Time for a Tune-Up

Well I am sitting here at the airport in Vienna…we got here plenty early with all of our luggage to ensure a smooth trip on our part.  We did take an adventuresome cab ride here.  Troy is convinced that we were going 140 Kph.  I really don’t know what that means in mph, but it sounds fast and I know it felt fast.  We also will be having a “burning of the luggage” party when we return.  One of the wheels on my bag is missing an entire side of rubber, which kind of defeats the purpose of a wheel,  and Troy’s handle is coming apart from his suitcase all together.  The last two trips have been a workout lugging that stuff around!

Austria has been wonderful.  Aside from a change in food, the culture is so different.  For example, the first night we arrived in Salzburg we went for a run along the Salzach river.  We then got cleaned up and went to find something to eat around 10pm.  This would have been the perfect time to head out for dinner in Italy, but in Austria things were closing down.  We did get a great recommendation from our concierge and made it in time for dinner, but not for dessert.  I could probably spend a week in Salzburg alone.  It is surround by beautiful lakes, mountains, and of course has a very rich musical heritage.  We did get to go on the Sound of Music Tour…yeah!  I loved it and Troy is definitely a trouper for going along.  Our guide was a bit on the dramatic side and insisted on singing every song from the movie soundtrack…she also insisted that we join her!  I am not sure that Troy has actually seen the entire movie of Sound of Music, but I doubt that he will now.  I, on the other hand, had a wonderful time.  The Sound of Music has been one of my favorite movie’s for a long time.  I think I might have even worn out the VHS 2-tape edition that my Aunt Mary let us watch over and over again. 

Yesterday we spent the day at the Schonbrunn Palace.  Unfortunately, that was all we really got to see in Vienna, just not enough time!  The Palace is an amazing place to visit.  You can go into the living quarters, see where Mozart performed, walk through the beautiful gardens, visit the zoo, find your way through the maze gardens, and visit a few other museums along the way.  

So this trip has come to its conclusion and now it is back to the real world.  I have to admit that I am ready to get back into my regular running routine, start preparing for next school year, and get this recital in shape.  Don’t forget that my recital will be held on the 16th of August at 2pm in the Center Grove Performing Arts Center.  Everyone is invited and I would love to see you in the audience.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me as I have been away for the past month.  I have really enjoyed recounting this trip for you.  It has been an experience of a lifetime and now that my life is giving me a new adventure, I feel ready for the challenge and feel that I have been truly blessed to experience these countries over this summer.  Again, thanks for staying tuned in with me and I’ll see you all soon!

Well we have left Rome and Cinque Terre and are currently in Venice.  This is just an overnight stop, but I am glad we decided to make the trip because I forgot how beautiful this city is.  Of course we took the gondola ride, tried to avoid the pigeons in S. Marco Square, and ate our final cone of gelato.  Now we are ready to experience the culture of a new country, Austria.  I am also ready for something besides pasta, ham sandwiches, and pizza!  We had a 5 hour train ride today and will have about 6 tomorrow.  Unfortunately about half of tomorrow’strip is on a bus…knowing how my last bus ride went you can imagine that I am a little nervous about that trip.  Regardless, we are excited to explore the city of Salzburg which is the home of Mozart and the Sound of Music!  I can’t wait to tell you all about Austria.  Chat with you soon!

For those of you who get a kick out of my traveling drama…you’re gonna love this!  So Troy’s original flight was canceled due to a broken step.  He spent about 6 hours in the Indy airport.  Eventually he got a flight and made it to London and then to Rome.  The problem with all of this is that he had no way to communicate with me…the iphone was dead :(.  I did get to an internet cafe and got the message eventually, but I spent an entire day people watching in the Rome Termini Station…fun, but not that fun!  Of course his luggage didn’t arrive and we’ve been to Sorrento and are back in Rome…still no luggage.  He’s starting to fit in if you know what I mean…poo-tinky. 

Sorrento was amazing.  The coastline was gorgeous and we got to spend the entire first day at the Amalfi beach.  To get to Amalfi from Sorrento you take a charter bus around an exceeding curvy road that is essentially one lane.  The way there was fine, however the way back was not so successful for me.  Motion sickness got the best of me and we had to sprint off the bus to avoid getting sick all over the other bus patrons.  It was kind of reminiscent of the 2008 Florida Choir Trip in which the airplane provided the same experience for some of our students.  Anyway, we got on the next bus and made it down just fine.  We had a wonderful dinner that night and Troy ate the biggest steak I’ve ever seen.  I think he impressed some people that night.  We also went to Pompeii and Vesuvius while in Sorrento. 

Today and tomorrow we are scoping out Rome and we will be in Cinque Terre this weekend.  I will update you all again once we get to Venice.  Have a great weekend!