36 Years Ago

36 Years Ago, Vienna 1971—A Student Journal

Day 356: Final Day—Paris to home, 10 francs

Day 356 — Final Day—Paris to home, 10 francs
23-Jul-1972 (Sun.)

1971 John as hippie
It’s my final day in Europe. 356 days of an incredible European adventure that is coming to an end. An adventure I can never again replicate. I’m still depressed by not being with Anjali today, and today’s post gives an uncharacteristic negative feeling. I’m usually a bit more chipper and positive. Don’t worry, I’ll be ok. I think.

At the end of my day in Paris, I had 10 French francs left. That’s about $2 US. Do I make it home?

Yes. I’m home. Good old, home, sweet home. Hi mom. Hi Mike, Steve, Frank, and Dennis.

Plenty of photos today. See my family. See ALL the pictures of me from 1971.

It was an amazing year.

THE END
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Day 355: Paris and Anjali, 50 francs

Day 355 — Paris and Anjali, 50 francs
22-Jul-1972 (Sat.)

Paris and the Eiffel Tower
Paris, the city of lights, the city of love. I’ve come to Paris to try and see Anjali one more time before I leave for home. What happens? Vous devez lire ce blog pour découvrir—you must read the blog to find out. Lots of photos today and I am rambling on about Anjali. I wonder why?
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Day 353: Olympic Munich; Innsbruck; $65

Day 353 — Olympic Munich; Innsbruck; $65
20-Jul-1972 (Thur.)

Munich in Summer
Globe-trotter John is not content to visit one major city on his trip but goes for two in a single day. It’s a full day of major sightseeing in Munich, which is just wonderful in the summer, and then off to Innsbruck. In Munich, I hit the sights, including the brand-new Olympic swimming stadium (for the Munich 1972 Summer Olympics). Then I eat, drink, and do a bad thing at the famous Haufbraühaus.

In Innsbruck, I only get to chat with Elisabeth before heading off to Wein. The journey is quickly coming to an end.
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Day 352: East Berlin

Day 352 — East Berlin
19-Jul-1972 (Wed.)

TV Tower in Alexanderplatz East Berlin
I’m a tourist today. I proceed through Checkpoint Charlie in the American Sector of West Berlin and head off to East Berlin. It’s modern and built up. I spend an exciting day in communist East Berlin, including visiting some fascinating museums. There are tons of photos today.
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Day 351: John Cage—HPSCHD

Day 351 — John Cage—HPSCHD
18-Jul-1972 (Tue.)

John Cage and David Tudor
Today is the big “happening” of the avant-garde music festival, the multimedia experience of HPSCHD by John Cage in Philharmonic Hall. It was an amazing experience (despite my slight criticism.) A fascinating lecture by computer music composer, John Chowning.
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Day 350: Berlin, spending money

Day 350 — Berlin, spending money
17-Jul-1972 (Mon.)

Berlin expenses 01
A light day of activity in Berlin. I use this opportunity to give the details of some of my money spending in Berlin taken from my “finance journal.” It’s interesting.
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Day 349: Swimming at Wannsee

Day 349 — Swimming at Wannsee
16-Jul-1972 (Sun.)

Berlin loves modern architecture
Today is a day of relaxation and getting sun burnt on the Wannsee. Swimming, nudity, architecture, it’s all part of today’s discussion. I don’t have any pictures of the Wannsee or of nudity.
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Day 348: Boating on the Wannsee

Day 348 — Boating on the Wannsee
15-Jul-1972 (Sat.)

Berlin avenues
A mildly simple day—a lecture and a boat ride with a girl. What? Berlin can have a boat ride? Yes, it’s Lake Wannsee. I find a new travel blog that I like.
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Day 347: Wonderful hausfrau

Day 347 — Wonderful hausfrau
14-Jul-1972 (Fri.)

