Picto Diary - 15 May 2016 - Schottenstift

Above: Chapel. Schottenstift Monastery. Vienna Woods, Austria. 15 May 2016.

Here Mass is going on attended by local adherents.

The chanting and the organ give rise to a reverent, ethereal, atmosphere.

I broke off from our tour group to, seated at the rear of the chapel from where this image is taken, attend this Mass for the entire 30 minute period of our stop at the monastery.

The monastery and church date back to the 12th century when Henry II of Austria brought Irish monks to Vienna. The monks did not come directly from Ireland, but came instead from Scots Monastery in Regensburg, Germany. Since 1625, the abbey has been a member of the Austrian Congregation, now within the Benedictine Confederation.

Above: Organist at Schottenstift Monastery chapel. Vienna Woods, Austria. 15 May 2016.

I took this image while listening to a postlude fugue.

The organ and the high arched stone interior cooperate to create a special musical experience. This music correlates to hope, aspiration, and faith.

All music correlates to something along the spectrum of human emotion.

Above: Bicycle Race. Vienna Woods, Austria. 15 May 2016.

Our tour bus was waylaid by this race. We took a detour that added thirty minutes to our planned journey to Baden.

Above: TIMDT in Baden, Austria. 15 May 2016.

No time to take the waters...

Spirit of Sisi permeates... Bilderbergs too.

Tour guide rails against the rise of the Austrian right as she points out putative right wing, uniformed students from private Catholic schools milling around the city. She compares the students to "brown shirts."

Wait.!!!. Brown shirts persecuted Catholics, Jews, Roma, homosexuals.

It is true, that not just within Austria, but throughout Europe, nationalistic feelings are growing. Many people are conflicted between the need for immigration to keep their economies robust - Europeans no longer have children at rates to replace their population - and fear that immigrants will not/cannot be assimilated into their cultures... with all the potential problems that may entail. Cologne... New Years Eve.... 2016?

Notwithstanding, rise of nationalistic, culture championing sentiments should not be conflated with "brown shirts." Guide was out of line in making her caustic assertions about the Catholic students.

Above: Wienerschnitzel. The Brasserie. Grand Hotel. Vienna, Austria. 15 May 2016.

Ven (sic) in Wien, eat what the Viennese eat?

Adolf (Park City), eat your heart out!

Above: Septet plays Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Palais Palavicini, Vienna, Austria. 15 May 2016.

Performance took place at the final dinner for Tauk river boat cruise goers.

I must say, Tauck goes all out. The night was splendid. And, we listened to classic favorites in the same room where Mozart and Salieri would engage in violin duels two hundred thirty some odd years ago. "Amadeus?"

Everything from the food, the musicians, the singers to the waiters was on a thoroughly professional level. Interesting concept! Austrians doing the jobs that Austrians won't do?

It is rare to see professional wait staff any more... so the service quality in and of itself would have been worth the visit.

Above: Montage, SpaGo, Bea, and Betty (Golden Girls). Palais Palavincini. Vienna, Austria. 15 May 2016.

Addendum:


Hi,
What a fabulous trip! Unfortunately, the pictures did not come through.

Thx, Sandy,
Seattle, WA

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Not correct Steve; in the 1700s part of evolution some people were 3 footed -:)

Mr. Z3
Ojai, CA