#48 Hours In Vienna

[travelseewrite]

48 Hours In Vienna, A Detailed Travel Guide For First-Time Visitors To The Austrian Capital

Vienna, the capital of Austria, exudes imperial grandeur and artistic legacy. Every time I have visited this historic city, I have been in awe of its stunning architecture, classical music, and culinary delights. Though as cliched as it sounds, the city perfectly blends old and new with its beautiful historic buildings and contemporary cultural scene. Vienna attracts millions of visitors annually, making it one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Although I’ve visited this imperial city thrice, I explore it like a first-time visitor. Therefore, I could only say yes when Air India offered me to visit Vienna on their newly launched Delhi-Vienna route.

Why visit Vienna

Last but not least, Austria’s capital, Vienna, is the biggest wine-producing city in the world. Home to 700 hectares of vineyards and more than 630 wine producers, Vienna is the only capital in the world to produce so much wine within the city limits — including famous wine destinations like France’s Bordeaux, Italy’s Tuscany and USA’s Napa Valley.

When is the best time to visit Vienna?

Although there is no wrong time to visit Vienna, having visited Vienna several times in different seasons, the best time to visit Vienna is during the spring and fall months — from April to May and September to October. The weather is mild, and the city has a lesser influx of tourists than in the peak summer months. However, visiting Vienna during the holiday season is a must if you enjoy Christmas markets.

Spring in Vienna is a magical time of year when the city is brimming with blooming flowers, warm sunshine, and abundant cultural events. Renowned for its beautiful gardens and parks, the city has many spots to check out spring blooms. Some of Vienna’s best places to check out spring blooms are Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, Stadtpark, Belvedere Palace Gardens, and Volksgarten.

How to reach Vienna

My Experience Flying Delhi to Vienna by Air India

If you are flying from India, I recommend you take Air India’s direct flight from Delhi to Vienna. I flew business class with them, and it was a delightful experience. Firstly, the flight timings are super convenient — departure and arrival are not at odd hours of the day. My Delhi to Vienna flight departed from Delhi at 2.30 pm and arrived at Vienna airport at 6.30 pm. This convenient time of flying and landing gifted me extra time to explore the nightlife the same day. While returning, I had an 8:30 pm flight departure and a 7 am landing. This gave me a whole night’s rest and no jet lag.

The in-flight comfort and entertainment were exceptionally great, and the multicourse meals served on the plane were prepared by the reputed Chefs of the Taj Hotel. My entire journey from airport check-in to landing at Vienna airport was smooth and comfortable.

Most importantly, the friendly and polite cabin crew won my heart. They made me feel like I was not travelling with some airline staff but with family members.

Getting around Vienna

Exploring Vienna by Public Transport

Although Vienna is a walkable city, I recommend purchasing a Vienna City Card to cover more ground in less time. This card offers unlimited use of Vienna’s public transportation system and discounts at various attractions and restaurants. Vienna has one of the best public transportation systems in Europe, which includes buses, trams, and a metro system known as the U-Bahn. You can purchase single tickets or a 24-hour or 48-hour pass, depending on your needs. Prices start at Price 17 Euro. Taxis and Uber are also available for getting around the city.

Read more About:- 48 Hours In Vienna

[thethirdromana]

Mina's journey across Europe, in pictures

I started writing this post with great intentions, because normally when there are train journeys in this book, they dovetail beautifully with the actual details of contemporary railway timetables.

That does not happen here. @spider-xan shared that in Bram Stoker's original notes, Mina's letter on the 24th was instead dated to the 26th, which would make a lot more sense. But I still thought it would be fun to try to illustrate and plan out the journey that Mina takes.

Here's what Bram Stoker tells us:

19 August - Mina gets Jonathan's letter 20 August - Mina sets off 20-22 August - Mina travels via Hull and Hamburg 23 August - Mina reaches Budapest

And here's my attempt to figure out her journey.

20 August - Whitby to Hull

I think the quickest route from Whitby to Hull would have been via York. There were several direct trains from Whitby to York every day (a journey which took about 2 hours), and more changing at Malton. York to Hull was another 2.5 hours.

It might also have been possible to go via Scarborough, but despite being a much shorter route, Whitby to Scarborough also took 2 hours. Either way, Mina should easily be able to get to Hull by the evening of the 20th.

Whitby

Hull

There was a steamer from Hull to Hamburg every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, by assorted different companies (p181). Unfortunately I can't find timetable details for this either, but Leith to Hamburg took 48 hours (p76) and from Hull is 75% of the distance (422 miles vs 561 miles). The steamers seem to have left with the evening tide as a rule.

21 August - at sea

22 August - Hamburg to Berlin

Hamburg

Assuming the steamer takes around 40 hours, then Mina arrives in Hamburg around midday.

I think Berlin is Mina's likely next destination, though there are different routes she could choose. There are lots of possible trains to Berlin, but if she leaves around 1pm, she's likely to get there around 8pm (p46, my reference for the rest of this post).

Berlin

Mina's next destination is Vienna. There's a night train that leaves Berlin at 9.35pm, using the fastest route via Prague.

23 August - Vienna to the night train

Mina's train would reach Vienna at 8.19pm the next day - it's a journey of nearly 24 hours. Hopefully the restaurant car is decent.

Vienna

I then stop being able to match Bram Stoker's timeline. (And bear in mind that I'm already being optimistic in terms of how quickly I'm assuming Mina is getting through customs and crossing borders.)

The next train to Budapest from Vienna is at 9.06pm, and the one after is at 11pm. Neither of them arrive in Budapest until the next day.

24 August - the night train to Budapest

The earlier train reaches Budapest at 2.10am. Or if Mina only gets the later train, then she reaches Budapest at the more reasonable hour of 7am.

Budapest

... where she is reunited with Jonathan <3

Mina's journey in numbers:

5 trains

1 boat

1,200 miles

4 and a bit days (sorry Bram)

and 1 brand new husband!