Castle Charlottenburg
A lighter Berliner day: at the art museum, a computer music lecture, and a disktotek. I’m trying to be wild—but it’s not quite me. The Schloss Charlottenburg is a castle that contains beautiful grounds and museums.
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Day 346: Avant-garde 3

Day 346 — Avant-garde 3
13-Jul-1972 (Thur.)

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche
I am immersed in avant-garde music—day and night—at the continuing music festival in Berlin. At night, it’s Steve Reich and modern dance. During the afternoon break, I’m at the museum of the Berlin Wall.
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Day 345: Avant-garde music, my thoughts

Day 345 — Avant-garde music, my thoughts
12-Jul-1972 (Wed.)

First sight of the Berlin Wall
It’s a big day of much avant-garde music and art. I hear a lot of music today and am a bit critical of things sounding “typical.” That’s typical, of me. The Berlin girls are chic (and bra-less). Berlin is a town for young people.
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Day 344: John Cage, avant-garde festival

Day 344 — John Cage, avant-garde festival
11-Jul-1972 (Tue.)

Avant-garde music festival at the Akadamie der Kunste
I’m in Berlin (West). I spend the day sightseeing and getting ready to go to a series of avant-garde music concerts by John Cage. I talk a lot about John Cage and chance music. Lot’s of photos.
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Day 343: Freedom; East Berlin to Berlin

Day 343 — Freedom; East Berlin to Berlin
10-Jul-1972 (Mon.)

Downtown West Berlin 1972
I travel from Poland through East Germany to West Berlin. The train stop at East Berlin rings the bell of freedom in my mind, once again. I’m in West Berlin. Yes.
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Day 342: Chopin and Dolly

Day 342 — Chopin and Dolly
09-Jul-1972 (Sun.)

Warsaw Old Town Square
My last day in Warsaw is filled with stuff to do. Walks, palace grounds and park areas, concerts—Chopin, men’s choir—and a Polish version of Hello Dolly. Plenty of pictures. On one hand I say Warsaw is drab, on the other hand, it’s beautiful.
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Day 341: Warsaw

Day 341 — Warsaw
08-Jul-1972 (Sat.)

Warsaw Palace of Culture
I arrive in Warsawa today, alone and by myself. I spend most of the day walking around, finally finding a room. My comments speak to the drab architecture of the communist era. Google Warsaw today for images—drab no more, it ain’t.
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Day 340: Last day with family

Day 340 — Last day with family
07-Jul-1972 (Fri.)

I say goodbye to my family in Loczno. They were great. I leave for Warsawa.
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Day 339: Town of Morag

Day 339 — Town of Morag
06-Jul-1972 (Thur.)

Not much today, shopping in a new town—Morag. Better stores. I see my first gypsies.
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Day 338: Shopping in Olystyn

Day 338 — Shopping in Olystyn
05-Jul-1972 (Wed.)

A day of shopping in Olytsyn shows that life in communist Poland was not a consumer’s paradise. I bring my mother-in-law into the picture. Why, you may ask?
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Day 337: Where’s the sickle?

Day 337 — Where’s the sickle?
04-Jul-1972 (Tue.)

Typical sickle on Polish farm
A family day of work in the fields of Loczno. I use a sickle to harvest the crop. Holy, cow.
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Day 336: Good Loczno potatoes

Day 336 — Good Loczno potatoes
03-Jul-1972 (Mon.)

Horse-drawn wagon in Loczno
A casual day with the family in Loczno. Some casual thoughts. Plenty of photos.
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Day 335: My father’s family

Day 335 — My father’s family
02-Jul-1972 (Sun.)

Uncle Nicks house in Loczno
Today, I’m in Warsaw to meet my relatives from the U.S. at the airport. I’m the international greeter, how weird. We drive to Loczno where I meet my father’s side of the family. Read More...

Day 334: Krakow, scenes of life

Day 334 — Krakow, scenes of life
01-Jul-1972 (Sat.)

