of classes at my new school. I just finished my orchestra placement auditions. It went well, I think; we'll see what happens with seating tomorrow afternoon.

Last Monday night I showed up to town with a car full of my possessions and no place to call my own. Thanks to the generosity of friends, I had a place to stay in Memphis as I house hunted. This past week has been a lot of running around, trying to find a place to live, getting holds taken care of, registering, trying to establish residency, trying to find furniture, etc. Basically, you're average hassle with moving to a new place on top of trying to get ready for school.

Walking on my new campus though gave me a flash back to my freshman year and how different I am now. Thinking back, I was probably just as adventurous then as I am now; but my courage has changed. I think it's increased. I'm more sure of who I am and what I want. I couldn't help but think of the contrast to what I'm even wearing. Thankfully, my style has changed along with everything else. I'm no longer that gym shoe wearing, hair in a slicked back pony-tail, tucked in tshirt, homeschool looking girl I once was. Nowadays, I don't tuck in my shirts ;)

I was also thinking about how good being in Europe was for me regarding courage.
Traveling, I've decided, is a whole lot more like life than anything else. Being in school, you're surrounded by teachers and mentors that are asking you what your life plans are. Don't get me wrong, 5 year plans are great. To a point. But, I think they forget to tell you to chill out when things don't happen exactly according to a plan you wrote half a decade ago. Life happens. You go out, either with expectations or not, prepared or not, and you come to a place that you really couldn't have expected. You can try to stop it, but something will always disrupt it. It's how you go with the flow, roll with the punches, how flexable.... you get the idea. I'm probably justifying my own tendencies to just-go-for things, but I think the thing people forget is that just because you're doing something new and albeit exciting, doesn't mean you aren't scared out of your mind.

New means uncharted.
Exciting means unexpected.
If you're not careful, that can all equate to fear.

With all of this, traveling in Europe was good for me because it forced me in (okay, I guess I ultimately signed up for them) situations where I had no choice but to ask questions. Forced me in situations where I knew nothing and everyone else knew it too. No other choice to put myself out there because, well, I already looked like an idiot, I might as well sound like one too.

Being here, I realized "Lil-Freshman-Rachel" would never have had the courage to ask questions like I am constantly doing now. It's funny because I think I look(ed) like a fool more often than I would care to admit. But maybe, just maybe, I'm coming to terms with that and not giving a d@mn.

I know what I want.
I'm getting better at asking directions on how to get there.
But, I'm also willing to go wherever the newest adventure takes me.

Here's to a season of more new.

Vienna

Tuesday night was my last concert in Europe. I stayed up most of the night celebrating with the orchestra and conductor after our (and my personal favorite) concert. The first half of the concert was the final round of the Meistersinger Competition. Every singer was on fire that evening. Singer after singer brought everything they had to the stage. It was an emotional roller coaster you didn't want to miss. While the judges left to decide the winners, we continued with the concert performing Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin. The rehearsals, the attention to detail, the gentle but pulling expectation for unified mastery, and above all the energy made this my favorite concert here. It's rare to have a time of work seem so exciting. The conductor was amazing, and while I could wish and hope that I'll play with him again, instead I'll do my best to hang on to his energy for music that was so captivating.
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Well, I've arrived safely back in the States and am currently in Atlanta trying to put down a few thoughts from my last trip. Wednesday morning I got up at 5:30 (I had only gotten to bed only 2 hours before) to catch the train to Vienna. I've spent 5 1/2 weeks in Europe, over half of it in Austria, and I hadn't yet gotten over to Vienna. I felt like that would be a mistake to miss.

The trams to the train station were spaced out more than I expected in the morning and I wound up actually missing the train that I wanted to catch. So, I chilled out by myself for an hour and had some Schokoschnecke for breakfast at the train station. Which by the way, this is by far my favorite Austrian dessert pastry I've come across. If you haven't tried one yet, do it.