[transgenderer]

Fuck I think the amp is making me post instead of doing math. No. I'm a person witn autonomy. I keep going on Friday trips and not telling my advisor and then having hopefully imperceptibly less achieved between our meetings. Cuz like. What, I'm gonna spend less than 48 hours in Vienna? But unfortunately yesterday I was...sick? Depressed? I slept until like 11 am and then again from 2 to 7. So I only got like two hours of work done in whcih I made basically no progress. And I didn't do any work fridah Cuz Vienna. And my advisor is leaving the country tomorrow so we're calling tonight. So since our meeting Thursday I've made literally like zero progress. Unfortunately the thing happened again where we talk it out in the meeting and it seems like the next steps are just mopping up details and then it doesn't work out the way it should so it looks like I got nothing done. Because as soon as the meeting ended I hit a wall and then battered at the wall pointlessly for many hours. Grad school....

[javier-pena]

it's been six days since the vienna shows have been cancelled and london starts in 48 hours and taylor still hasn't said anything at all, and like ... even a "vienna 💔" would've been enough, this was supposed to be her first time playing in austria and now it didn't happen and she isn't even acknowledging it and it just sucks to feel so overlooked after everything

[batsplat]

It didn't turn out quite as we'd planned because I got sick, really sick. I had cold sweats and a terrible fever, to the point where I couldn't walk and could hardly talk or even hear because my ears were blocked up. I was starting to improve when we made the short drive over the Austrian border for me to catch a flight from Vienna to Doha, Qatar, for the second race of the season. I had to say goodbye to Adri as she was going home to Adelaide. When we arrived in Vienna we found out our flight had been delayed for 24 hours, so we ended up driving back to Adri's family's place until the next day. When we did eventually get a flight, for some bizarre reasons the woman at the check-in put my tickets together with some guy who was travelling in business class who I didn't know. I didn't worry too much about it then but when I went to transfer to our connecting flight in Dubai they wouldn't let me board the plane until the guy turned up, even though my name was on the list. I waited for everyone to board and of course the guy didn't show. He must have taken an earlier flight but I had no way of knowing for sure. I was furious! I had to go ll the way out of the terminal and book another flight but there wasn't an available seat until the next day. I didn't have a credit card back then so that made things a lot more difficult too. I spent 24 hours in Dubai airport and arrived in Doha 48 hours later than planned, with only an hour to spare before the first free practice was due to start.

^Casey Stoner in FP1

I spoke to Lucio when I landed and he said, 'If your bags don't arrive within five minutes just leave them.' I arrived at the track ten minutes before the session started, got changed, got on the bike and set the fastest time of the session. I was four-tenths of a second quicker than my closest challenger, who was Valentino Rossi. I ran second fastest in the second session that afternoon, fastest in the third free practice the next morning and then qualified on pole position. I was the second youngest rider ever to do that after Grand Prix legend Freddie Spencer.

^Casey Stoner before the race

I suppose it was a bit too much to ask for that momentum to continue through the race. Since 2008 we have ridden at night in Qatar because the organisers wanted to introduce a night race into the calendar. Qatar was always a good race for us because of the hot conditions, the tyres would overheat causing the bike to move around a lot more, and that suited me. I enjoyed racing in the heat but because of my lack of sleep and the hectic flight my sickness started to get worse again. I wasn't able to recuperate so by race day I was already worn out. I managed to hold off Rossi and lead for the opening nine laps of the race but I was tired so wasn't able to be as aggressive on the bike as I needed to be and I gradually dropped out of the podium positions and finished fifth, which was still a good result considering the lead-up, I wanted better though.

^Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi fighting in the race, shaking hands afterwards

from Casey Stoner's 'Pushing the Limits' about Qatar 2006, his second premier class race and first pole position

[noirandchocolate]

Happy 345th Birthday to Antonio Vivaldi! (March 4, 1678-July 28, 1741) Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born in Venice on the same day an earthquake shook the canal city, and as a newborn was so weak his family was sure he wouldn’t live long. But live he did, and at age 25, he was ordained in the Catholic Church. Thereafter he was often called “il Prete Rosso” (“the red priest”) after the red hair he inherited from his father (who was also a composer, and published an opera under the name “Giovanni Battista Rossi”). Vivaldi had poor health attributed to what we now understand as a form of asthma his entire life, but that didn’t prevent him from becoming a virtuoso violinist, music teacher and choir conductor to orphaned girls at Venice’s Ospidale della Pietà, and very prolific composer. (It did, however, earn him special dispensation from conducting Mass.) Though best known for his collection of concerti “The Four Seasons,�� Vivaldi composed more than 500 other concerti for a wide variety of instruments, a large number of sacred choral pieces, sinfonias, 90 sonatas, chamber music, and 46 operas. After dedicating his Opus 9 to Charles VI of the Habsberg Empire, Vivaldi was even made a knight by the Holy Roman Emperor.

Vivaldi died at age 63 in Vienna after a musical career with many ups and downs. He is now one of the most well-known composers of the Baroque era, and his innovative approach to concerti in particular also inspired later famous composers like Johann Sebastian Bach.

(Source)

But enough with the biographical details--you're here for the music, aren't you?

Well you are in luck because here is a Youtube playlist I've made of some of the Red Priest's greatest hits! It's hours long and great for background listening. It even includes a video of part of the "Winter" concerto being played on a Stradivarius (the legendary violin maker was a contemporary of Vivaldi's)! Please enjoy!

Or, if you'd just like to listen to the Four Seasons, which takes only about 42 minutes, here you go.

Spring= 00:00 Summer = 10:31 Autumn = 20:59 Winter = 32:48

Now go forth and enjoy ANTONIO LUCIO VIVALDI this March 4, everyone!

