Posts Tagged ‘Vienna’

Vienna and Budapest 10 Day Break

Posted: February 21, 2013 in Study abroad, Virginia Tech
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Part Two
Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace

We left Praha Wednesday afternoon and arrived in Vienna that evening.  9 out of the 10 days the weather was cloudy, dreary, and snowy, which got annoying, but I was backpacking Europe, so I didn’t give two Francs.  The top left picture is of the Schonbrunn Palace. It’s beautiful on the inside, but unfortunately you’re not allowed to take pictures. I recommend visiting Schonbrunn during the spring or summer because it has the oldest zoo in the world, massive gardens, fountains, and a shrub Labyrinth.

Staatsoper Vienna Opera House

Staatsoper Vienna Opera House

My favorite moment of Vienna was visiting the Staatsoper Vienna Opera House.  The actors performed a modern day version of Cinderella, which made it easy to follow because it was in German.  They were superb. Being back in the theatre was calming and made me appreciate the career I have set out for myself.  I don’t want to be just good,I want to be the greatest. Yeah, that sounds pompous, but in this business you have to work your ass off and want it more than everyone else. That’s the mentality you have to have with any business not just acting.

One of my new short term goals it to apply to the Actors Studio MFA program at Pace University. You have to audition in order to get accepted and since I will be abroad, I won’t be able to apply till the fall of 2014, but that will give me time to save up money in order to pay for tuition if I’m admitted.  I digress, now lets talk Budapest.

Budapest Baths

The 3-hour train ride to Budapest was the shortest of the 10 day. The highlight of Budapest was going to the bathhouses. They are heated from thermal energy in the ground. At first I was grossed out because of the locker rooms and the fat old hairy men walking around in skivvies, but we were in a large enough group with beautiful women that it didn’t matter. Shortly after, my selective perception kicked in and I hardly noticed them.  I’m never going back and I sure as hell wouldn’t take my girlfriend there, but it’s definitely worth the trip if you’re in Budapest. Also you have to walk around the city at night. Make sure you make it before 00:30 because they will turn lights off on you.

Hogwarts Budapest

Hogwarts Budapest

Chain Bridge

Chain Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just got back from playing a pick up game of basketball over at Franklin College in Switzerland and I have an Italian final tomorrow that I need to study for. I also have to pack for my weekend trip to Paris, France. Such a rough life I know, I wish I could write more, but I have business to take care of and if I put this off till next week it won’t get done.  Check back next week for my post on Paris.

Outside Schonbrunn's Palace

Outside Schonbrunn’s Palace

“Photo Credit Reed Stiefvater”

Staatsoper Vienna Opera House

Posted: February 15, 2013 in Acting, Study abroad, Theatre
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Unleashing The Tiger

Posted: February 6, 2013 in Study abroad, Virginia Tech
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Carnivale Costume

I didn’t understand the concept of getting lost in Venice until last weekend. I literally took one wrong turn and became completely disoriented. The place is a labyrinth filled with hundreds of bridges, alleyways, and streets to navigate through. That being said, if you ever go to Venice, and if you don’t enjoy being lost, then it might be wise to invest in a map. Personally, I loved this portion of the weekend because I randomly walked into marvelous artisan shops as well as a modern art gallery.

The one downside of the trip was the weather on Saturday. It was pouring rain and winds were gushing around 20 MPH. You would not believe the number of broken umbrellas that littered the streets. I cracked up laughing on the main street because I observed owner’s umbrellas getting split to pieces. Then to top it off, I watched them try and use the scraps in an attempt to keep their heads dry. It was a sight to see. Maybe it was amusing for me because I was soaked head to toe and had accepted my fate of getting drenched.

If it weren’t for the rain we wouldn’t have met this super cool Aussie mate named Emily. Her living plans fell through and had nowhere to stay because everywhere was booked up. She told us her story and it would have been inhumane to not let her crash with us. She had been traveling for seven months and this was her last weekend before she headed back to Aussieland. It surprised me how well put together this chick was especially for only being nineteen years old. We all went out for dinner, had a couple drinks, and called it a night.

In Front of The Basilica

Sunday, God blessed us with fantastic weather. We woke up relatively early, checked out of our hostel, and headed for San Marco Square to watch the opening Ceremony for Carnivale. With masks on our face, bottles of wine in our hands, we strolled around the city for the final hours of our Venetian experience. We went into Doges Palace, the Basilica, and then paid for a gondola ride, which was totally worth it.

I wasn’t terribly upset to leave Venice. It’s a gorgeous city, but I could never see myself living there. The streets flood, it smells, and its smaller than I had anticipated. If I ever go back to Venice, I’m going to unleash my inner tiger. I made a tiger cape in my costume lab class last semester and I forgot to bring it. That won’t happen next time.

I leave this Friday to visit Berlin, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest over a course of ten days. I’m learning a few key phrases in Czech and Hungarian so I can make some friends with the locals. Check back next week for an update and remember to unleash the tiger!