I arrived in Vienna around 10:00. I got off the train and for a moment I almost panicked. I had specifically chosen to do this trip solo. And, for a second almost wished I hadn't. There's a lot of comfort being able to cross check your decisions with another person. Like"I think it's over here. Uh, no, it's this way." Alone, you kind of have to just go for it.

First I went to the information center and got a map. Which, by the way, was one of the most frustrating maps I've dealt with yet. There's no way to look at the thing without looking like a complete tourist. Particularly as you're having to shuffling it front to back constantly to figure out where you want to go and what metro line you should take. With my quickly growing travel expertise, I give it a 3 out of 10 for travel friendliness.

First thing I went to was St. Stephens Cathedral. It was beautiful and huge. Knowing the connection between Budapest and Vienna, it was hard not to compare their churches. So far I think I like St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest better. I know they're obviously very different, but Vienna's didn't seem to be as well taken care of, or as pristine.

After St. Stephen's, I then found the Mozarthause which was conveniently just around the corner. That was really cool. While he was living there, he wrote the Marriage of Figaro. For a while it was known as the Figaro Hause. I was taking pictures during the tour and came across a paper with Mozart's signature next to his father's. I'm trying desperately to take a non-blurry picture when this man sneaks up on the side of me and whispers  in my ear "I'm watching you." I look at him shocked/horrified, trying to decide how the heck am I supposed to respond to that? Then he points to the video cameras in the corner and shaking his finger at me says, "no pictures".  Good golly, that was a creepy way to say "please, stop."

I only had a limited time as I had to catch the 8 pm train back to Graz. So, after the tour I quickly grab a bite to eat at a cafe. I order something that's described a meat filled pancake. It winds up looking and tasting like a Goulash filled Crepe. Very tasty.  

After lunch I head over to the Opera house to catch one of the last tours for the day. It was very beautiful. And very big, I might add. Again, I couldn't help but compare the opera house to Budapest's. While I think I would rather perform in Vienna's, I would definitely rather attend Budapest's. Vienna's was bigger, but Budapest's was far prettier in my opinion. No wonder the Emperor was pissed when he went to the opening performance. He told Hungary they couldn't build their opera house bigger than Vienna's but he forgot to say it couldn't be more beautiful.

After the tour, I took my friend's advice and found a dessert cafe across the street from the Opera house. Mt friend says most opera houses have really fine dessert places near them. I stopped at a place and they didn't have much. But, I went against my gut to keep looking, and ordered something anyway. The dessert wasn't great. I should have listened to myself and tried to find another place, but oh well.

After cake, I went walking around seeing various churches and statues. I really enjoyed this part because I could walk or stay and take pictures at my leisure. As a result, I was pleased with a number of shots that came out. But, there were a lot of horse drawn carriages everywhere, I had to be careful to pay attention and not get run over. Can't be too leisurely in the middle of the street...

Well, after missing my intended morning train, I made sure to get to the train station super early. I was pretty exhausted since I didn't get much sleep. And, I still had packing to look forward to when I got back to the dorm.

Well, at this point, I think this is my last post about my summer in Europe. Thanks to everyone who has followed my posts and continued to read. It's been fun sharing, and I hope you've enjoyed reading.

Last Concert

So I just woke up and realized. "Whoa. Where did my summer go?" Tonight is our last concert performing Bartok's Marvelous Mandarin with Paris Opera conductor, Marius Stieghorst. The concert is also the final round to the meistersinger vocal competition. The rehearsals with Marius have been wonderful. I am both excited and terrified to play under him. If we can have favorites, he is definitely my favorite to work with since being here.

Let me remind myself again. Tonight is our LAST concert. 

I think if it weren't for the proof of my picture taking, blog writing, and journal entries I would go "Wait, it's over? But, I didn't do anything yet."

I'll miss being woken up every morning at 5 am by the Mail Truck crashing into the courtyard and dropping (I literally mean, dropping) off the mail.

