It's been two days since I've gotten back from Vienna and I am stunned by how much I miss it. Going into the trip, I wasn't very excited. Not to say that I didn't want to go because I did but I didn't stay up late at night because of my excitement. I think I realized how exciting Vienna was on the second day during "My Vienna Day". We had decided to go to City Hall to have a FREE tour, go to Schloss Schonbrunn and the gardens, and finally hit up St. Charles Church. Not all of that happened. But what we were able to do was amazing! At the end of the day I was disappointed that we weren't able to do more! 

That is ultimately how I feel about the trip to Vienna: there was so much to see and do and I feel like I did nothing. Long story short Vienna is amazing and I hope to go back there someday. 

Vienna Post: A Blog Post About Vienna

 A couple of days ago, I was in Vienna. It's a beautiful city full of history and interesting places and my time there has left me with the realization that the weather in Bonn is quite warm and comfortable. We saw a lot of cool things- medical museums with wax models, dancing horses, a string quartet, a couple of polar bears, and some neatly cut trees. The food was excellent. There was expensive chocolate that was definitely worth it, and I got VERY acquainted with a full rack of ribs one night. I had a deeply spiritual experience while eating a sausage that had been injected with melted cheese. Looking back on it, I would have to say that my absolute most favorite thing about Vienna was how simple the subway system was. I would go back just to go from point A to B with minimal mental activity.

 This post is hard to write. I feel like I'm trying to recall a dream that I had three nights ago. It was all so interesting and enjoyable, but so busy and I think that's why it's hazy in my mind now. My most concrete thought about Vienna is that I like it a lot and I want to go back at some point.

Bye, Vienna.

Last night was probably the best sleep I've had this trip! Vienna was amazing and so beautiful that I wish we could have stayed longer. I really enjoyed the Josefinum and the Narrenturm the most, but the rest of the city was wonderful, too. The tour that Dr. Schnabel/Wasser gave was really interesting, especially when he made us drink various sketchy yellow liquids to save us from the plague. My favourite parts were seeing the situs inversus and the ectopic pregnancy at the Narrenturm, and the old elevators in the Vienna Rathaus! I'll probably never forget the creepy Sisi doll in the palace, either. That crazy weave alone was enough to scare me. The tram system there was also much more manageable than the one in Bonn - that was definitely a perk. I'm still really glad to be back in Bonn. I missed the cheap food and my host family. Now after just one signals test, its Karneval! And maybe Amsterdam! Yas.

Draw me like one of your french girls...

I don't think I've been to physiology in two weeks, and it has been awesome! Not that I don't enjoy it or find it immensely interesting, but there has been so much going on! Even though we haven't had class, we've still been getting a healthy dose of physiology while in Vienna. From the beginnings of psychoanalysis and Freud, to 18th century anatomical models that show a great picture of how the Viennese may have learned, and an historical tour from the great Dr. Schnabel this trip has been an awesome real world examination of medicine and it's history. 

Brain tickling

I have finally begun to reach the level of intellectual stimulation I desired! I went to the theatre performance by Loyal Marymount University at the AIB on Friday night and it was the most uncomfortable I have been since I visited a Masaii warrior tribe when I was 10 years old and the Masaii men jumped and swung their hair in my face as a part of their ritualistic dancing ceremony. I think being put far outside of my comfort is a necessary and positive thing, so it was actually fun to watch this strange performance that I didn't fully comprehend because my perspective on what is acceptably "normal" has expanded. On Saturday, I continued the stretching of my perspective by going to a modern art museum called the Kunst Museum in Bonn. One piece at the exhibit is difficult to describe through words, but made me feel such strong emotions, I want to be sure to never forget. As an engineer, I struggle with the lack of functionality of art. I realized though that the purpose of art is to evoke emotion, and I felt strong and inexplicable reaction to this particular piece of art. Basically, there was a small room made of plywood that you entered and darkness immediately enveloped you. As your eyes adjust, there are lines of light that move and occasionally intersect, all while there is soft music playing. I felt disconnected from my body as I experienced this piece of art and it was wonderful to view myself from a distant perspective.

On a more regimented intellectual note, classes are also starting to become challenging, which is exciting! I've even been reading for pure enjoyment, which is something that I haven't done for years but is extremely satisfying.

Hoping this upward trend continues! I am so excited for future travels as well.

Welcome to Deutschland!

Almost three weeks into the semester and it seems like time is simultaneously crawling and speeding past me. The weeks are a little strange when I sit to think about it. One day we are taking a trip to Cologne and the next day we are sitting in class for 5 or more hours. It's s bit surreal to think that even though we are thousands of miles away I still hate waking up early for class. Nothing is different. Except the language, the country, the city, the school... 

I've learned the weather here is just as bipolar as Texas weather. Just today I woke up to snow but during lunch it was sunny and beautiful with zero snow and then two hours later it started to rain. 

Welcome to Deutschland!  

Look Out Your Window!!!!

Date: January 31, 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Description: It started to snow again!

Looking out my window and seeing the snow reminded me of how important capturing every moment is important. I decided to do a quick recap on what has happened this week. The major highlight was traveling to Cologne. A quick 30 minute train ride got us to our destination and as soon as we walked out of the train station....There it was the Cologne Cathedral! 

It is one of the largest Cathedrals I have ever seen. It took my breath away, the architecture was just simply stunning. I don't understand how it was possible to build something that large during their time period.

Inside the attention to detail was immaculate! Every corner had beautiful crown molding, statues of saints, and paintings. I was able to go down to the basement where the remains of the three wise men are kept. We were not able to see the gold coffin where they are kept but we were able to enter the chambers where prayer takes place. I was raised a Catholic so being there was unimaginable and a very spiritual moment for me. Wether or not those are the actual remains of the three wise men is a mystery, but I appreciated learning about the Cathedrals history and how they acquired the remains.

The tour of Cologned concluded on the Cathedrals highest tower from where we all witnessed a stunning view of the city and admired its beauty.