Yesterday we went swimming. We joined Mnozil Brass' Leonhard Paul, and his children, Dominica (11) and Florentine (6), at a city swimming pool. It was great. Marisa is already best friends with the Pauls, especially the kids. Afterwards we had some of the best Italian Ice in Vienna. (Sorry, no pics, camera battery was dead...)
Before that, we took another stroll, this time through a different area of the city. Everywhere you turn there is something, old, beautiful and unique. Many times all three at once. And yet, Vienna is alive and modern. It has always been a city of contrasts: modern, yet reactionary; forwardthinking (Mahler, Freud, Klimt), and also ignorant (centuries of anti-semitism and anti-foreigner politics). Yet, Vienna would not be the Capitol of Culture it is, especially music, without all those outside influences - Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Mahler, none of them were originally Viennese. They came because the great city was then, like New York is to so many now.. "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere..." Corny, but true.
Pics:
1. Musikverein. Home of the Vienna Philharmonic. Place of countless premieres from Brahms, Strauss, etc. One of the greatest halls in the world.
2. Brahms Memorial, in Karlsplatz, directly across. Great statue. Brahms is asleep, dozing quietly, his muse lying at his feet.
3. Our apartment building. We are on the 5th floor on the right hand side (the five windows above the little balconies).
4. Marisa and Lucas on a stroll. Notice the tram rail lines in the street to their left.
5. Maria am Gestade Church. Built in the 14th century.
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