Krakow church
Today is my second day in Krakow. I spend it as a normal person and take in the sights and offer my thoughts on life in Poland. Lots of photos today.
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Day 333: Krakow adventures

Day 333 — Krakow adventures
30-Jun-1972 (Fri.)

Krakow
I’m in old Krakow today, the medieval Polish city, with some very interesting sightseeing and train station stories. There’s some drinking involved. Photos.
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Day 332: Tylawa, my mother’s birthplace

Day 332 — Tylawa, my mother’s birthplace
29-Jun-1972 (Thur.)

My mothers birthplace
Today is the reason I have come to Poland. I see my mother’s birthplace in the village of Tylawa. What an emotional experience imagining my mother growing up in this beautiful village. I meet a very nice girl, Maria. An incredible day.
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Day 331: Off to Tylawa

Day 331 — Off to Tylawa
28-Jun-1972 (Wed.)

Uncle Gerry and family in Malomice
My relatives from Pennsylvania come to Malomice today but it is a short-lived visit. Uncle John is driving me to Tylawa. Watch out for those horse-drawn wagons on the highway.

You learn the reason I have come to Poland.
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Day 330: Farming is hard work

Day 330 — Farming is hard work
27-Jun-1972 (Tue.)

Teta Hanna off to the fields
We spend the day working the fields. I’m almost a farmer by now. You get to see me on a horse, as well.
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Day 329: Village life

Day 329 — Village life
26-Jun-1972 (Mon.)

Malomice children and John
Today, I learn a bit about village life and tending the garden. It ain’t easy folks. Try pumping the water by hand, carrying it a distance, and then hand watering a large garden. The fresh peas and strawberrys made up for it. Lots of photos today.
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Day 328: Arrival in Malomice

Day 328 — Arrival in Malomice
25-Jun-1972 (Sun.)

Teta M and daughter in Malomice
Another amazing day of travel in Poland. I arrive at my relatives in the village of Malomice. I won’t mention my skirmish with the law just yet. Photos today.
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Day 327: Arrival in Poland—what a day

Day 327 — Arrival in Poland—what a day
24-Jun-1972 (Sat.)

Sunset in Malomice
I’m in Poland. A totally incredible day of travel with a long post that documents parts of my journey to Poland and my first impressions of communist Poland. A book-learned kid suddenly wakes up to the real world and finds that people are friendly the world over and that soldiers carry machine guns. And that you can sometimes travel to the wrong town in the wrong part of the country on steam locomotives.
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Day 326: Leaving—no, still in Vienna

Day 326 — Leaving—no, still in Vienna
23-Jun-1972 (Fri.)

I goofed. I missed my train. My journey to Poland didn’t happen yesterday. Do I make it to the train on time today? Certainly.
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Day 324: Spanish Riding School, Vienna at night

Day 324 — Spanish Riding School, Vienna at night
21-Jun-1972 (Mittwoch–Wed.)

Votiv Kirche at night
A nice day with a lot going on—packing, swimming, the Spanish Riding School, and taking some night pictures of Vienna.
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Day 314: Horn quartet in church

Day 314 — Horn quartet in church
11-Jun-1972 (Sonntag–Sun.)

Schonbrunn Palace 01
I play in a horn quartet today in Prof. Gabler’s church then take a walk through Schönbrunn.
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Day 273: May Day, May Day!

Day 273 — May Day, May Day!
01-May-1972 (Montag–Mon.)(Feirtag)

Austrian folk dancing at the May Pole
It’s May Day, a national holiday celebrating the working people. Today, there are lots of pictures from the Rathaus festivities. Enjoy.
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Day 237: Beautiful Vienna in the spring

Day 237 — Beautiful Vienna in the spring
26-March-1972 (Sonntag–Sun.)

Vienna park in spring
Spring has arrived in Vienna and the city is beautiful. I head off to church, and then off to practice, taking a long walk through central Vienna to the school. Great opportunities during these walks to take lots of pictures.
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Day 232: Salzburg pics

Day 232 — Salzburg pics
21-March-1972 (Dienstag–Tue.)

