Leaving Vienna… next step/stop: the United Nations.

The following are my questions from today’s presentations:

Atomic Energy Presentation
1. How is nuclear waste disposed of safely?
2. What are the main goals of and/or guideposts for the IAEA?
3. Is the IAEA a political entity? If not, how does it wield power or influence?
4. Who are the member nations of this agency? Who is not a member agency?
Human Trafficking Presentation
1. What is the definition of trafficking, as defined by the UN Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section?
2. Have countries passed legislation that supports the Agency’s goals? If so, give us an example.
3. Are there regional offices and/or grassroots movements that operate as satellites for the Agency?
Intern Presentation
1. What type(s) of degrees must a candidate possess to earn an internship at the UN?
2. What type(s) of training must a candidate have completed to earn an internship at the UN?
3. Must a candidate know a foreign language to earn an internship at the UN?
4. Is every country, or at least every continent, represented in the internship pool?

KATHY: Continue this excursion! Today was awesome, and so informative. Plus, how cool was it that they have a copy of Hammurabi’s Code?

Judenplatz: Thomas Frankl’s gallery

I liked seeing the Thomas Frankl’s artwork in person – and I learned something about Adolf Frankl that Thomas hadn’t told us before: one of the blurbs on the wall said that Adolf Frankl counted Van Gogh as an influencer of his work. After learning that fact, it is surprisingly clear, at least in terms of color and texture, that that was the case. I expected Adolf Frankl’s work to be much darker, but the brightness makes sense now. And this detail about Thomas’ father is important to me too because the Holocaust, for me and I imagine many others, seems really distant and unimaginable – and as a result I still feel secure and safe when talking about it because I am separate physically and can duly force myself to separate my emotions as well. But when I learn a detail about a Holocaust victim or survivor – like that he admired a painter that I also delight in, or in Kluger’s case, that familial troubles were still real and affecting – I am led closer to these people and stories, and I cannot detach myself as I did before. And it’s startling and unsettling when that happens, but the vulnerability of talking about these things is refreshing. Perhaps it is the only way atrocities like the Holocaust can end today and be avoided in the future. Thoughtful commemoration is a difficult task.

Correspondence

Today we went to the Leopold Museum; I loved it. Their Klimt exhibit was, in my opinion, better than the Belvedere’s. The epistolary component of the exhibit was engaging and (gasp!) fun. I glanced at one of the letters, and it read: “Severely hung-over – but hopefully it will be beneficial.” Their exhibit gave a much clearer picture of Klimt as the man, not just the grand artist. Also, it was an incredible experience looking at Klimt’s “Law,” “Medicine,” and “Philosophy” in their original dimensions (even if they were just copies).

I also enjoyed the Leopold because I’ve grown fond of Shiele’s work while I’ve been in Vienna. I like his work – for the same reason why I like da Vinci’s paintings – because he understands the physiology and anatomy of the human body. Therefore, the bodies that he sketches and paints are very realistic in terms of look, proportion, and contortion. Attached is one of my favorites at the Leopold: “The Embrace.”

German word of the day:

German word:	plaudern
English translation:	to chat
Part of speech:	verb

…and art in an expected place!

I unfortunately don’t have any photos of the Belvedere Palace because photographs are prohibited; the guards are pretty good at enforcing that rule too. Right now the main attraction is the Klimt exhibit, which is something I’ve been eager to check out since we arrived. The Kiss was phenomenal of course; though, I did expect it to be bigger. It was an unexpected visit in other ways, too, because Dr. O started a debate among our group today that escalated and left a few members of class hurt and confused. The debate was over the couple in The Kiss – the question, a seemingly simple question: is the woman enjoying herself? One member of class in particular was heartbroken because most people in the class decided that the woman was, in fact, not enjoying herself. She was, and continues to be, convinced that the woman digs the man. I’m still not sure… but her feet look strange regardless.

Art in Unexpected Places

On our way to the Belvedere today, Jenna and I encountered this weird sculpture. And it grew weirder and weirder as we walked closer because it plays music! It was a fun piece of artwork; however, I liked the artwork at the Belvedere much more.

Mozart’s Greatest Hits

Last night we went to a Mozart concert at the State Opera/Konzerthaus. The Golden Hall was magnificent, though I wouldn’t say the acoustics were perfect. Overall a great concert – but, once again, I think a lot of families dragged unwilling relatives to the concert… there were quite a few sleepers about 5 minutes into the program.

Also, look at the photo — aww, what a fun group!

Spa City

My cousin casually told me that Budapest is known for its mineral baths… and, when doing my research about the city, I discovered that its known as “Spa City.” We decided to go to Hotel Gellert, a famous hotel and spa in Budapest, to check out their baths. It took a while to get used to the smell of the mineral water, as well as the swimming caps that they made us wear, but it was fun and relaxing overall.

Hungry for Hungary!

We’re in Budapest today! I’ve always wanted to go, and since it is only 3 hours away from Vienna, it seemed like a worthy weekend excursion! However, as seen in the picture, it seems like we’ve been on the move all week – bags and all! I’ll be happy to stay in Vienna next weekend, especially since it’s our last one during the program.

Well, that well was awesome!

I loved that well at the Esterhazy Castle today – especially when our semi-stern tour guide started making sound effects! [Note my reaction.]

Happy (day after the) Assumption of Mary Day, all!

The best excursion of the trip so far was, hands down, the Alps. I hadn’t been hiking for a few months, so it was a treat in that regard. It was unlike any other hike I had been on in the past; the trails I’ve hiked haven’t been as pebbly/rocky. But, who cares — it’s the Alps!

Wow, it was a fantastic day! I hiked with a great group—Lili, Pilar, Juliet, Jenna, and Maria—and we continually challenged ourselves to keep walking to the next peak. We eventually turned around because we knew that we had to trek close to 10 miles back, but, if we had waiting to stop at the most interesting peak, we would have never stopped because each tip had another wonderful sight to see!

Related to exercise: there’s an ethos about wellness in Austria—and perhaps in all of Europe—that is noticeably different than that of the United States. Austrians seem to integrate exercise and healthy habits into their everyday lives; for instance, many take public transit and walk the rest of the way to work. Additionally, when we were in the Alps, the age of hikers ranged from about 6 years old to late sixties. It was amazing!