[sagemoderocklee]

Return to Sender Original Soundtrack

Once a month, like clockwork, Rock Lee waited with baited breath for his mail to arrive. -Return to Sender, Chapter One

Listen on Spotify (Recommended listening: chronological order. Track list below the cut)

No Postage Necessary 1. The First of the Month Running [Black Violin // Stereotypes] 2. Unwelcome Realization Stray Italian Greyhound [Vienna Teng // Inland Territory] 3. Denial So Afraid [Janelle Monáe // Dirty Computer] 4. Painful Truths You Don't Know What Love Is [Chet Baker, Carson Smith, Bob Neel, Russ Freeman // Chet Baker Sings] 5. The Shinobi Way (Isn't to Love You) I'm a Fool to Love You [Billie Holiday // Lady in Satin: The Centennial Edition] 6. Small Comforts Hope [Daughter // Music from Before the Storm] 7. The Love Letter My Love - Acoustic [Florence+the Machine // Dance Fever (Deluxe)]

Shipping Label Created 8. Promotion The Mission [Black Violin // Classically Trained] 9. Trying to be Helpful Everybody Talks [Neon Trees // Picture Show] 10. Where Is It? Overwhelmed [Chloe x Halle // Ungodly Hour] 11. Friendly Advice Love Will Save the Day [Whitney Houston // Whitney]

Tracking Number 12. Delayed Departure Under Pressure [Queen, David Bowie // Hot Space] 13. Forgive An Old Man's Mistakes Youth [Daughter // If You Leave] 14. Parting Due West [Kelsey Lu // Due West]

In Transit 15. The Journey to Suna Running [No Doubt // Rock Steady (Expanded Edition)] 16. Arrival Come on Home [Franz Ferdinand // Franz Ferdinand] 17. Pressed Against You in the Windowseat Heavenly Day [Patty Griffin // Children Running Through] 18. Guilt Rising Caught [Florence+the Machine // How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Deluxe)]

Out for Delivery 19. Consumed Teeth [Mallrat // Butterfly Blue] 20. The Birthday Festival Landmines [St. Vincent // Marry Me] 21. (Where is) The Love Letter My Love - MEDUZA REMIX [Florence+the Machine, MEDUZA] 22. Red Handed, Empty Handed // Flee Nephilim [Ebony Bones!, The Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra] 23. Open Wounds Biting Down [Lorde // Pure Heroine (Extended)]

Attempted Delivery 24. Waiting Feather Moon [Vienna Teng // Warm Strangers] 25. Try Arrow [Tegan and Sara // Sainthood] 26. Falling Falling [Florence+the Machine // Lungs] 27. Again, Try Break Your Heart [Natalie Merchant // Ophelia] 28. Old Letters, Fresh Snow Waiting for the Snow [Of Monsters and Men // Fever] 29. Apologies One by One [Ruby Amanfu // Standing Still] 30. Secret Grief // A Sister's Meddling Sunlight [Michael Yezerski // The Vigil (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)]

Scheduled Redelivery 31. Waiting, Again How [Daughter // Not to Disappear] 32. Engagement I Wish I Was the Moon [Neko Case // Blacklisted] 33. The Package What You Do to Me [Straight Line Stitch // When Skies Wash Ashore] 34. Nightmares // Fugue State Thousand Eyes [Of Monsters and Men // Beneath the Skin (Deluxe)] 35. Junjō Full of Grace [Sarah McLachlan // Surfacing] 36. Acceptance, Not Forgiveness Love Ridden [Fiona Apple // When the Pawn...]

Signature Required 37. Self-Abasement SUN GOES DOWN [Lil Nas X] 38. The Party Golden Age [Ethel Cain // Golden Age] 39. Oversleeping Watching You Without Me [Kate Bush // Hounds of Love] 40. Your Scars, My Hands Between [Vienna Teng // Waking Hour] 41. Conversations in the Sky Hard Feelings/Loveless [Lorde // Melodrama] 42. Sunsets From A Different (Love) Letter My Love - Dave Glass Animals Remix [Florence+the Machine, Glass Animals]

Wrong Address 43. One Step Forward, Two Steps Back Splintered [Aisha Badru // Pendulum] 44. Don't Forget: Try Sand in My Shoes [Dido // Life for Rent] 45. A New Desk, Another Letter Circles [Of Monsters and Men] 46. How Long Will You Make Me Wait? Wait Another Day [Uh Huh Her // Common Reaction] 47. My Scars, Your Hands Bridges [Aisha Badru // Pendulum] 48. Ambush Kill of the Night [Gin Winmore // Gravel & Wine] 49. Captivity Destroyer [Of Monsters and Men} 50. Dreadful Feelings, Dreadful News Flaws [Daughter // Music From Before the Storm]

Your Package Has Arrived! 51. The Love Letter My Love [Florence+the Machine, Dance Fever] 52. Unconscious But Alive Colorblind [Counting Crows // Cruel Intentions] 53. A Father's Gratitude Undeniable You [Jukebox the Ghost // Jukebox the Ghost] 54. Trauma Honestly Ok [Dido // No Angel] 55. Heart Eater Gentle Beast - Interlude [Utada Hikaru // Heart Station] 56. Confessions Drop in the Ocean [Michelle Branch // The Spirit Room]

Special Delivery! 57. 54 Days Sundown [Nightwish // Imaginaerum (The Score)] 58. Whatever it Takes Our Love Will Survive [Wild Belle // Dreamland] 59. Through the Bad Days, Through the Good Harbor [Vienna Teng // Warm Strangers] 60. Framed Letters Bigger Than Love [Oh Wonder // Ultralife] 61. Sunset XO [Beyoncé // Beyoncé (Platinum Edition)] 62. Tender Kisses Touch My Scars This Love [Craig Armstrong, Elizabeth Fraser // Cruel Intentions] 63. Marry Me Put Your Arms Around Me [Texas // White on Blonde]

[nothingunrealistic]

billions season 7 timeline notes

7x01 tower of london: the printer throwing incident happens five months after prince’s discussion with wendy about running for president in 2024.

7x01 tower of london: the rhoades family dinner at primola is a “super-early bird” dinner.

7x01 tower of london: axe’s flight to switzerland cost bach six months of good standing with the bar.

7x01 tower of london: a news headline mentions hurricane nicole making landfall in vero beach, florida, which happened on november 10, 2022.

7x01 tower of london: axe arranged a deal to get javelin anti-tank missiles to ukraine “early in the conflict.”

-

7x02 original sin: korlera’s medical devices use bluetooth 5.2, the specification for which was released in december 2019.

7x02 original sin: chuck gets the call from the president after 9 pm.

7x02 original sin: when axe asks wendy & wags & taylor to stay in london, wags claims that they arrived three days ago and that he would have accepted if axe had asked them then.

7x02 original sin: luke asks prince and andy to list all the sexual partners they’ve had in the last five years.

7x03 winston dick energy: michael lewis and the bar patrons are celebrating the 35th anniversary of liar’s poker, which was published in 1989.