I could create an endless list of the things I'll miss, like the sparkling mineral water (I have become quite the addict). Or mention how I will need withdrawal support not being able to have gelato everyday (sometimes twice, #noshame). It's been hot as the Oklahoma Prairie over here. Don't judge.

But, maybe not right now.

What I do know is that I'll be thinking of Europe a lot this up coming year. Just even processing my time here will take a while. My appetite for world travel has been awakened and been found hungry. At this point I have no idea if I'll come back to AIMS. But, after coming here, I realized this world just got smaller. There's lots to explore and it's too small to be making excuses anymore not to see it.

Tomorrow, I have a single day off before my plane takes me back to the great US of A. What am I doing with it? Well, today after our dress rehearsal I'm once more, and last more, going to the train station to buy myself a ticket. A ticket to Vienna. I had intended to get over there earlier, but you really can't do everything while you're here. Though in many respects I've certainly tried. I'll leave for vienna on the 5:30 train and come back to Graz at about 1am. I'm doing this trip solo, to which I'm looking forward.

I don't regret any of my time here.
And I think that says something.

Church in Styria

So, today I played my first church service in Europe, performing a Mozart Mass. It was a special service, with the Bishop in attendance. It was the last service the Benedictine Monks are serving in Styria. I found this out afterwards from someone who understood what was being said during the service. The monk, who was in charge of the order here in Styria, passed away in an accident and apparently they were unable(?) to find a replacement. So, from what I understand, they are now leaving the area.

The church was a modest building, which was honestly refreshing. After seeing all the ornate alters and stained glass windows, it was nice to be able to worship in a building that feels like it reflects my position before God and not the other way around. I don't think the simpleness is anything to be ashamed of.

I think I've said it before, but these ornate churches require (from me) a special humbleness to worship in them. To not get caught up in the glory of something man made, but rather the beauty and glory of God that is reflected. It is honestly not something I'm used to. (That's not to say I haven't been in nature or a beautiful place, and been moved by the beauty of God reflected. But, they are seldom designated places of worship). But, even knowing the purpose of these churches, it's proven more difficult than I imagined to feel able to come before God as I am: dirty and in need of sanctification. When I come before God, I know I have little to offer. But, sometimes seeing what's around me, causes me to wonder if maybe other people have something to offer. That's neither true nor the point, I realize. But, regardless, it's sometimes difficult to enter in knowing who I am and how God sees me and not speculate at what everyone else looks like and has to offer.

This brings me to this post I keep thinking about that I read earlier this week...

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/10/its-just-a-fking-little-16th-note-but-you-have-to-play-it/

...Good art really does expose who you are. What your strengths and you weaknesses are. I've recognized that early on with Bach, like the post above mentions. Which is one of the reasons why I think I require extra courage to play it the older I get. But, I never expected a building to expose my weaknesses: my tendency to compare myself to everyone around me. When what I need to be doing is looking towards my perfection in Christ. But, this building also shows my strengths. Being able to see the beauty around me, for who it is. The strength to appreciate, to soak in, and fully experience. And, my desire to enter into worship wherever I go.

I like the honesty with being laid bare. Coming as you are. For that is the only way we can come before Jesus. It's Jesus, adorned, who comes before us, inviting us in.

These places, they all just lay me bare differently.

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Well, this afternoon after church I had a lovely day to myself. I went out to lunch and had one of my favorite greek dishes: Dolmathakia. And, of course, some baklava.

I then went to the park and set up my hammock and commenced to have some quiet time with God, completed by a wonderful nap afterwards. For the record, I only fell out of my hammock once. Everyone here is trying to find ways to combat the heat (it's 99 degrees and almost 10 pm). Blurg. Most people went swimming (which I did yesterday and will do again tomorrow). But, today, I decided to take to the shade and read beneath some trees. Quite rewarding if you ask me, and well worth it.

