36 Years Ago

36 Years Ago, Vienna 1971—A Student Journal

Day 147: Get your eyes checked regularly

Day 147 — Get your eyes checked regularly
27-December-1971 (Mon.)


I’m back at school and work. Today is about letters from family and friends. I reminisce about a good friend of mine, Andre, to whom I am indebted for my eyesight. Get your eyes checked regularly. I know the title has nothing to do with Vienna, but it's important.

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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 121: Thanking Rotary

Day 121 — Thanking Rotary
01-December-1971 (Wed.)

Rotary Clubs award 1
Today, I begin writing Christmas cards to send home. I single out two cards that I am sending to two special Rotarians that awarded me the Rotary fellowship—Mr. Spaulding, the District Governor of Rotary #749, and Mr. Mitchell, the Chairman of the Walter D. Head Foundation. I am truly thankful to Rotary Clubs International and my sponsor and boss, Nick Lioy (pictured left, standing right), for this incredible year.
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Day 108: Will meet Rotary students

Day 108 — Will meet Rotary students
18-November-1971 (Thur.)


A full day at school followed by a Verdi opera at night. Two letters, from Anjali and Rotary Clubs International, complete the day.
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Day 091: Feiertag, Austrian Rotary

Day 91 — Feiertag, Austrian Rotary
01-November-1971 (Mon.)


Feiertag. Holiday. It’s All Saints Day, the day after Halloween. I’m spending money too fast, and trying to meet with Austrian Rotary Club members. Mozart’s
Magic Flute restores calm. Read More...
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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 006: Achille from Italy

Day 6 — A new roommate, Achille
08-August-1971 (Sun.)

Church stained-glass window
Today is a day of rest, and of meeting many people. First and foremost, I have a new roommate, Achille, who is from Milan, Italy. Together, we meet friendly people over lunch and dinner from South Africa and France, and attend Mass at St. Stephan’s Cathedral.
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Day 002: Arrival in Vienna

Day 2 — Arrival in Vienna
04-Aug-1971 (Wed.)

Vienna Burgtheater
Finally, arrival in Vienna. I learn that Vienna is a big city and has actual people. They wear business suits and go to work. Just like us. Helped by the Austrian National Student Service, I get a hotel room, try to make contacts, and mostly sleep.

Jet lag.
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Day 001: The journey begins

Day 1 — The journey begins
03-Aug-1971 (Tue.)

First plane flight
Pan Am, Flight 72, 6:00 pm, 747

The journey begins. My first time on a plane. Heck, I had never been outside of NJ, NY, VT, and PA.

I'm on the way to Vienna, Austria for a year's graduate study. Perhaps one of the best years of my life.

For each day that I have a journal entry, I transcribe the entry and then give my retrospective commentary looking back from today, 36 years later. I have posted a few pages of the original journal in the Pictures/Photo section of this website. They are on the small size but give you the general idea of the original.

I hope that you join me. Enjoy.

John
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