7x03 winston dick energy: ben kim has been seeing dr. mayer for six months, and she’s returning from her conference in vienna “tomorrow night.”

7x03 winston dick energy: winston pitches wde to bonnie’s firm the day after leaving prince cap.

7x03 winston dick energy: prince gives taylor and philip 48 hours to handle winston before sacker takes legal action.

7x03 winston dick energy: senior was faithful to his wife for five months after chuck’s son kevin was born, but broke that streak at the opening of the bedminster golf club, which happened on the fourth of july weekend in 2004.

7x03 winston dick energy: prince’s super PAC filing is dated november 28, 2022.

7x03 winston dick energy: winston was born in 1989, despite previously claiming he was about five years old when the matrix came out in 1999.

7x04 hurricane rosie: allerd has been visiting gamblers anonymous meetings for years.

7x04 hurricane rosie: prince and kai huang liu senior have been in business together for over a decade.

7x04 hurricane rosie: scooter is supposed to conduct the new york philharmonic orchestra “two weeks from tomorrow.”

7x04 hurricane rosie: kai huang liu senior and junior are 50 and 22, respectively.

7x04 hurricane rosie: tuk claims the last category five hurricane was years ago. as of the airing of 7x04, the most recent category five atlantic hurricane was hurricane ian in late september 2022, likely after this line was written, though before it was filmed. the most recent category five atlantic hurricanes prior to ian were hurricanes dorian and lorenzo, both in september 2019.

7x04 hurricane rosie: chuck’s board of leads on prince has dates spanning from 1990 to 2023.

7x04 hurricane rosie: philip taught his chess club to play poker in sixth grade, won money from them in high school, and in eleventh grade decided to use that money to throw them all a party at the end of twelfth grade.

7x04 hurricane rosie: prince claims he’ll be in office in two years.

7x04 hurricane rosie: everything from the first scene at prince cap to the end of the episode happens in one day.

7x05 the gulag archipelago: prince and scooter are attending a listening party for killer mike’s album michael, which was released on june 16, 2023.

7x05 the gulag archipelago: wendy and luke’s dinner reservation is for 7:30.

7x05 the gulag archipelago: prince and scooter leave the listening party and get their phones back at 5:20 pm.

7x05 the gulag archipelago: the entire episode, barring the flashbacks to ira being mugged, takes place on friday, january 13, 2023.

7x06 the man in the olive drab t-shirt: grigor asks axe to get him back into america 72 hours before axe relays that request to chuck.

7x06 the man in the olive drab t-shirt: prince was “a kid” during ross perot’s presidential campaign in 1992.

7x06 the man in the olive drab t-shirt: when wags talks to sacker about her run for congress, her filing deadline is months away and prince's speech is days away.

7x06 the man in the olive drab t-shirt: sacker refers to her conversation with luke in 7x05 as being “a few weeks back.”

7x06 the man in the olive drab t-shirt: prince receives the second round of employee feedback and sacker’s list of replacement attorneys the day before his speech.

7x07 dmv: kevin’s driving test was on a monday morning.

7x07 dmv: the prize for casino night includes an all-expenses-paid trip to the irish open, which is held yearly in september.

7x07 dmv: wendy says casino night was “the other night” when explaining that it functioned as a performance review.

7x08 the owl: senior has been going to the owl for 52 years.

7x08 the owl: a financial journal article says that prince’s tv appearance in 7x06 was “last month.”

7x08 the owl: the first day of the winter conclave of the owl is on tuesday, march 7, 2023.

7x09 game theory optimal: scooter hired an expert in english architecture weeks ago.

7x09 game theory optimal: judge rucker reduces dr. gilbert’s prison sentence to 26 months, which he has already served.

7x09 game theory optimal: the first time chuck abused the power of his office was when he was a line prosecutor.

7x09 game theory optimal: wendy plans to start work as the ceo of mental on monday.

7x10 enemies list: taylor and axe’s attempt to buy shares in mental is carried out after hours on a private market.

7x10 enemies list: wendy has rian come to chuck's house before the market opens to look over mental’s financial records.

7x10 enemies list: wendy signed her contract with mental on march 23, 2023.

7x10 enemies list: derek was in a chinese prison for “a few weeks” from his capture in 7x08 to his release in this episode.

7x11 axe global: the entire episode takes place in the two days following the end of 7x10, with the flashbacks being the day after and the present-day segments being two days after.

7x11 axe global: dunlop says she likes the “spunk and fire” of angel reese, a college basketball player who became known for her actions in an ncaa championship game on april 2, 2023.

7x11 axe global: the rally at which prince announces dunlop as his running mate is on msnbc at 11:02 pm.

7x11 axe global: the first presidential briefing to which prince is invited is at camp david tomorrow.

7x12 admirals fund: wags and sacker’s conversation in the elevator in 7x06 was 8 weeks ago. sacker’s confrontation of wendy, wags, and taylor came a few hours later.

7x12 admirals fund: the second meeting of the performance review panel in 7x07 was 4 weeks ago.

7x12 admirals fund: axe expects to have between 90 minutes and 2 hours to act while prince is at camp david.

7x12 admirals fund: news of the energy sector investigation leaks about 20 minutes after chuck tells the sdny not to leak anything.

7x12 admirals fund: the reinstatement of connerty's law license is dated april 4, 2023.

7x12 admirals fund: axe's dinner with dunlop in 7x11 was 4 days ago.

7x12 admirals fund: the meeting at which axe suggested moving employee accounts into the admirals fund was the same day as the peace talks in 7x11, and was 3 days ago.

7x12 admirals fund: the price of the six natural gas stocks affected by rumors of an investigation was lowest around 1 pm.

conclusion: season 7 takes place from early november 2022 to early april 2023.