Salzburg and Festung Hohenslzburg
Amazingly, my 35mm film processing from Salzburg was found. The last time I was in Salzburg was in August. To celebrate, I repost some of my pictures.
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Day 230: Parks, Prater, Films, and Fairs

Day 230 — Parks, Prater, Films, and Fairs
19-March-1972 (Sonntag–Sun.)

People in the park
Not only is today a beautiful spring day in Vienna, but I head off to Prater to see Vienna’s International Fair and some smelly cows. Unfortunately, the film festival at night includes a film that shows the slaughter of those cows. Another example of the Ying and Yang of life.

I show a TON of pictures today of Vienna’s beautiful parks and sights.
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Day 176: Brother Mike in Vienna, yay!

Day 176 — Brother Mike in Vienna, yay!
25-January-1972 (Dienstag–Tue.)

Brother Mike comes to Vienna from Kitzbühel and gets a full day of sightseeing, and a Mozart opera (with actual seats) at night. Quite an excellent day.
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Day 174: Kitzbühel, Day 2

Day 174 — Kitzbühel, Day 2
23-January-1972 (Sonntag–Sun.)

Another great day of skiing in Kitzbühel with brother Mike, then off to Vienna.

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Day 173: Brother Mike; skiing Kitzbühel

Day 173 — Brother Mike; skiing Kitzbühel
22-January-1972 (Samstag–Sat.)

My brother Mike comes to Austria for the first time. We spend a great day skiing in Kitzbühel. Except for going down a slope that has been iced down for an upcoming downhill race.
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Day 172: Munich, Day 2

Day 172 — Munich, Day 2
21-January-1972 (Freitag–Fri.)

Day 2 in Munich brings together ballet, opera, museum, and a visit to a U.S. Army hospital and the famous Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s famous beer hall. A great day.
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Day 171: Munich & Dachau

Day 171 — Munich & Dachau
20-January-1972 (Donnerstag–Thur.)

Munich Marienplatz
I’m in Munich and I spend an amazing sightseeing-packed day with my great friends from my college, Montclair State College. The madrigal choir is in Munich as part of a Christmas European tour.

It was a day of contrasts. Singing joyful madrigals in the town center contrasted with seeing the horrors of Dachau.

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Day 160: Olympic Innsbruck; Alpine scenery

Day 160 — Olympic Innsbruck; Alpine scenery
09-January-1972 (Sonntag—Sun.)

Austrian alpine scenery
I take a quick look at Innsbruck’s Olympic ice stadium then head off for Vienna. The Austrian alpine scenery is gorgeous. Ah, this wonderful vacation is over.

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Day 159: St. Anton—Ingrid? Innsbruck—Elisabeth?

Day 159 — St. Anton—Ingrid? Innsbruck—Elisabeth?
08-January-1972 (Samstag—Sat.)

Leaving the Tirolian Alps
So who is Ingrid? I love that name. Why didn’t I marry her? Well, she was one of the English girls I danced with last night. So, I leave Ingrid in St. Anton; make plans to meet her in England in the summer; take the train to Innsbruck; have dinner with Elisabeth; make plans to meet her during Easter. I’m either incredibly suave, handsome, and debonair, with all the pretty women, or I’m extremely naïve, don’t get it, and can’t figure out what is going on.

I think that, even today, I’m still incredibly naïve (with women). And I still can’t figure them out. Everything’s normal. Happy

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Day 158: Beautiful Zurs

Day 158 — Beautiful Zurs
07-January-1972 (Freitag—Fri.)

Snow filled valleys
I hit the Tirolian slopes of Zurs which offers good snow, beautiful views, and long runs. I reflect on what I like about St. Anton.

