I am currently unable to upload the pictures onto the main site (it just links them), even though most of my posts are written and done. Unfortunately for me, this was meant as a photoblog, and I am entirely out of ways to fix it so that it actually fulfills that definition. When I figure it out, I’ll post the last couple days.
For now, click on the links to see the pictures.
Still broken: 2.12.13 . . . 
Left: The interior of the Klosterneuburg Monastery that Alex gave us a tour of.
Right Top: One of my favorite spaces of the monaster–where they used to store the wine.
Right Bottom: (L to R) Jane, Me, Alex, and Mary Kate in front of the monastery.
We attempted to navigate the Austrian train station, which proved a complete failure. One English-speaking station worker, three trains, a twenty-minute walk, and an hour and a half later, we managed to meet Alex at the monastery where he works as a tour guide. His skills at this job proved useful, as we met a canon who showed us the monastery’s organ from 1648, the place where they had been producing wine for 900 years, and the grand interior of the church. That night, we attended an Austrian operetta called The Bet.
http://www.stift-klosterneuburg.at/
“They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.” ~Psalm 22:18
Left Top: The Roman Arena built in 30 AD that could house up to 30,000 people.
Left Bottom: (L to R) Mary Kate, Jane, and I standing in front of the gorgeous scenery.
Right Top: Near Juliet’s balcony, where people will buy locks, write their names, and lock them to the gate on a wall.
Right Middle: So much gum.
Right Bottom: Looking back at the bridge.
^^^Well, as you can see, WordPress still isn’t really working for me. But considering it hasn’t let me upload pictures for over two weeks, I think even this is an improvement. Just click on the link to see the picture.
We traveled an hour by train to visit a smaller place in Italy called Verona, which is commonly known for what is supposedly Juliet’s balcony, from the famous Shakespeare play. There was a wall filled with gum (two lovers chewed it and then stuck it on), and a wall with locks on it (lovers write their initials and lock it to the fence provided–much more sanitary). However, Verona is also a very beautiful place, which was what we mostly admired it for. At night, we jumped on a plane to Vienna to meet Jane’s and my flatmate, Alex (also known as Austria).
“‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” ~Jeremiah 31:3b
Left Top: A view from the campanile in St. Mark’s Square.
Left Bottom: (L to R) Jane, Mary Kate, and me on the bottom of the island of Venice.
Right Top: One of the famous Venetian masks.
Right Bottom: Some of the gondolas, covered for winter.
Venice
I can understand why so many tourists flock to this picturesque city–they’re afraid that if they go later, it will be completely underwater. Haha, no, I’m just kidding.
But Venice is an incredible place worth every second of its touristic approach. Built on piers of Slovenian wood, the city holds many churches, towers, and a number of incredibly famous architectural features. It’s almost impossible to turn a corner without finding something of significance. In some places, it appears the citizens got bored or ran out of room and decided to build something directly in front of a historical facade.
I don’t really think that Venice runs on many industries besides tourism, which is somewhat eerie to think about, as there aren’t really malls, business firms, hardware stores, or the like, and they can’t exactly have urban sprawl.
“In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands . . . You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress.” ~Isaiah 17:7-8,10
Mary Kate (L) and Jane (R) after our first dinner in Venice.
I met Mary Kate and Jane at the airport this morning. I had come from London, but they had traveled all the way from Swansea by train. Everything went fine, though we ended up waiting an hour and a half for the next bus into Venice, and it turns out that there were two hostels with the same name, and I had written down the wrong address. Oops . . . So after jumping on a bus out of Venice and then taking the train back, we ate dinner and finally made it to our hostel to crash for the night.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” ~Deuteronomy 7:9
We played Monopoly the morning (1-2am) that I left. Those are Austria’s properties, and the dog and the Advent-calendar penguin wreaked havoc on it. Haha.
So, after less than two hours of sleep, I turned in my second paper, said my final goodbyes, and, with all my luggage, headed to . . . Ultimate frisbee practice!!! Haha. True story. I just really needed to do something physical so I could get rid of some tension from packing.
Anyway, two people I know here–Jane (my flatmate, also from ISU) and Mary Kate–and I are headed off to do a ten-day trip around Europe: Venice, Verona, Vienna, and Prague. I am leaving Swansea today at 4pm to stay overnight in London with a friend from high school–Kim. She’s graciously letting me store my biggest luggage in her room for ten days. And then it’s off to Stansted and Venice!
(P.S. I will continue to post about the things we do, but I will not be able to do photo collages or much editing.)
“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind! . . . He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—let not the rebellious rise up against him.” ~Psalm 66:5,7
Right Bottom: (L to R) Jane, Me, Alex, and Mary Kate in front of the monastery.” src=”http://jlavision.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/12-10-12monastery.jpg” width=”510″ height=”437″ />