Dolmathakia

Baklava

Wagner: Götterdämmerung

So yesterday was the 2nd concert of our Wagner program. The first concert was in a Casino here in Graz. Yesterday, we took a 3 hour bus ride to do a run out concert in the town of Millstatt, which is situated by the Gurktal Alps. We performed in the Millstatt Abbey, which was established in 1070. It has been renovated, some of the dates I saw on the building dating back to the 1500's and even 1600's.

Main Hall Sanctuary

The side wing chapel

Well, as usual I could go on just talking about the city, the church, or everything else really. But this concert was one of my favorites, for one reason: getting to perform with Linda Watson, Wagnerian Soprano.

This concert was difficult in that it was Wagner: Which means a lot of notes (many unplayable), not a lot of time to do them, and it's all thick with emotion. Basically, it's really hard work. I like Wagner, I do. But, after the second rehearsal was almost over, I was less than enthused. Probably more a combination of being exhausted than anything to do with the music, but I was ready for this concert to be over. Then, came our last piece, Brünnhilde's final aria from Götterdämmerung and in walks Linda. During the aria, Brünnhilde "calls out to Loge to set fire to Valhalla and destroy once and for all the gods who have caused her such pain. She then lights Siegfried's funeral pyle, mounts her house, and rides directly into it." 

Hearing her sing made it even more difficult to play Wagner, because I wanted to just listen. Talking with people afterwards, many of us experienced similar reactions. We didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. Whatever we felt, what we heard was other worldly.

It's moments like that, as a musician, that keeps you coming back. Even when it's hard, being a part of that "other worldly experience" makes all that difficult passage work worthwhile and is soon forgotten.

Well, that's all. Here's a few more pictures around the town. Also, I snapped a picture of a statue of Lorenzo Da Ponte, (my favorite) Librettist to Mozart. I don't know if that means he just lived here for a while or if he wrote at all while he was here. But, either way, that's pretty cool.

waiting for the start of the concert

The Millstatt Abbey from the outside

inside the courtyard

Budapest

Where to begin, where to begin. Sometimes the longer you wait to post something, the harder it is to decide what to write about.

I'm a little late in posting since I didn't take my computer this last weekend. Remember that mental note in Zagreb about needing to pack lighter? Yeah, I took it to heart.

We had 4 days off this past weekend and I chose to go to Hungary with my friend Yuqi (pronounced, Yoo-chee). We went to the train station and found a direct train to Budapest. And, boy was that a blessing. On the way there, we soon realized, as much as we don't know German, it looks comprehensible compared to Hungarian. We're so glad we didn't have to worry about getting off and on at the right stops. We just waited until the end of the line, a mere 5 hour train ride later.

Our tour guide, Balazs with King Stephan

When we arrived at the train station, we immediately found the traveler's haven, the big blue i, aka information center. We soon got our tourist guide and a bought a Budapest Card which gave us free city transportation, 2 tours (1 of Buda, and 1 of Pest), free admittance to museums, and a free entry to the Lukas Bath House. I think it was a really good deal and recommend it to anyone who winds up traveling to Budapest.

As fate would have it we arrived at our super cheap hostel (6 € each per night, go us!) to find out it's a film and arts dorm that's being used as a hostel during the summer. Can't get away from the fact that I'm an arts student, can I...

It was easier to write as things were going on, so here's an entry from my journal---
So it's been a good 2nd day in Budapest. It's very hot, and very sunny. It might break 100 degrees today. Unfortunate that I forgot my sunglasses in our room. We took a tour of Old Buda (on the west side of the Danube River). It was smaller than I imagined. Most of the "important" buildings were across the river on the Pest side. The one government building that is still there is the President's building. We got to see the changing of the guards, which was pretty neat. The drummer smiled at me as they marched by :)

Apparently there are only 4 original buildings left on the Buda side after the WWII bombings. Many have been rebuilt, others left to remember the destruction that happened here.