At night, Mr. Don Juan hits the dance floor.
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Day 157: Sunny skiing

Day 157 — Sunny skiing
06-January-1972 (Donnerstag—Thur.)


Tirolian ski venue
My last day of ski class brings me a full day of skiing with beautiful weather. At night, I go dancing. Did I meet someone?
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Day 156: Great skiing; world conversations

Day 156 — Great skiing; world conversations
05-January-1972 (Mittwock—Wed.)


Great skiing venues
Today is an amazing day of skiing that brings me down the backside of the mountain and many miles away from St. Anton. How amazing is that?

At dinner, I come face-to-face with the emotion behind the conflict in Northern Ireland between the Irish Catholics and the British. At the same dinner table. A true-life learning experience.

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Day 155: I’m in a fog; I’m naked next to a girl

Day 155 — I’m in a fog; I’m naked next to a girl
04-January-1972 (Dienstag—Tue.)

Skiing on a sunny day
I’m in a fog today. Literally. As I don’t want to ski off of a cliff, I decided to spend the whole day with the ski class. I talk about money a bit.

Oh, and one of my fantasies almost comes to life—standing naked next to a beautiful girl in a white nurse's outfit, next to a sign that says “
Massage.”

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Day 154: Great skiing at Valluga

Day 154 — Great skiing at Valluga
03-January-1972 (Mon.)


Cable car to Valhalla
A quality day of ski lessons and skiing at St. Anton and the cable car to Valluga. Nice.

Suddenly I'm Don Juan, meeting girls all over the place.
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Day 153: St. Anton, Skiing Day 1

Day 153 — St. Anton, Skiing Day 1
02-January-1972 (Sun.)


St Anton a vast mountain
My first day of skiing at the wonderful resort of St. Anton, an international skiing mecca for the rich and famous (and a poor American student studying in Vienna). I take ski lessons again and spend the day skiing all over St. Anton. Nice.
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Day 152: Glückliches Neues Jahr; New Year’s Day concert; off to St. Anton

Day 152 — Glückliches Neues Jahr; New Year’s Day concert; off to St. Anton
01-January-1972 (Sat.)

Johann Strauss statue at night
What a day! That’s how I end today’s reflections. I get into standing room for the world-famous New Year’s Day concert by the Vienna Philharmonic that features waltzes and polkas by Johann Strauss’ I and II, dad and son. What fun! Then, I head off on the train to the Austrian Alps, stop in Innsbruck to give Elisabeth a gift, and then head on to the world-famous ski resort of St. Anton for a week of skiing.

What a day! What a year!
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Day 151: New Year’s Eve—Die Fledermaus

Day 151 — New Year’s Eve—Die Fledermaus
31-December-1971 (Fri.)


A day filled with New Year's Eve traditions—spending all day in a standing room line, an ad-lib performance of
Die Fledermaus, sneaking in champagne into the opera house (?), Kärtnerstrasse, Stephansdom Platz, and partying. Great performances. Great traditions. Too much to drink. Read More...

Day 146: My Christmas present

Day 146 — My Christmas present
26-December-1971 (Sun.)


SUMMARY

My Christmas present comes today—a package of candy from the elderly lady whose money I found on the bus.

Other than that, myself and two girls wander Vienna's famous graveyard, the Central Cemetery, where many a famous composer is buried. It is foggy. It is eerie. Are the spirits talking to me? Happy

A delightful Bedrich Smetana opera ends the day.
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Day 145: Vienna! Frohe Weihnachten—Merry Christmas!

Day 145 — Vienna! Frohe Weihnachten—Merry Christmas!
25-December-1971 (Sat.)

Christmas market in Vienna Bernhard Vogl
A wonderful Viennese Christmas day with my roommate, Pavel, his sister, and her friend who have come to see Pavel all the way from California. A good day with some sightseeing, dinner, and conversation. A Verdi opera concludes a great day.

The spirit of Christmas is about families. Meet John’s family and brothers. A photo bonanza. (There are so many photos today—you may need a fast Internet connection for this post.)