[aajjks]

bunny!jungkook hello, i’m dr.park. you’re mother in law has been updating me on everything that has been happening lately and firstly i want to apologize for everything. losing your wife and now almost your daughter.. it’s just horrible.. i have been overlooking ellas stay. after we did some tests we did declare she was poisoned a few days ago actually. and just vienna larger dose the morning your wife was taken. has ella been around anybody without you or your wife around? you spent the day with her? when was this? less than a week ago? the first sign of poison in ella’s blood was detected to have been roughly 4 to 5 days ago. did she show any signs of weakness, coughing, throwing up? okay.. it wasn’t as large of a dose as this one was. we looked at her throat at it had what looks like rashes. meaning someone must have forced it down her throat. luckily she got here when she did or else we’d be going over funeral arrangements. normally we don’t allow anyone to stay overnight but considering everything you’re going through i’m guessing you aren’t going to be leaving your daughter anytime soon. she should only be here for 48 hours just so we can make sure everything is out of her system and she has no serious health risks. i’ll leave you two alone now. if you need anything just hit that red button, okay.

ella: daddy.. i hurt.. my throat.. i want mommy.. *cough*.. daddy.. mommy hurt..mommy hurt really bad.. they hurt her.. mommy tired to protect me but they hurt mommy.. *the 3 year old says as she begins to tear up* i miss my mommy..

“Baby calm down… see daddy’s here with you… oh my baby I-I know your throats hurting… wait what? T-They hurt mommy? Who were they baby? Can you tell daddy? My pretty girl I’m so sorry that daddy wasn’t there to protect you two… I swear I’ll bring your mommy back… I swear… just go to sleep daddy’s here with you… I love you so much.”

[historysurvivalguide]

Astrolabe with a Compass

This astrolabe has three tympanums, two of which are made for latitudes 41° and 43° (Naples, Pisa) and 45° and 48° (Piacenza, Bavaria, and Vienna) respectively. The third tympanum carries: (1) on the front, a geographic planisphere, with equator, the tropics, and the names of the continents; (2) on the back, a degree scale, a zodiacal circle, a calendar, a diagram for converting equal hours into unequal hours, and a shadow square. A small magnetic compass is lodged in the throne, on which the year of construction is indicated. The back has a celestial planisphere with the orthographic projection of Juan de Rojas. The rule with an orthographic projection of the meridians lacks a cursor. Provenance: Vincenzo Viviani bequest.

[chrancecriber]

Radio SunLounge Romania (March 22, 2023)

