Old pictures, new city

So here are some belated pictures. We finally found a place to use our SD cards yay! After another long bus ride and passing through Cesky Krumlov, we arrived in Vienna. Our host made us a wonderful Asian stir fry that was healthy and delicious. We hung out with his children, Francisca (16) and Kristophe (19) and his girlfriend. It was fun to talk with Viennese youth. Kristophe and his girlfriend traveled with Servas last summer through Boston and Chicago so they understood our circumstances. The next morning we left for another host in Vienna whose home I can only begin to describe!

You have to be here to really get the feeling of this house but Ill start by saying it was built by our hosts (Frank) father and finished by Frank himself - using his own two hands. It is BEAUTIFUL and UNIQUE and just amazing. Forget museums, this entire house is a work of art. From the red, iron fence that surrounds the home to the wooden floors, to every piece of art in and out of the house to even the stove that heats the entire house, this entire place is made by hand with love. And the people who inhabit it are just as interesting as the house itself. Besides being a crafty man, Frank teaches biotechnology at the local university. Renate, his wife, treks hundereds of kilometers (entirely on foot - seriously) into the mountains or into forests with a group of people who just like to get up and go whenever they so choose. She told us a beautiful story about seeing a poignant piece of art in a little monastery in the middle of the forest only accesible on foot she saw on her most recent trek. Their youngest daughter makes shoes and has contributed to the beautiful stained glass throughout the house, among other things. One of their daughters is a sculptor who made pieces for a local park besides the ones that line the walls of their home. These are the only two children I met, but I have a feeling their entire family is talented in similar ways.

Karissa and I agree that even though these words about our hosts give you a taste of who they are and how we feel about them, it is nearly impossible to really convey the energy you feel while being in their presence. Our hosts have truly made our trip amazing and to be able to put into words the euphoria of their company would never work...but we try.

Besides the amazing people, Vienna has been great. Even though the weather is pretty sucky (cold and rainy), we like what weve seen so far. We went to a modern art museum yesterday and I felt so rushed (because everything in Europe closes so early! everything is closed by 6pm..no joke) to see all of the pieces because each one demanded several minutes of my time and there were 8 levels! I plan on returning.

Today we ventured out a little bit to see some wineries and are staying in a charming town called Krems with another wonderful host. We will return to our friends in Vienna tomorrow. More to come and enjoy the pics.

I almost forgot! After hearing a cellist on the street yesterday we were inspired to go to the Vienna Orchestra. Another experience I can hardly put into words, but it was the first time where I honeslty felt that I have really felt another culture. The opening number gave me chillbumps. It was incredible. The guitarist was playing two parts just by himself. I think he is really famous or something because people kept clapping for encores and he kept coming out and playing more. So beautiful...so moving...