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Day 144: Goodbye Innsbruck; Christmas Eve



Scenic Innsbruck mountains
It’s goodbye to skiing, Innsbruck, the scenic mountains (see photo), Elisabeth, George, and a new girl I’m trying to pick up at the train station. (I’m now Don John.) It was an incredible week of skiing, beautiful scenery, friendships, spas, and picture taking. What a vacation! Back to Vienna. It’s Christmas Eve. Read More...

Day 142: Skiing Igls with Elisabeth

Day 142 — Skiing Igls with Elisabeth
22-December-1971 (Wed.)

Skiing partner Elisabeth
A short day of skiing with Elisabeth. Trying to do too much in too short a time. Igls has sunny skiing, providing a day of good skiing and picture taking.

Being a student is a bond that facilitates meeting other students internationally. Being young is a special time. Enjoy it, responsibly.
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Day 141: Great skiing at Igls

Day 141 — Great skiing at Igls
21-December-1971 (Tue.)

Great skiing scenery
A great day of skiing at Innsbruck’s Igls mountain. The weather was sunny and the snow was in perfect condition (not icy). I have a great dinner and conversation with Elisabeth. I keep mentioning my mom and seek Sigmund Freud’s help.
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Day 140: Skiing; Elisabeth; naked men in a sauna

Day 140 — Skiing, Elisabeth, naked men in a sauna
20-December-1971 (Mon.)

Meet Elisabeth
I have an extremely long journal post today. Why? I love Innsbruck. It was an incredible fun-filled day. From rain in Innsbruck to snow in Seegrube, to the extreme but pleasant torture of an Innsbruck health spa—complete with sauna, cold bath, hot and cold foot and body baths, and naked men in saunas.

There is only one Austrian in my ski class. She is a good-looking Austrian girl, Elisabeth. She becomes my skiing partner and a welcomed source of information on Innsbruck. When I said, “Where can I run around naked with a bunch of old men?,” she was right there pointing me to the health spa. Only kidding. Winking

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Day 139: Innsbruck: Seegrube Ski School

Day 139 — Innsbruck: Seegrube Ski School
19-December-1971 (Sun.)

Beautiful scenery
My first day of skiing in the Austrian Alps is at Seegrube. I take lessons to improve my paralleling—after all this is Austria. If they can’t teach me to ski, no one can. I love it. I love the fresh air. Just thinking about it, I want to go back. Right now!
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Day 138: Arrival in Innsbruck

Day 138 — Arrival in Innsbruck
18-December-1971 (Sat.)

Innsbruck St Anne column
I’m in Innsbruck. Yay, my first look at the Austrian Alps, or any Alps for that matter. A little bit of sightseeing and then I get ready for some exciting skiing tomorrow. St. Anne's column in Innsbruck's old town is a well-known landmark.
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Day 083: Celebrating the spirit of humanity

Day 83 — Celebrating the spirit of humanity
24-October-1971 (Sun.)

Autumn in Baden
I’m sightseeing in Baden, Austria today and spend the day walking and getting some well-needed exercise. I rediscover the beauty of nature and the spirit of humankind. People are people, and kids are kids—all over the world. Something to remember.

Plenty of beautiful autumn-like pictures today. Also check out the photos and slide shows today.
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Day 060: Austria—beautiful panoramas

Day 60 — Austria 360—beautiful panoramas
01-October-1971 (Fri.)

Vienna National Library in Neue Hofburg
01971: Some letter writing to mom and my brothers relieves some of my horn-playing stress.

2007: I discover two new websites, one Austrian,
www.austria-360.at, and the other www.panoramas.dk, that display absolutely gorgeous 360-degree panoramic pictures from around Austria and the world. Absolutely gorgeous and a lot of fun. The picture at the left is from panoramas.dk and is of the Vienna National Library (© Peter Winkler). It is stunning in 360.
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Day 048: Stress relief: Donau Park and Tower

Day 48 — Stress relief: Donau Park and Tower
19-September-1971 (Sun.)