23:58 Pianochocolate - Morning Coffee 23:52 Eguana - Way To The House 23:46 Sweet Velvet - In My Dreams 23:46 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 23:40 Florzinho - Vem Conmigo (Euphonic Traveller Remix) 23:35 Shakes Seven - This Time 23:29 Dot Vegan - In Good Time 23:23 Esonic - Mellow Swing 23:19 Bevasso - A Night Like This (The Cure) 23:14 Roger Sanchez - Another Chance 23:10 Johannes Huppertz - Short Message Service 23:08 The Dining Rooms - Dreamy Smiles (Radio Version) 23:02 Re - Lounge - No Ordinary Love (Stephen Floyd Rework) 22:56 Jp - Juice - Cette Planete (Sushi Club Remix) 22:51 Mez - Fuck'n Jazz 22:48 Fancy Vienna - I'll Follow 22:44 Stephen Emmer - Under Your Spell Ft. Chaka Khan (Moods Remix) 22:39 Dave Jerome - The Future Is Love (Original Mix) 22:33 Hessismore - Yes Boss 22:28 Steen Thottrup - Heading For The Sunrise 22:27 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 22:22 Florian Fai - Rooftop Martini (Original Mix) 22:18 Loop Fruit Split - Rain Reason 22:14 Tycho - Into The Woods 22:11 Mozart - Burdened No More 22:10 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 22:03 Van - Life Journey 21:57 Briza - Reflections On The Highway 21:52 Messiah Project - Sadeness 21:46 Purple Avenue - Justify My Love 21:41 Heiko - Miles Away 21:33 Dimitris Manasidis - Love You For Life - Bobby Deep Sunset Mix 21:28 Lisa Shaw - I'm Ok 21:25 Deephouse 84 - A Night On The Beach 21:20 Sunyata Project - Inner Lights (Feat. Miyabi) 21:16 Bliss - Positive Reaction 21:11 Newton - New Beautiful Life 21:05 Marga Sol - Buddhanima 21:05 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 21:01 Amaraldo - Keep On 20:57 Jazzamor - Lovin' You 20:52 Pier-o Feat. Marga Sol - Air Of Love (Original Mix) 20:47 Roberto Sol & Florito - Love Finds You Feat. Martine (Original Mix) 20:42 Lazy Grooves - Walk With Me 20:36 Man In A Room - The Confidential 20:28 Eguana - Long Trip To Nowhere 20:23 Maskara - Feel The Nature (Original Mix) 20:19 The Nightfly - Hope And Glory 20:12 Christa Vi - Small Way Through (Cosmonaut Grechko Version) 20:06 Cafe Americaine - Infrajam (Loungebar Mix) 20:01 Aromabar - Simple Life 20:01 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 19:58 Emilie Simon - Desert 19:54 Miss B.t - Right Now (Sweet Lovin-' Edit) 19:49 Cafe Americaine - L Amour 19:43 Climatic - Left 19:39 Paul Hardcastle - Chillstep Echoes (Feat. Maxine Hardcastle) 19:34 Katun - Shout (Feat. Nattie) 19:32 Goson - Stop 19:26 Sunset Session Group - Soulsalicious 19:20 Placid Larry - Dew Drops 19:16 Amelie - Softwood 19:12 Living Room - Golden Ride 19:07 Beach Hoppers - Keep Dreaming (Eskadet Moonlight Version) 19:04 Kirsty Hawkshaw Mts. Tenisia - Reason To Forgive 19:00 Mr Vaud - Digital Inspiration 18:57 Hot City Walk (Original Mix) - Lasteden 18:53 Luke - Heaven-'s On Fire 18:47 Club Des Belugas - Phantastic Philadelphia 18:43 Pluto Project - Erophone 18:39 Cam - Romantic Love 18:34 Mandalay - It's Enough Now 18:34 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 18:30 Velvet Lounge Project - How Far, How Long 18:26 The Frost - Volna (Original Mix) 18:20 Double Wave - Psychedelic 18:16 Jakatta - It Will Be 18:15 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 18:11 Chillbirds - Breaking Out 18:06 Mirage Of Deep - More Than I Can Bear 18:02 Fused - Twisted (Reprise) 17:59 Aiemo - Dreaming Eyes (Vocal Mix) 17:59 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 17:54 Vargo - Speak To Me 17:48 Chicane - Looking Down (Drax & Goodings Room With A View Remix) 17:42 Christos Fourkis - Butterflies Everywhere (Original Mix) 17:35 Climatic - Hazy Days 17:30 Atb - Some Things Just Are The Way They Are 17:25 Cocogroove - Martini Royale (Kiss Me James Mix) 17:20 From P60 - You Take Me 17:14 D. Batistatos - Late Hours 17:09 Maritime (Caribic Flow Mix) - Cafe Americaine 17:04 Merge Of Equals - Clear Blue Sky 16:57 Dos Buratinos - Control U Inbox (Take Control Remix) 16:53 Basti M, Brockman Feat. Nic - Live Your Life (Free Your Mind) (Brockman & Basti M Sunset Mix) 16:48 Mind Into Mind - Ready To Fly (Instrumental) 16:43 Charly Mclion - Beachday 16:39 Living Room - Karma Ocean 16:35 Ganga, Sophie Tusnelda - Golden Lightfalls 16:29 Gold Lounge - Promised Land 16:24 Monique Bon - La Musique 16:19 Eddie Silverton - Coincidences 16:14 Sundance Girl - Open Your Arms (Falling To Pieces Mix) 16:10 Alien Cafe - Paris Depression 16:05 Beach Hoppers - Bit By Bit 15:58 Fresh Moods - Cocomilk 15:55 Marc Hartman - Goodvibes (Song For Thom & Susanne) 15:51 Mystic Diversions - Float On 15:46 Messiah Project - Sadeness 15:41 Idenline - Call Me (Original Mix) 15:36 Man In A Room - Night Mail (Feat. Civilian) 15:31 Wonderphazz - Memories (Chill Guide Mix) 15:25 Lazy Hammock - Tomorrow Is A New Day (Original Mix) 15:20 S.w. - Humans And Gods 15:13 Lemongrass - What You Believe 15:08 Chillwalker - A Dream Comes True (Red Horizon Mix) 15:03 Middle - Warm Sunset 15:00 Trillian Miles - Swamp Girl 14:58 Keanurhodes - Good Morning 14:53 Soundlift - Savage Islands (Original Mix) 14:47 Sunyata Project - Pi Lo Chun (Extended Mix) 14:41 Planet Funk - Under The Rain 14:37 Aloha Cafe - Night In Altamy 14:32 Puch - Playground 14:27 Phontaine - Node 14:22 Cocogroove - Puerto Azul (Blue Waves Mix) 14:17 Sofa Groovers - I Feel Love 14:14 Paul Hardcastle - Dancing Galaxies 14:09 Thievery Corporation - Web Of Deception 14:04 Sphere - Dreamer 13:59 Oscar Salguero - With You 13:55 Thievery Corporation - Free 13:51 Eduardo Arroya - Ring ...hello (Close Your Eyes) 13:46 Hacienda - Data Love 13:41 Gush Ibizen - Plans With You (Ibiza Guitar Girl Mix) 13:38 Mozambo - Hurt & Soul 13:34 Califonia Girl - Can See The Light (Beachside Mix) 13:29 Triangle Sun - Secret Desire 13:22 Miguel Migs - The Night (Rk's Vocal Mix) 13:22 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 13:17 Dj Rico Bonetti - Chill Solution 13:12 Papercut - End Of A Love Affair 13:08 Lemongrass - Frozen Boy 13:02 Future Loop Foundation - I Love Her More (Part 3) 12:56 Mariella Narvaez - All Night 12:51 Andreya Triana - Lost Where I Belong 12:47 El Petit Jardi - Clic Du Mer (Original Mix) 12:43 Ohm G - Island Dreams 12:35 Djibooti - Shadows And Voices (Tom Tom Mix) 12:29 Lazy Hammock - Summer Chill 12:23 Purple Avenue - Love & Sex & Magic 12:20 Electus - Pandora 12:16 Sky Sergeant - Hawaii Island Hoppers (Beachwave Cruiser Mix) 12:11 Asheni - Butterfly (Original Mix) 12:05 Trumpet Thing - The Kiss 12:03 Phlocalyst, Mr. Käfer - Luminous 11:59 Nor Elle Feat. Bella Wagner - Love True Dimension 11:54 Slackwax - Midnight 11:51 Minus Blue - Too Far To Speak (Original Mix) 11:47 Nasser Shibani - Time Chase (Original Mix) 11:42 Moca - Kleine Traumerei 11:35 Orange Music - Leave It All Behind (Vocal Mix) Feat. Mirjam 11:28 Twentyeight - Monday Night 11:23 Don Gorda Project - Cielo Terso 11:18 Cocogroove - Lagoon No. 7 (Guitar Mix) 11:13 Urban Phunk Society - Changing Spaces 11:08 York, Asheni - Mercury Rising (Chillout Mix) 11:04 Donna De Lory - The Unchanging (Atom Smith Chill Yoga Flow Remix) 11:00 Beanfield - Chosen (Feat. Ernesto) 10:55 Afterlife - Still 10:50 Merge Of Equals - Trees On The Moon 10:46 Hooverphonic - Mad About You (Llorca's Radio Shot) 10:40 Mind Conventions - Sweet Fever 10:36 Blank & Jones - Pure Shores 10:32 Atb - Break My Heart 10:26 York - Iceflowers 10:25 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 10:20 Cupsurfer - Finishing The Boat 10:17 Samsara Inc. - Endless Autumn 10:11 Vincent Vegas - Via Del Sol (Canyamel Mix) 10:05 Steen Thottrup, Denver Knoesen - Balearic Bliss 09:59 Koop - Relaxin' At Club F****n (Dorfmeister Vs. Madrid De Los Austrias) 09:56 Pnfa - Second Sunrise (Original Mix) 09:52 Weathertunes - Feel You (Original Mix) 09:48 Marga Sol - So Cruel 09:47 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 09:43 Guardner - Distant Link 09:38 Plastyc Buddha - Rhodes Royce 09:34 Atb Feat. Jansoon - Be Like You 09:28 Takt 3 - Slow Walker 09:28 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 09:25 Malia Feat. Erik Truffaz - Yellow Daffodils 09:19 D. Batistatos - Jet Lagged Nights 09:14 Tetris - Mystery 09:07 The Man Behind C. - Como Aire Cristalino (Latin Mix) 09:01 The Man Behind C. - What Can U Do 08:58 Castlebed - Lonely Ghost (Original Mix) 08:52 Neve - Supernatural (Ambient Mix) 08:47 Vargo - Goodbye Is A New Beginning 08:42 Amelie - Softwood 08:38 Madelin Zero - Anything Perfect 08:34 Soundset City - Come With Me (Deep Lounge Cut) 08:30 Vibrasphere Feat. K. Linder - Tierra Azul 08:24 Enrico Donner - Forget Me Not 08:18 Kieser Velten - Together 08:16 Dj Phixion - Hideout 08:12 Guenter Haas - First Floor Lobby 08:07 Jane Low - Night Theme (Original Mix) 08:02 Gary B - My Love 07:58 Eliane Elias - Running 07:55 Ross Couch - Music Is My Life 07:55 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 07:51 Worldbeat Feat. Miyabi - Sakura (Original Mix) 07:45 Jens Buchert - Dominion 07:41 Therr Maitz - Found U (Riesso Remix) 07:38 Kiwi Twist - Jazz Lady 07:34 Michael E - Don't Stop 07:28 Simon Bareilles - The Sound Of Silence - Guitar Lounge Mix 07:23 Chris Le Blanc, Pat Lawson - Beyond The Sunsets (Ibiza Late Night Mix) 07:18 Bessie Boni - Mystic Revelation (Feat. Gianna Partner) 07:14 Paolo - Turn Me On 07:09 Gushi & Raffunk - Sound Of You (Beat Ambasada Remix) 07:04 Stefan Reh, Kara - Unknown 06:59 Spinne - Saxophonecheck 06:54 Goloka - Compromise 06:50 Index - Noon Hour Blues 06:45 Pnfa - Temple Monkey 06:38 Sweet Velvet - La Plena Noche 06:35 Dj Antoine - I-'ll Never Let You Down (Soft Mix) 06:30 Velvet Dreamer - Footprints In The Sand 06:24 Cream Soda - Woman 06:20 The Diventa Project - Impossible Dream (Ibiza Chillout Mix) 06:19 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 06:15 Cantoma - Clear Coast (Feat. Brenda Ray) 06:11 Basti M, Brockman Feat. Nic - Live Your Life (Free Your Mind) (Brockman & Basti M Sunset Mix) 06:04 Cary August, Computer World - Tour De France (St. Tropez Chill) 06:00 El Rubello - And I Love Her 05:54 Jane Maximova - Morning Bird (Feat. Dmirty Raschepkin) 05:50 Monodeluxe - Steel Vibes (Original Mix) 05:45 Gabrielle Chiararo - Million Stars 05:41 Peter Pearson - A Walk In The Park 05:41 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 05:36 Groove Thievery - Killer (Bargrooves Mix) 05:33 Dreamhunter - Good Morning 05:28 Norman Doray - Chase The Sun (Musica Feliz Ibiza Beat Remix) 05:22 Krystian Shek - Samarkand (Feat. Nina Ramsby) 05:18 Dj Tiesto - The Tube (Domenico Cascarino & Luca Lombardi Acoustic Mix) 05:12 S.w. - Terokh Jeruth 05:07 Alien Cafe - Sacred Mountain 05:02 Groove Armada - Remember 04:57 Conjure One - Sleep 04:52 Everything But The Girl - Single (Brad Wood Memphis Remix) 04:48 Florence Di Milano - In A Silent Way (Original Mix) 04:45 Lasteden - Hot City Walk (Original Mix) 04:45 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 04:41 Liquid Motion - Silent Running 04:37 Weathertunes - Take Me Away 04:32 Sky Sergeant - Orion Trail (Eclipse Mix) (Eclipse Mix) 04:27 Jazzamor - Lullaby (Original Mix) 04:21 Lea Perry - Dubby Sunset Sky At Cafe Del Mar (Ibiza Beach Mix) 04:18 Beach Hoppers - Top Of The World 04:13 Jens Buchert - Fluffy Time 04:10 Marga Sol - Cafe Del Amor 04:04 Vargo - Speak To Me 03:56 Icehouse - Don-'t Believe Anymore (Ivan & Collins Cafe Latte Mix) 03:51 Dublex Inc. Feat. Alice Russel - Don't Make Me Want You 03:47 Florence - You Should Never Know - Baiha Del Mar Mix 03:43 Dab - You & Me 03:39 Florzinho, Euphonic Traveller - Staring At The Stars (Feat. Barbara Yaa Boahene) 03:35 Leo De La Rosa - Te Pienso (Marga Sol Balearic Remix) 03:29 Michael E - Rainy Thursday 03:24 Eskadet - La Repara 03:19 Santerna Feat. Vadim Kapustin - Feeling Like A River (Chillout Mix) 03:15 Tycho - No Stress (Feat. Saint Sinner) 03:10 Fourkis, Christos - If You Love Me 03:06 Marcel - Backseat Blues 03:02 Crystal Theory - Breathe 02:57 Castlebed - Groove Sense 02:52 Luisito Quintero - Our Love 02:48 Ikon - No Reason To Stay 02:42 Koru - Closer 02:37 Sangar - Love Again (Original Mix) 02:33 Frameworks - Breaks My Heart Ft. Kathrin Deboer 02:26 Aaron The Baron Feat Markus Puhl - A Tu Lado 02:20 Don Gorda Project - Serenidad 02:14 Random Rab - Rain On The World 02:08 Jazzy James Jr. - Twilight Trumpet (Open Doors Mix) 02:03 Area Code 51 - Chanchamayo 01:58 351 Lake Shore Drive - Ocean Blue 01:54 Weekend Players - Angel 01:50 Sunburn In Cyprus - Passage Of Time (Original Mix) 01:47 Anthony Hicks - I Don-'t Know 01:42 Audio Lotion - Eclipse 01:36 Darshan - Listen 01:33 Marga Sol - Imagine Me 01:33 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 01:28 Shakes Seven - Castles In The Sky 01:23 Jazzamor - Tonight 01:17 Steen Thottrup - If You Were Here Tonight 01:11 Honeyroot - Sunrise Sunset 01:08 Gary B - Song For Kaye 01:04 Luis Hermandez - Celebrate (Original Mix) 00:59 Florzinho - Maha - Amba 00:52 Amanaska - Tide (Electro Remix) 00:47 Paco Versailles - Two Feathers 00:42 Afterlife - Falling 00:38 Coolcomotion & Newton - Corazon (Black Diagram) 00:34 Stereomass - Modern Journey To Hawaii (Original Mix) 00:27 Man In The Moon Feat. Debora Vilchez - Another Way 00:23 Michael E - Dont Stop 00:20 Mahl-a - Scent Of You 00:16 Axel B - Dark Lights 00:16 Jingle - Radiosun.ro 00:10 Vinito - Cloud Cruise 00:06 Fous De La Mer - Time To Wake Up (Volver A Despertar) 00:01 Pier-O - Fermer Les Yeux

