Found this the other day while looking through old photos. I sure do love these guys.

I went to the Flohmarkt (flea market) last Saturday with a couple of friends. Let's just say there were some great finds. And true to form I didn't purchase anything. I have, however, made a plan to go this upcoming Saturday and spend my remaining money there.

This probably will not happen. Knowing me.

But I will definitely bring my camera and get more gems like this.

"If you don't have a plan for yourself, you'll be part of someone else's."

- American Proverb

Last week in Austrian History we went to the Schatzkammer, or the National Treasury. Our teacher was quite the knowledgeable tour guide, and took us through the whole thing explaining as she went. I'm quite impressed with how much my teachers know at times. I guess that's why they're teaching me and not the other way around.

This is the crib of the Duke of Reichstadt, who happens to be Napoleon's son. He died at a young age, many believe due to poisoning by Napoleon's enemies. Not that Napoleon had much to do with his son anyway.

Apparently THIS is the Holy Grail.

Not this.

Relics from the Twelve Apostles, so they say.

So last weekend was full of little outings from Vienna. On Saturday a couple of us (including a pro athlete. Legit.) went to see the Roman Ruins in Petronell. Observe:

Vienna use to be a roman garrison town, during the years of the Roman Empire. These are some remains left over from that time. They recently discovered a rather large collosseum that rivals the famous one in Rome in size. Sadly, they have not excavated it as of yet, and have made no plans to do so. We did however find this smaller ampitheatre...

... and took many gladiator/ wizarding duel photos:

Thanks ancient Roman civilization for giving me something to do on a Saturday in Vienna. Your foresight is amazing.

The Wiehnachtsmärkte are open. I. Am. So. Happy.

Last weekend a group of us went to Hinterbrühl to see the underground lake inside the mine. This mine used to be an important source of Gypsum for the locals, which they used as fertilizer for their farming. They mined into two levels and were working on a third when they accidentally caused this most recent level of the mine to flood, thus creating the lake.

During World War II they used this abandoned mine turned tourist destination into a satellite camp of Mauthausen Concentration Camp and used it to create fuselages. To get the fuselages out of the mine they attached them to carts that ran along tracks and were pulled by horses that had been blinded before being used in the mine. Because they used horses, they of course needed stables:

A (battered and dilapidated) example of the type of fuselages they made:

The lake. This is a sorry excuse for a photo, I know, but this was the best I could do. Use your imagination that it was eerily lit and the water was very blue, reflecting the ceiling perfectly.

 Blurry photo, but an example of the eery lighting and reflections:

The tracks they used to transport the fuselages out of the mine:

"Glück Auf!" was used by Austrian miners and means "Good Luck."

P.S. Afterwards we grabbed a delicious lunch at Vapiano's and encountered this lovely little photo:

Two mob sightings and an arrest all within a week and a half... or so. What luck! By the way, that mob I encountered was definitely an Occupy crowd. Didn't know the movement had reached Vienna... guess I do now. And if you're wondering what this whole Occupy thing is... don't worry about it. More hipster kids complaining about life. Essentially.

Knit this baby up this week. Check it: 

I'm in love. :)

Last week during our Austrian History class we went to the National Library. Can I just say, I was a fan of libraries before this, but now my level of appreciation and love have reached all new levels. Observe:

In a completely serious manner, with no kidding involved, my mouth literally dropped open upon entering this... this... chamber, and did not shut for about another ten minutes. It. Was. Amazing. When you read stories and fairy tales that involve large libraries in beautiful castles, this is what you imagine, no? That's the way it was for me.

And check out this fresco! In a library!

If I could have a library like this in my house, I would be the happiest girl. Ever.

... but it might need to be about 50% yarn, 50% books. What? People keep yarn in libraries all the time!

Just a little update on what I've been up to lately. A couple weekends ago I went with Amanda to the Musikverein to see the Cleveland Orchestra perform. It was quite fantastical, I must say. Although the standing room space is not as nice as the Opera's (flat area behind a tallish barrier vs. a tiered standing room balcony with posts to lean on), the music hall was GORGEOUS. Just look:

We walked by the Hundertwasserhaus two weekends ago. That's all you really need to do. Constructed in the 80's, each apartment is delineated by color. An interesting structure.

In Austria All Saint's Day is an observed holiday, meaning there is no school or work. Yeah! So a group of us decided  to spend our little holiday going to Bratislava, Slovakia. As my dear friend Shelly Faber so eloquently described it, whilst referring to the saying that "Bratislava and Vienna are twin cities", "Bratislava is Vienna's poop." A very pretty poop, quite quaint. But... yes. You get my drift.  

Essentially... we played on playgrounds (as always)...

Bri's a little excited about the hot chocolate.

Our last day of the trip was spent in a couple small cities in Germany along the border of Poland. We spent the night in Forst, where I got to room with this pretty lady:

And look out at this country across from my window:

 That would be Poland. Out my window. 

We toured around the city with a man who told us the history of the church in his area. The bridge in the picture above used to lead into a town in Poland that was fairly large due to the open borders between Germany and Poland. 

 Right side: Germany, Left side: Poland

Being on the border of Poland, we couldn't help but jaunt on over there and tour around a little bit. Our tour guide man showed us where members had lived during the war. When the Germans left after the war, the Poles started to use what was left of the houses for building supplies.What was then a sizeable neighbourhood with many families living there, is now just a meadow with a hint of foundations to be seen when one looks closely.

We moved onto Goerlitz afterwards, which was the location of a very significant historical occurrence for our church. It was in this building that President Monson made the prophesy to the East German saints that if they remained faithful they would receive all the blessings that other members of the church had. Everyone interpreted this as a temple.

This is the original pulpit that President Monson spoke at. The building is currently a warehouse and a practice studio for Carnival performers. I think it's kind of amazing that the pulpit is still standing. A member of the church, who was a young boy when this happened, took us through the building and showed us where all the members met for their separate meetings. It was shocking to find out that the condition of the building was not much better when they actually met there. What faith they had.

After our tour of the old and new church buildings in Goerlitz, it was time to turn back to Vienna. But not before a quick little visit to Slovakia...

... where I picked these flowers!

We ended the trip with a visit to Willi's (our bus driver) hometown, where he treated us all to schnitzel mit pommes. A lovely end to an epic, awesome, amazing, humbling, great trip.