Two girls strolling in park
To reduce the stress of my daily frustration, I visit the Donau Park and Tower adjacent to the Danube River.

Great views. Ah, I feel better.
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Day 032: Amusement at Prater

Day 32 — Amusement at Prater
03-September-1971 (Fri.)

The Prater ferris wheel
A day at Vienna’s Prater amusement park with Anjali. I get a little dizzy, lose in ping pong, and eat a lot. As an aside, I comment on my use of emdashes and thus address some of the grammar issues of my journal writing, and plea to Grammar Girl to set me straight.

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Day 031: Anjali; the National Library; Hofburg Complex

Day 31 — Anjali; the National Library; Hofburg Complex
02-September-1971 (Tue.)

Anjali
Sightseeing with Anjali continues. Just a bit of info on the Austrian National Library situated in the Hofburg Complex in central Vienna.

When visiting Vienna, you can’t help but imagine the expansive power and influence of the Austro-Hungarian empire as you enter the incredible Hofburg Complex through the Heldenplatz and look upon the massive Neue Burg.
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Day 030: Sightseeing with Anjali

Day 30 — Sightseeing with Anjali
01-September-1971 (Mon.)

Anjali smiling
With exams over, I spend some quality sightseeing time with Anjali.

And I admit that I really like her.
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Day 029: The beautiful parks of Vienna

Day 29 — The beautiful parks of Vienna
31-August-1971 (Tue.)

Man with pigeon
Last day of German class exams. Studying in the beautiful parks of Vienna. Travel the world virtually with Google Earth.
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Day 027: My first song; Rick Steve’s Europe on PBS

Day 27 — My first song; Rick Steve’s Europe on PBS
29-August-1971 (Sun.)

A two-line entry today. I’ve written my first young-love pop-folk song ever—“One Summer Day”—for Anjali. It may be corny but it was from my heart. (all girls swoon)

In the contemporary world (today), I happen to see a Rick Steve’s Europe video tour of Vienna. Wonderful video and commentary.
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Day 026: Mahler’s 8th Symphony; Schönbrunn Palace

Day 26 — Mahler’s 8th Symphony; Schönbrunn Palace
28-August-1971 (Sat.)

Schonbrunn Palace gardens 01
What a day. A visit to the incredible Schönbrunn Palace and gardens with Anjali, and an incredible performance of Mahler’s 8th Symphony. Shivers…shivers…shivers up and down my spine.

Practice on my new horn and sad to see Achille leave for Italy.

And a little rant on why the RIAA should change their policies and fees on licensing music for Internet-radio and podcasts.
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Day 024: Burgemeister’s Reception at the Rathaus

Day 24 — Burgemeister’s reception at the Rathaus
26-August-1971 (Thur.)

Burgermeister reception at Rathaus
Back in Vienna, I return very tired and head off to German class. I’m not tired enough to miss the Mayor’s Reception that evening, however. A formal ball with everyone dressed up. Especially Anjali, in her soiree. Dancing and enjoyable company. Life is good.
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Day 023: My new Alexander French horn

Day 23 — My new Alexander French horn
25-August-1971 (Wed.)

Alexander natural horns
I’m in Mainz, Germany. I buy my first new French horn today at the Alexander horn shop. I’m so happy. I meet Mr. Alexander himself.

Nixon devalued the U.S. dollar a few days ago. He cost me money.
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Day 022: I need a French horn—off to Mainz, Germany

Day 22 — I need a French horn—off to Mainz, Germany.
24-August-1971 (Tue.)

Off to Germany
After a day at school, it’s off to Mainz, Germany to buy my French Horn. I also provide a chronological timeline of how I got started in music—ending with an amazing secret.

