It was thanks to Linda Noble that I met Bruce and Kelly Branson. . .with whom I rendezvoused in Vienna for a delightful evening (it was through them that I found the fabulous restaurant - Amberlingbiesl). .. they were also in Europe with a student group from NCSU. They are for the next several weeks back in Prague. ..
Now here comes my favorite (next to the obvious food part) of Vienna: the Hindertwasser-Krawina House. If you are looking for cultural enrichment, google Hindertwasser to discover my favorite new artist. This 'house' is actually a small housing area of Vienna (which you can find with some diligence and a good map) created by this artist / architect team. A fanciful play of mosaics and lines and color to create a truly unique space. I fell in love with it.
So. .. Vienna was our 'easing into' Eastern Europe portion of the trip. By the end of our two days 14 of our 16 team members had all arrived as expected (more about those other two later as they arrive in due time. . .). We spent two days seeing Vienna and then came together on our final morning in the city for our first immersion into the theme of the trip: Peace and Conflict studies. On Monday morning we went to the Hofberg Palace (which now houses various national libraries and offices) to meet Kyle Scott, a deputy secretary with OSCE - the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Just let me say, we have since formed the Klye Scott fan club. An articulate, thoughtful and incredibly insightful 'briefing' (impressive that we had a 'briefing' huh?) about politics and peace in Eastern Europe. I think three members of our group are now seriously considering careers in international diplomacy. This was a foundational session for the rest of our trip. As a kid who grew up in the sixties and was shaped by the popularization of the peace symbol (I had a cool wooden necklace that prolaimed it) and the hopeful tunes of Peter, Paul and Mary et. al. . . I imagined that somehow we were 'getting it' and someday this peace thing would truly be a reality. The sobering portrayal of the scene we are moving in to as we head ot Bosnia painted by Kyle Scott, together with the several decades of life experience which keep rocking my youthful idealism. ... I realize more and more that the 'peace' theme of this trip, is quite a lofty challenge.
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2 comments:
Hello sistah!
I am so glad you are writing this blog! Thank you for sharing this experience with all of us! I can't wait to read more.... I am having a good experience in Australia - Yesterday I got to meet "Joeys" - hung out with the roos for quite awhile - so cool! Keep the news coming - Love you lots and sending smiles - CHO
I'm glad you're exploring that reflection theme for this trip, in those countries. Can't wait to learn more!
Also I do very much believe that the "Aha" realization(s) of "this is what I want to do with my life" happens outside of the classroom more often than not.
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