Study abroad Fall '10

[96firephoenix]

so, I'm taking a semester in Austria... here's some pics of the place and some others that I've been...
flying into Poland

Warsaw's theatre

the Kartause where I'm staying (built in the 1300s, rebuilt in the 1980s to repair from 35 years of Soviet use as an army base)

the Kartause Maria Thron (literally "throne of Mary, Mother of God")as seen from my room at dusk

the Abbey at Melk. Built in the 600s, given to the Benedictine Order in the 1060's, constantly been renovated and added onto.

turning around from the view of the church

the library inside Melk Abbey

local Church in the town of Melk.

wicked upshot of a spiral staircase

Durnstein castle, where Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned upon his return from the Crusades... or rather, whats left of it.

 

[96firephoenix]

reaky bit is, I had a dream about this place when I was seven. I specifically remember the angle of the wood things in the river and the bridge thing...

this spot was really cool, but I've got way better pics on undeveloped film...

I love the panorama setting... these first few were in Austria on the way to Mariazell

this is from Munich. those of you in Pittsburgh are familiar with the Hofbrauhaus... its better in Munich. And yes, that is a Liter. (2pints)

the Agostiner in Salzburg... about as good as the Hofbrauhaus, but the HBH had about 2x the alcohol.

 

[96firephoenix]

the Salzburg castle at night. not the light balance that I'd like, but it was the best I could do with my point and shoot.

the Munich town hall.

and my friend peter being strange...

the US embassy in Bratislava... its pretty heavily fortified... and guarded by Slovak mercenaries that all but came over and took my camera away...

the city gates in Bratislava

so in slovakia, hot chocolate is really just pre-cooled chocolate pudding that is still runny... but its oh,so tasty.

__________________

 

[96firephoenix]

and on to Switzerland...

the mountain hostel... and the cloud it lives in.

this is marked on the map as a town... I call shenanigans.

this is jsut God-Awesome-Gorgeous

those James Bond fans among us might recognize the Piz Gloria, location of the movie "On her Majesty's secret Service"

Swiss Alps

 

[96firephoenix]

the Swiss seem to not be able to trust their own banks anymore... so instead they chain safes to mountains...

notice the snow on the ground

Beautiful old Gothic church that had been remodeled quite heinously in the 60s to reflect the style of the times..... ie plaster and wood... not like the original Gothic Style that we were looking

 

[spartan933]

Funny that you posted this since my Dad just called me from Salzburg, Austria and is going over to Vienna on Friday. I told him to visit the Glock factory for me. Nice pictures. Let's see some babes though.

 

[96firephoenix]

the downside of Switzerland is that I tore the mess out of my knee... I think I tore my meniscus completely (I had a partial tear that was mostly healed) but I'm getting to experience first-hand the socialized medicine here in Austria... I'm not really complaining about the not paying part, cuz its like a social republic-type gov't. it works here in a way that it will never work in America, simply due to the cultural differences. more updates as events warrant.

 

[jdude]

Awsome pics, I was over there about 25 years ago in many of the same places you are. The Beer....OH..the Beer, if you drink the beer over there and had access to it here you would NEVER drink domestic beer again.

I was there in the winter and did alot of skiing in the German and Austrian Alps, it was incredible and by the way did I mention the beer. Hoping I can go back some day, I am sure I would go for a month next time.

 

[thej27]

Well now I am officially jealous. Those are great pics. Did you get a chance to visit any battlefields?

 

[_OZ_]

Villach(its a town), you must go there and buy beer! ( I think I spelled it right or close anyway) north of the border of Italy. They have a tavern there where the beer is pumped over from where its made....
I love Austria ... ok I love the beer and women of Austria, unless my wife reads this!!

 

[Griffeycom]

Austria! Well, then. G'day mate! Let's put another shrimp on the barbie!

I couldn't resist!

In all serious, looks like you're having a blast, those views are pretty sweet. Hopefully one day I can travel and see some of this stuff!

 

[U.S. Patriot]

Do not wind up like the people on Hostel. Looks like you are having a blast. Good for you. I'm weary of traveling abroad.