Art and opera

Today I spent the day by myself crawling through the Leopold Art Museum.  It’s pretty much 20th century.  I went to see Klimt, but now have two more favorites, Egon Schiele and Anton Romoke. Last time I saw Schiele I was grossed out, but this time looked more at his landscapes. I think I may fine a quilt beginning in one of these

This is Klimts Death and Life.  The life side of it is frequently seen. It’s really pleasant without the  death side

Below is one picture by my new guy Anton Romako. Love the way he puts details on top of the painting

I met Jordan at a cafe across the street from the opera house.  You can see the opera house out the window.

The opera  house is a pretty fancy place.  Our seats were in the sixth balcony so we had a birds eye view of everything. By the time the opera started every seat was filled

In front of each seat is an iPad type like screen where you can select what language you want your subtitles in.  Without this we would have been a bit lost trying to follow the story.  The opera was Don Giovanni. It was a crazy love story.  A benefit of being in the sixth balcony is that we went out onto the terrace on the building and got a great view of the city at night.

After the opera was over we went our separate ways.  My apartment is on the other side of the city from where Jordan lives. I rode two subways and one tram.  When I got off the tram I was half a block from my building. The greatest transit system.

My tale from the Vienna woods

Jordan and I spent Mother’s Day hiking and dining in the Vienna woods

This view is the reward after the climb through the woods

Lunch happened in the middle of the woods.  I had a cordon blue schnitzel and jordan had a fried ementhaller with a cranberry sauce

Dessert was quite delicious.  Lots of whipped cream, chocolate and jam. 

These pigs live in the woods.  We didn’t see any.  Jordan said he usually sees them outside the fence at the restaurant.  The restaurant is fenced to keep out the pigs. We found this guy in a small informational building at the edge of the woods. I was glad not to meet one on the trail

This facility for men only

Addendum of Vienna symphony

https://youtu.be/YnHGYrSptbs.   This link should give you the view I had while sitting on the concrete for an hour and a half. I loved the conductor.  He’s pretty excitable 

This guy below was sitting just in front of me. He came alone and during the concert he smoked half a pack of cigarettes and drank 3 16 ounce beers.  He was really nice to everyone around him.  I asked to see his program and he gave it to me.

I’ve got this

I continue to learn about living in Vienna. Simone, who owns my apartment, told me how to find a grocery store.  Five minutes walk she said.  After 10 minutes I came to the end of the road so I turned around and decided to look on side streets on my way back.  I saw a man with a sack of groceries and decided to walk past him to find the store he came from.  Turns out it was a middle eastern grocery.  

Back at my apartment I thought it would be good to have  eggs for breakfast.  Of course I couldn’t figure out the stove, so I ended up with scrambled eggs made in the microwave. (Jordan later figured out the stove)

Afternoon at a very special market. Bought cheese and a dress.

Braided cheese

Highlight of the day was an outdoor concert by the Vienna symphony in the museum square. Thousands of people.  The only drawback was sitting on concrete without any wiggle room

Ok, so I really don’t have it. I have some videos of the concert, but can’t figure out how to put them in the blog.  I’m guessing jordan will be able to teach me

Visiting Klimt in Vienna

One of my goals of this trip was to learn more about Gustav Klimt. Since visiting Vienna two years ago I have been enjoying his art more and more.  Jordan and I went to a small museum very near where jordan lives that has been created in his Vienna studio. The story told by the museum summarizes the loss of art during the nazi occupation.  Below are two pics of Klimts studio complete with a copy of his painting smock on the bed.

We were sitting in Klimts garden when I started to fall asleep.  Decided it was time to return to my apartment. After two rides I emerged onto the street and didn’t recognize anything.  Confusion.  I knew I had gotten off at the right station and couldn’t figure out which way to go.  Finally I saw another entry to the subway a block away.  The station had two entries. When I walked to the other entry I was then on the right street but wasnt sure which way I needed to go on the tram.  I went into both tram stops and looked at the maps. I found my street and after only two stops I was home.

Other transit confusion happened in the morning when I was trying to buy my pass.  I wanted a two week pass, but the machine would only give me 1 week, so I bought that one.  Then I realized it didn’t start till Monday and it was Friday so I needed another 3 day pass. The machine would not let me use a 20 euro bill, so I had to get a one day pass.  Later when I met with Jordan I told him about the validation box I had seen at the first station I had been in.  Turns out I needed to slip in my one day pass to put a time stamp on it.  So I had rode illegally. The bright spot is now that 24 hour ticket will get me through the afternoon today and then I can get another 24 hour ticket to get me to Sunday evening. My not knowing what to do actually saved me 8 euro. I’m lucky my ticket was not checked on that first ride.

Vienna by way of Istanbul

Arrived in Vienna by way of Istanbul. It was my third layover and Istanbul, and I have yet to see the city.  If I ever land there again, I will plan a couple days there.  Frustrating to be so close and never touch it.  I had a coffee americano in Istanbul. It was really good, but some how didn’t seem appropriate. On to Vienna. After 17 hours of travel, I think, I arrived in Vienna. Jordan and Richard were there to meet me and they had already been to my Airbnb apartment to pick up the key. A thirty minute train ride got us to within  two blocks of the apartment.  My abode is not fancy but has everything I could need. 

Yesterday was my first full day here.  Was to meet jordan and Richard at 10:30 across town.  I rode the subway with only one transfer.  We had a walk around and then enjoyed a fabulous sushi lunch.  All ordering  done on iPad. The restaurant allows you to stay two hours.  We used the whole two hours. Jordan kept ordering. 

We the. Sat in a park and bought some tickets.  We three will be going to a symphony concert in the Hofburg palace on the night of Jordan’s graduation which is also in this palace.  Jordan and I will be going to Don Giovanni at the Vienna opera house Monday 

Upcoming Bell Tower Artisan Showcase

In just over a week, Saturday, February 10 from noon to 4:30, the 10th Artisan Showcase willl happen at Bell Tower Residence Hall in Merrill.  I have participated each year and find the event to be well planned and presented. The venue is the beautiful Assisi Hall in the Bell Tower Residence facility located on the south side of Merrill just off Center Avenue at 1500 O’Day Street. I’ll be bringing a variety of my work both to show and sell including a variety of jewelry, textured paintings and some small original art quilts.  Below are a few pictures of some recent jewelry pieces I have made incorporating wire work which I am currently fascinated with