We had a hard time finding the metro after lunch. We had goulash soup, again.

Goose Liver Pate, yummm!

Goulash No. 1

Goulash No. 2

Tiramisue 

It was different than last night's, but just as good. I realize the fountains and monuments can distract you so that you completely miss the very thing you're looking for, like the entrance to the underground metro... whoops.

Opera House

The King, and now president, is the only one allowed in that booth

We took a tour of the opera house, which was worth it if nothing else for the historical guide. It was absolutely beautiful, but it made it so much better understanding what was going on during the time they were building it. Particularly why they did what they did with the construction. The attention to detail is not like anything you see any more. Vienna was the capitol of the Austrian-Hungarian empire at the time, and Budapest was the next largest city. Realizing the relationship between Budapest and Vienna, I now very much want to see Vienna. The opera house, by royal command was not supposed to be bigger than the opera house in Vienna. On opening night, the Emperor came and then left half way through the performance. He never again came back to Opera house, though his wife, Queen Sissy came often for social purposes. They say he never returned because he was angry that he neglected to say that the building couldn't be more beautiful than Vienna. ---"In all fairness, oh King, you only said it couldn't be bigger..."---

We traveled to the Art Museum in Hero Square. The whole square was built to commemorate the 1000 year anniversary of the settling(?) of Budapest.

Our last day, Monday we had time to see Parliament (which is on the east bank of the Danube) before we caught our train back to Graz. We got to see the crown and scepter of their first King, King Stephen, which from what I understand, had been used for all king coronations since then. The legacy of "things" here continues to astonish me. Something that's been used for such a specific purpose, much less has survived for over 1000 years,  takes my breath away. And... I'm okay with that.

The outside is always under cleaning construction due to the nature of the materials

We also saw St. Stephen's Basilica. Which, random fact, contains the right hand of St./King Stephen. I passed on paying money to see that. I instead saw the inside of the church which is the most beautiful church I've seen, yet.

Outside

Side Wing

Center of the church, with dome above

  

Concert No. 3- Schlossberg

Inside the concert hall- it was an old prison.

So, concert no. 3 tonight at the Schlossberg, Graz's initial fortress and town center during the middle ages. The concert hall is an old converted prison. The prison cells, now private booths, can be seen in the picture. The music this concert is amazing by itself, but in a place like this, it's taken to a whole new level of life.

Tomorrow is our 4 day break and I'm taking the 6 am (eeek!) direct train to Budapest with a friend. I can't wait. People keep giving me ideas for things to do, and I can't see how we'll be able to do it all in 4 days. Everyone says its an usual but beautiful city.

I'll write more later as I need to get dressed and ready for the concert. We're playing a lot of Verdi, Mozart's Don Giovanni (my favorite!) and some Beethoven and Handel. It's a difficult program for keeping up the energy and focus, but a wonderful program to play. Tchuss!

The view from the tram to the top of the mountain. Guten Tag, Graz!

Zagreb

We left Pula Sunday morning and arrived in Zagreb later that afternoon. We had tried to contact our new friend Ivanna, the art curator we met on the train on Friday, but for some reason her phone wasn’t working. She had invited us to stay with her when we came back to Zagreb and we were hoping to take her offer or at least hang out with her for the day. We didn’t actually get a hold of her until after we arrived at the place we booked in Zagreb at airbnb.com (which if you want a hostel alternative this is a great site).

We agreed to meet in main square after we got our next day’s train ticket. Along the way, we came across some beautiful monuments and fountains (taking pictures of course). When we got to the square, there was a local crafts market where I found some really beautiful pressed flower jewelry.  I bought a ring as a souvenir.

Our friend, Ivana

We found Ivanna and she gave us a tour around Zagreb showing us her favorite spots. Croatians are so warm and inviting. I have moments where I don't know how to respond because it's so unusual to me. 

