Peace & Compassion (Shades Tours) in Vienna — then Bratlislava

Our Shades Tour was fantastic - minus the heat. I can’t believe how HOT it has been lately. This time around we had a rough time meeting up with them. I couldn’t see their Shades Tour sign and they couldn’t see us. We were at the same place on different sides of the concrete - maybe 20 yards apart. But because we were both on the edges of the area, many people looking at the statues were in between us MOST of the time. We finally got going, and immediately I found the guide, Nina, inspiring and in my heart. As she would continue, her tragic story would unfold. She spent a lot more time (or so it seemed at least) sitting or standing and talking with us - opening our minds and perspectives toward the homeless towards greater peace and compassion. At the age of 14 she found herself homeless. What!!! How??? My mind reeled in all different directions. It is so easy to judge the homeless - especially in America. But I found that these same stereotypes and stigmas exist here too. But during tours like this, I begin to see that all homeless people are not lazy, did not enter because of laziness and lack of willingness to work. Nor might they have been addicted to drugs or alcohol and THEN found themselves homeless. It is difficult for me at home to look at them with compassion at times as they sit on the corners begging for money. In my mind I judge them that what they SHOULD be doing is looking for a job. While that may be true, who would give them a job? I know so little of this life as I have grown up with such privilege.

Though in the United States, Nina would not find herself homeless as much as she would find herself within the foster care system. She ran away because her mom had become violent, beating her for 2 years. She stayed that long so her younger sister would be in school and hopefully NOT be beaten. But she could stay no longer. She slept on benches in the park. Men raped her. She finally stopped sleeping in the park but turned to drugs as that is the only way she could find to supress all her suffering. THAT, is sooo sad to me. I don’t understand drugs at all. NOT AT ALL!!! But at the tender age of 14, when most girls are running and jumping or playing with friends, she found herself growing up too quickly. In and out of prison for fighting and then for selling drugs, she felt hopeless. When the judge told her that she could stay in prison for selling drugs for 3 years or go to therapy for 1 year, she thought long and hard. After two months, she opted for therapy and has been heading in an upward direction ever since. She is now 33 and seems to be doing well. She is hoping to save enough money to get a degree in social work and spend money to get a drivers license - which costs an incredible amount (around $1200 or so). THAT is crazy!

Sean and Robert had come with us so we all went to lunch after and then to Bratislava … Priya ended up coming too. What a fun day, again just walking and talking and having a good time. I’m glad Priya came, and I am so happy to have met Sean and Robert. We laughed a lot….and sweated a lot too! Got back very late again though. Goodness, I enjoyed the slow times...to just be. But I have seen some fun things, new things, and made new friends and memories along the way.

Sustainable Development Goals and Meeting them in New Friends

This morning as I left my flat, I stopped at the Penny market to get some Ritter Sport Chocolate. The irony of this experience is worth noting - though I have no documentation in the picture form. As I was buying candy, the man behind me was purchasing 2 bottles of liquor and as I exited the store, a young man on his morning jog passed by. Yes, one of these things is NOT like the other.

I learn something new each time I attend a tour of the United Nations in Vienna. Unlike the past, our guide was American which I believe enriched the experience as she knew how to communicate in English much better. Plus, she had an in depth knowledge that really intrigued me as well as the girls, I think.

Some of the highlights for me this time around were the phrase “Greening the Blue.” Because the United Nations in Vienna has one section that focuses primarily on the atmosphere, this is a key element of their part in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which they refer to as Agenda 2030. I liked the way it went along with our nation’s Healthy People agenda….goals for a 10 year period. Another was the three overarching topics they work towards:

1. Human Rights
2. Peace and Security
3. Development

Another really cool aspect to go along with the super energy efficient and modern buildings that are all different heights so that no one is blocked with a shadow and have curved windows so it allows for the greatest amount of sunlight to enter each office, is the legend I had never heard about as of yet (and this is my 4th visit. Legend has it that of the 24,000 only one is supposed to open - and no one knows which one.

Our tour ended at 11 and the 4 girls sprinted to the bus station to head to Budapest for the day. They are taking advantage of the close travel, but are wearing themselves out, I fear. I also fear they have not spent enough time in Vienna and will regret it in the end. But they are adults, and it IS THEIR choice.

