Wien!

We arrived in Wien (Vienna is the translation of Wien to english.) on Thursday afternoon, and checked into the Wombats Hostel.  We are just a few blocks from the main train station, and have been loving the ease of the Zug system (Zug means train in Deutsche).  The feel is reminicent of Berlin, but seems to be more clean and more quiet.  We had a few hours to explore on the day that we arrived, and a few of us went over to St. Stevens church in downtown on a mini adventure.  The church was incredible! We took a moment to glance inside to see the gothic architecture, and marvel at the ornate artwork covering the walls and celing.

Next, as we milled about trying to pick a direction to explore, Annalise pointed to a building with a large green dome.  After walking over to the structure, and finally finding the front door, we found ourselved in another immaculatly deccorated space that was hosting an organ concert.  We took a seat in a pew, and listened to a Bach prelude and Fuge.  It was incredible to actually hear the organ in one of the many churches that we have visited on the trip, and the dome construction made the sound reverberate all around the room.  The best part was the final chord of the Fuge, wiht the classic "this is the last chord, so I am going to sit on it for a good 10 seconds just so everyone knows without a doubt that this is finished" ending.  The sound reverberated for a good few seconds after the release.  (Every time Austin and I hear an organ, we find ourselved trying to figure out how we can work in organ lessons to our schedules.

Wien has been off to a great start, and I am really enjoying the city.  I am usually not much of a city person, but I am very impressed with the architecture, the historz, the abundance of music, how quiet the city center is, and the general atmosphere. Also, the bike paths look wonderful, and I wish I could have taken my bike over here with me!