The most exciting part for me was when we got to see the churches. Before coming to Europe, I had hoped that I would be able to experience local folk music and spontaneous music making. One moment where I experienced this was, on the way to Pula, the bus stopped at a gas station/restaurant rest stop. On the patio of the restaurant, there were lots of people playing music, singing, and dancing. I secretly hoped that we could have stayed and joined in, but unfortunately the bus was leaving again in 10 minutes. This is what I was hoping I’d come across in my travels. 

In Zagreb's St. Catherine’s Church, there was a folk music festival going on with a large choir in native Croatian dress singing religious folk music. It was so beautiful to listen to- if I wasn’t with other people I could have stayed all evening. I really hope that I get to experience more things like that.

St. Catherine's Church

Folk Music Festival Choir

I did have an interesting experience regarding the Croatian religious culture within the churches. I have wanted to be respectful of the fact that the churches we go in are places of worship. As a tourist, it’s easy to go in, snap a few pictures, and not really experience the place as it was intended: A place for humbling worship. I quickly realized, if I take pictures, I have to sit down, pray and worship or I miss the real experience of the church.

With that said, I walked into a church completely in awe of the unusual stained glass (it was about the seven days of creation, and the 4 elements earth, wind, fire, and water). An older woman came up to me and started scolding me in Croatian. I knew I was doing something wrong, but I had no idea what it was. Then she came up to me and lightly slapped my leg above my knee (I was wearing shorts). She then commenced to tell me in English that I should be ashamed of myself. It was quite an experience.

As we leave the church, Ivanna explains that it’s disrespectful for a woman to go into a church without covering her shoulders, arms, and legs. Whoops.

I’m just thankful that they allow tourists to come in to their place of worship at all. They could very well say no.

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Well, this morning I got up and looked at my alarm and it said 7 am. I sat straight up, and woke Priscilla up saying we need to leave right now. Our train, and the only one to Graz for today, leaves at 7:25. My alarm, set for 6:15, didn't go off. With running, praying, riding the tram, and more praying and running we hopped on the train seconds before it left. We found our friends from AIMS in one of the cars and sat down sweating with heavy heaving. Thank you Jesus, we made it. Traveling en route to Pula I realized I packed way too much in my pack for this trip. But, running across Zagreb with my pack? I definitely packed too much. 

Mental Note No. 2: Pack for agility not obnoxiously over-preparedness.  

Zagreb in the evening

Pula

So at the moment I'm in Pula waiting for our bus to take us back to Zagreb. Pula has been amazing. Croatia in general has been amazing from the beginning, Priscilla and I both don't want this weekend to end. We still have one more day (we're leaving for Graz monday afternoon), which we plan using to see the monuments and museums in Zagreb.

We left Graz by train that morning at around 10:30 with two other friends from AIMS. We stopped in Zidani Most, Slovenia for a few hours waiting for our next train. We went seperate ways at the bus station in Zagreb, as they were going on to Split and we to Pula.

People have been so friendly, it's been really welcoming. On the train we sat in a car with a lady and her mother. We find out that the mother is a retired english teacher from Zagreb. The daughter is an art curator. We talk about the general dwindling support of artists and classical art. We decide we should all move to Brazil where the artists are all well supported. After the train ride, the art curator invites us to stay at her house when we return to Zagreb so we don't have to pay to stay at a hostel.

We arrived late Friday night after taking 2 trains and a bus to Pula. We walked past our hostel 2 times before seeing it. It was heavily under construction and looked like it was boarded up. We buzzed the front desk to open the outer doors for us. We were exhausted from traveling all day. Coming in to our room, we woke up 4 other girls. 2 from Holland and I can't remember where the other 2 were from. It was very cold in our room. It was the first time I've slept with air conditioning since coming to Europe. I loved it. But, unfortunately, it was too cold for my roommate (we didn't have blankets) so she couldn't sleep.