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Day 020: Salzburg finale; Festung Hohensalzburg and the Schubert B-minor Mass

Day 20 — Day 020: Salzburg finale; Festung Hohensalzburg and the Schubert B-minor Mass
22-August-1971 (Sun.)

Magnificent Salzburg 01
I close out my last day in Salzburg with a full day of sightseeing (Mozart museum, Domplatz, and the medieval fortress, Festung Hohensalzburg.

The highlight of the day was my attending a real Mass in a cathedral. 1st row. Oh, it happened to be a full performance of Schubert’s B-minor Mass. Heavenly.
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Day 019: Oom-pah-pah bands, yodelers, and folk dancers

Day 19 — Oom-pah-pah bands, yodelers, and folk dancers
21-August-1971 (Sat.)

Salzburg shopping 01
My 2nd day in Salzburg, Austria is a day of sightseeing—Hellbrunn Palace, Mirabell Gardens, a concert, and a beer garden—with oom-pah-pah bands, yodelers, and those “guys who hop and slap themselves.” No, not Chevy Chase, "those guys."

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Day 018: Salzburg, Austria; first train trip

Day 18 — Salzburg, Austria; first train trip
20-August-1971 (Fri.)

Magnificent Salzburg 01
Mozart’s birth city — Salzburg, Austria. I take my first train ride, totally standing up, to this wonderful city. Salzburg welcomes me with a hail storm and no student service to help me. What to do? Find a room, walk around, listen to music, and enjoy. Which I do.

Photography is my hobby and Salzburg is a great place to take photographs. (Photos coming soon.) If you aren’t already taking digital pictures, you should be. Come on. Pictures are memories!

[Kodak, soon to advertise.]
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Day 013: Vienna Woods, Kahlenburg

Day 13 — Vienna Woods, Kahlenburg
15-August-1971 (Sun.)

Vienna Woods
A quiet day of walking in the Vienna Woods, and then up the winding path to see a view of Vienna and outlying vineyards from the heights of Kahlenburg. An enjoyable day.

A little bit of an aside on my interest in photography and the Kodak slides that are from 36 years ago, and Austrians.

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Day 012: Let’s go to the summer cottage, dear—Belvedere Palace

Day 12 — Let’s go to the summer cottage, dear—Belvedere Palace
14-August-1971 (Sat.)

Belvedere Palace
“Hello, yes it’s me, Prince Eugene of Savoy. Yes, the guy who defeated the Turks in 1683. Well, thanks. We want to take the kids and go to the summer cottage this weekend at Belvedere. Can you round up the 1,000-person staff and have them get the place ready? Chow.”

That was the owner of Belvedere Palace. This was the first palace that I saw up close. Palaces are huge. The gardens are incredible. The interiors are ornate and magnificent. This was only the
summer residence. Wow. I'm ready to move in.

Oh, and Anjali also plays folk guitar, sings, and writes songs. And
I’m supposed to be the musician?


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Day 011: Danube boat party, the Iron Curtain

Day 11 — Danube boat party, the Iron Curtain
13-August-1971 (Fri.)

Danube Boat Party
No short posts here. Live on-the-spot journaling, documenting an exciting full-day excursion on the Blue, err Green, Danube River that flows by Vienna (Wein). Sightseeing, plenty of photos, and more.

I’m up to the task and only briefly let the armed patrol boat, barbed-razor-wire security fence (the Iron Curtain), and the armed machine-gun guards in the towers “shock” me. Welcome to Czechoslovakia and communism in the 60’s and 70’s.

Anjali, a young, pretty girl, comes to the rescue. We sightsee, eat, and then learn to dance. I’m her first dance partner.

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Day 009: Grinzing wine tasting

Day 9 — Grinzing wine tasting
11-August-1971 (Wed.)


After German class in the morning, where I make a non-funny German joke, we go to wine country—Grinzing—for some, eatin’, talkin’, drinkin’, singin’, and tastin’ some of that mighty-fine Austrian wine.

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