Day 083: Celebrating the spirit of humanity
10/24/07 07:02 PM Filed in: Austria
| sightseeing
36yearsago.com
Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing &
friends.
Day 83
— Celebrating the spirit of humanity
24-October-1971
(Sun.)
TRANSCRIPT
Baden
Found out that Academy rooms are open today. So I
went to practice. As a result, I missed church (one
of the very few times).
The day is extremely beautiful (summer-ish) and thus,
I am about to leave for Baden—might as well start
seeing the countryside.
The ride took over 1 hr. and the countryside wasn’t
much to look at. It became much nicer once around the
smaller towns near Baden.
The reason I like to walk around is that you see people—how they are living; how they can enjoy themselves. For example, on this trip, I noticed the following observations:
(1) In the Rosarium (by the way, the roses were all dead), a little girl saw a collie and said “Mummy—Lassie.” Influence of American culture.
(2) Older people are very hearty. The climb up paths in the hills that are long and exerting, but that doesn’t stop the elderly. I would like to see Americans of the same age do that.
In fact, climbing up this same, very long, exerting route was—a man with one leg. I admire him.
(4) Man sitting on the path with his 2 young sons—they were learning English.
(6) Sitting in a restaurant, there was a small deer (stuffed). At least 4 small kids came over to pet it. I was the 5th.
(7) Walking by a playground—kids are going wild. The same all over.
REFLECTIONS
Today’s post is a long one and a non-technical one. I’m out in nature today. Thank God for variety, and for the time to take an occasional walk out in the fresh air and to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Started the day with my routine. I miss church (1st time) and, instead, practice at the Academy. The practice rooms are now open. Remember when I complained that they were closed on weekends?
An aside.
How do I create this blog and titles? How do I come up with my post titles? Here is how I create the blog. In Microsoft Word, I transcribe the journal text, then write my reflections. Sometimes I do this in one sitting, or split it up between early morning and late evening. Then I give the post a quick reading and a bit of proofing. After this quick reading, I then come up with a title. Then I copy to Rapidweaver, create the blog entry, add photos, and post to the Internet.
Why the aside? Because...
Today’s title is “Celebrating the spirit of humanity.”
That I wrote observations means that I have taken my journal with me that day. I could not remember such detail otherwise. I’m glad I took it.
I absolutely love the “spirit of humanity” that comes out of these observations. The spirit of man/woman to rise up above war wounds that were no fault of their own, and living their life fully. The spirit of the elderly to be outside, exercising, and appreciating nature. (John, age 22, is out of breath on this hike, while many elderly and a veteran without a leg are just fine.) A father teaching English to his sons. Kids everywhere being kids. The play and spontaneity of kids all around the world is heartening. I need to remember to appreciate this wonderful capability that we all have to rise above our problems and to enjoy life.
The spirit of humanity is wonderful.
Baden. Baden is the famous spa town south of Vienna, and in the southern Vienna Woods. It is known for its spas, hot pools, sulfur water and health treatments. Spas in Baden date back to Roman times. The resorts were popular in the early 19th century with the Imperial Court of Vienna. The Kurpark I mention, extends from the town to the Vienna Woods. In 1971, I didn't know any of this, otherwise I might have brought my bathing suit. Next time, maybe I'll do a mud bath. Not to complain, I was there for an exhilarating walk, and walk I did.
See you tomorrow.
John
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