Saturday, we walked to the beach (45-60 minutes away) for the morning after breakfast. It was like the whole town was asleep, no one was up. On the way, we realized our map sucks. The rest of the day trying to explore the Roman ruins and monuments only confirmed our first impression.

I'll write/post pictures of the ruins, churches, and town later. But, for now here's pictures of the food. The seafood was delicious, the calamari especially was AMAZING!

Croatia

My first real weekend off is this weekend. Before writing this I changed my mind on where I was going and what I was going to do half a dozen times. It was borderline crazy frustrating and stressful, before slipping into a free spirited "whatever happens, happens" mentality.  Part of it has been out of my control and the other part, well, I just didn't know any better.

Now that I'm back from going to the train station, my roommate and I now have a one way ticket to Zagreb, Croatia. Within the past two days I thought I was going to Szombathely, Hungary to catch the last concert of the Bartok Festival followed by a trip to Vienna. After my roommate found out her plane ticket to Paris got canceled, we regrouped and decided to take our next weeks trip to Croatia, now. Flexibility is the name of the game. And might I add adaptablity sprinkled with courage?

The first obstacle was trying to find transportation. Since coming here, everyone has said cars were far cheaper than traveling by train if you could split them with other people. Seemed simple enough. Simple enough until actually driving them. Aha... Yes, apparently in Europe, all the cars they have are manual. A slight problem for your average automatic driving american such as myself. I have driven a manual all of 5 times, and that was last summer. Maybe a max of an hour behind the wheel. As much as I would like to tell myself I'm a quick learner, I don't think traipsing across European countries where you don't speak the language, in a vehicle you don't really know how to operate, is a wise idea. Yeah, probably not. The manual cars are close to 100 euros a day with rare availability, verses manuals which are a welcoming 30 euros a day. Mental note: Learn to drive stick when I get back to the states.

We moved on after calling over a dozen car rental places just trying to find an available automatic that wasn't 400 euros for the weekend. This was the part where I was stressed.

We regrouped. Again.

Time for me to look at this picture of this beautiful forrest I hiked through last week. See, better already.

We have since found a train that will take us where we'd like to go: A little time at the beach in Pula and then some time in the city Zagrab exploring Roman ruins and the like.

I feel like at the end of all this, I will be a guru european travel master. Or maybe I'll just be the ultimate zen master from learning to let all of this travel stress just slide off my back. Either way, I will become a master. Of something. I know it.

Which by the way, in Graz the European Choir Games going on right now. I sit by new people from all over Europe everyday at lunch. It's really cool, actually. Yesterday, I sat at a table with a guy and a girl from Latvia. They both knew Latvian, Russian, and English. Most people seem to know 2 if not 3 different languages. I think it's about time I start really learning a language. Like yesterday.

Schloss Eggenberg

So, you'll have to forgive me. I'm falling behind on posting; I'm just going to have to write about them when I have the time. At this point during festivals I usually fall off the blogging band wagon never to return till the last day. So, in comparison to times past, I'm doing well.

On Sunday (14th) we (AIMSers) were invited to a palace outside of Gras called the Schloss Eggenberg for a governors reception. We were quite honored to be invited to go. The paintings and rooms are so delicate, that human perspiration causes them to deteriorate. Functions then at the palace are extremely rare. Apparently Prince Ulrich von Eggenber built it with fantastic symbolism. The room we gathered in, called the planet room, with paintings and carvings of all the great planetary gods.

Planetary room

The planetary room 

There were a number of them across the gardens

I only found this out after I left, but apparently the outside towers were supposed to represent the 4 seasons, and there are 365 windows, one for each day of the year. The gardens were my favorite, with numerous beautiful wandering peacocks. And, did I mention, we all dressed up. I felt like I was on my way to a ball. It was pretty awesome :)

Walking up to the palace

My roomie in the courtyard

Prince Eggenberg's personal Chapel

Almost time for speeches

Can you tell that I already ate one?

This one was my favorite- yum!

she is too!

having a great time!

Good night, palace!