Rachel and I took the opportunity to head south to Burg Liechtenstein. Inevitably, I get turned around EACH TIME I go there. It seems we go a different direction each time as well. So, we walked about a mile or so, slightly uphill until I thought I knew where I was. Along the way I saaw a trail that I figured would come out by the castle, and sure enough, IT DID!! At the point that most women get to after having multiple children, I made a bee-line to the bathroom (passing two guys that looked like Americans). When I got out, they were talking with Rachel. Evidently, they had been at Schonbrunn yesterday and recognized her bag and struck up a conversation. They were cool - after the tour I asked it they had plans and if they wanted to hang out with us. We walked down the the Seegrotte Hinterbruhl, but it was closed as they are making renovations. Bummer!!

Even with the heat, we had a great time finding a bus back to Vienna. We helped them get a pass for the next couple days that is MUCH cheaper than buying a ticket for EACH trip. Then we walked around Vienna showing them the sites. Robert was soooo much like Spencer - agile, active, and doing pull ups and muscle ups anywhere and everywhere. Sean was not so much, but was a soccer coach and a lot of fun. We walked and walked, snapping pics and laughing all the way. We ended up getting dinner at Vapiano’s (my first time this trip) — never disappointing!!

It was getting to that time where it wasn’t dark but the buildings began to take on a different look. Beautiful! We walked a while longer then headed home. Both Rachel and I had planned on an EARLY evening, but didn’t end up getting home til 10:30pm or so! It was a GREAT day….but my feet hurt SOOOOO bad! I couldn’t fall asleep they hurt so bad.

Robert is a graphic artist so he touched up some pics...how awesome is that!

Nostalgia

Heat - Schönbrunn - Esther

Because most of the girls had spent the weekend running through countries, and didn’t get back til 8am this morning, we changed our plans and met at Schönbrunn Palace. The gardens are beautiful - even in the heat! And boy was it hot!!

As I walked, memories of my past visits came to mind! First, the evening with Morgan, Katie, and Bailey and the cool concert. Then the past Study Abroad groups - and the fun I had With my kiddos and Lisa year. It’s a beautiful place - and I was Happy the students really didn’t care to go inside.

We wanted to find a vineyard to walk through but ended up walking to the wrong place. As I’ve read each of the student’s blogs, I’m happy they weren’t upset about it but counted it as a bonding activity.  We were then off to Esther’s for a farewell dinner. She is leaving and won’t be back til after we are gone. It is fun to visit her each year - to sit full of nostalgia on her terrace.

Steps Steps and more Steps

It is quite new for me to have down time....to sit in my apartment, not talking, not listening to anything, just being. I have spent time this morning conversing on FB messenger with a missionary from our Stake, doing laundry, reading my student’s blogs, and blogging myself. Laundry is always interesting when I don’t know the language. Thank goodness for Google Translate. But why was I getting an Error message? Hadn’t I done everything I was supposed to? Oops...forgot to turn on the water. They conserve so much here. I love it....but forget quite often.

Laundry hung to dry, waiting for another, and a happy Denise :) 

This morning I found a blender in a drawer so added a banana to my shake. I brought Shakeology to save time and money and get some good nutrients each day. 

This afternoon I will meet up with Christine again. She will take me somewhere beautiful I am sure. I am looking forward to it. But right now I am relishing the quiet, the solitude, and just being with me. I like me!

And now I am going to read - Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is wonderful. I will be sharing it with my students before we go to Auschwitz next week.

I should have taken a picture for sure...to have proof of eating liver dumplings. I hate liver, I think. It turns me off COMPLETELY. But made into a dumpling...not so bad. It had a bit of a liver type after taste, but not bad. I don’t think I would ORDER it, by ANY stretch, but trying was ok.

Christine was a gracious host with a gift for me and everything. I had THOUGHT to bring her something but had nothing. Then I was going to bring her M&M’s .... that would have been perfect. But I didn’t :(

She took me up to the old psychiatric hospital. LOADS of history - Hitler, maltreatment of mental patients, killing of handicapped children. Sad. But walking up there was beautiful — many people were there. Then we went down and took the U-barn out to the Danube and had another beautiful walk. We had fun laughing, looking at plants, talking, walking, and swatting bugs! It was a fun couple days .... and MANY steps! I have made another friend....and for that I am grateful!