[travmar]

Journey to the South East or Conquest of the Skies

I say farewell to Latvia for 5 months by watching the premiere of the movie Flow (latv. Straume) and then end the night in tears — I hug my twin brother goodbye. It's the first time we separate for such a long time, as previously we left each other's side only for 2 weeks max. He has to work the next day, so he won't be part of the group that accompanies me to the airport.

It's also my first flight on my own, so I'm quite anxious of what's to come.

As my flight is scheduled at 7am, I have to wake up at 4:30, so I can catch a bus. My parents help me with my suitcase, and hug me goodbye after I check-in for my flight. I leave them behind as I go through security.

The flight to Vienna is uneventful and, if I had to be honest, quite boring. Well, what can someone expect from AirBaltic.

Vienna airport greets me with crowds of people and a long wait for my next flight, that will take me all the way to Beijing. As I've arrived at 8:30 am, I have to wait three hours before I can go through check in again. So I do what's best to do in this situation — go to grab a meal at a fast food chain (Burger King).

The wait is agonising as I don't want to use my mobile data to watch YouTube videos or play Genshin and the airport WiFi is only passable for scrolling the Web. I entertain myself by reading and rereading Latvian news, as well playing 2048. I also explored the 3rd Terminal a bit, which is almost as big (or even bigger) as the whole Riga Airport.

My adventure continues with a small bump — as I check-in for my flight, I'm told that those travelling to Taipei need to have a return ticket, which I do not have. The reason why? Honestly, I don't really know. I didn't get all of it, since my German language skills aren't that advanced, so there might be some convoluted explanation. But in the endmy ticket was changed from 'Rejected' to 'Approved' and I could move on. Maybe having an 180 day visa helped somehow, or the check-in ladies, whom I'm infinitely thankful to, were nice.

The boarding to the Vienna-Beijing flight (AirChina) is fast, and I'm in my seat in about 10 minutes. I also find a pillow and a blanket on my seat. As the pillow finds itself supporting my back, cabin crew warns us about possible turbulence and goes over the safety instructions. I was expecting to be sitting next to someone, but the middle seat remains empty, which gives me and the aisle seat guy a little more legroom. I settle in for a 9 hour flight. A window to my left and a screen in front of me, I have 2 ways to entertain myself — either look at ground below and admire the clouds, or watch a movie. I chose the latter.

My first choice was a 3 hour (2 hours 48 minutes) animated movie called Chang An, a story about Li Bai and Gao Shi (Tang dynasty poets). I'm occasionally interrupted by crew announcements and warnings, so the movie stops from time to time. Dinner (if you can call it dinner at ~14:30-15:00) arrives and I can choose between beef and potatoes and chicken and rice. Chicken sounded quite appealing, so that's what I got. It's a tasty meal, but I couldn't eat all of the chicken as I wasn't the biggest fan of it's texture. It was also quite salty.

The turbulence does exist, but it's not as bad as I thought. While it does get a bit shakey, it's barely noticeable for someone (me) who lived near a railway all her life. The rougher patches reminded me of 2015, when we were traveling to Saint-Petersburg by train. I could have just gotten lucky.

Being who I am, while scrolling through the selection of movies, I managed to find all three parts of "Lord of The Rings". Did I watch them already? Multiple times at that? Maybe, but a good movie is a good movie. Also, I wanted to practice reading Chinese characters and considering I already know the contents of the films, it gives me an opportunity to focus on reading. I was pleased to find out that I understand at least half of the characters and can even understand most of the sentences (English voice-over does help a bit). Most of the plane is dark at this point as the lights get dimmed and window covers get lowered and most of the passengers are trying to catch some sleep, but I, unable to sleep in a loud and unfamiliar place, dive into the world of Middle Earth yet again.

As my second meal I chose noodles and pork. I don't know why they decided to drown everything, aside from desert and bread, in salt, but I can't say I'm a fan of it.

As I landed, I've tried contacting my parents and brother to notify them that I've successfully landed in Beijing, as I've done so in Vienna, I was quickly disappointed — any message I've tried to send would just get stuck loading. So I did the next best thing and sent 2 short SMS to tell them I'm fine.

Transfer to Taipei is fast, yet a bit confusing. The security check workers just silently gestured what they wanted you to do, and you just had to know. It was quite effective, as there was no room for small talk.

At 4:30 am the airport is basically empty aside from a few people sleeping on chairs here and there. The activities started closer to 7 am, but my gate was so far away, that I could enjoy a few hours of peace and relative quiet.

As the Beijing-Taipei flight is so short (and I'm in economy), there wasn't a screen to entertain myself. Sleep just wouldn't come, so I tried napping, then waiting refreshments to come.

I wasn't really expecting to be served breakfast (I'm traumatised by AirBaltic), but I was. I'm not afraid to admit to the fact that I'm a very picky eater, but "New country, New me", I guess. So I tried the rice porridge they were offering. I've heard so many good things about thisbdish, that it would be a shame not to try. I didn't enjoy it at all. But the side dishes of yoghurt (?), bread with butter and melon did help me improve my mood.

Arrival at Taipei is a bit confusing. There are so many signs, people rushing around etc. After some time of filling out the arrival card and waiting in line, I'm approved to enter and stay in Taiwan.

And my first stop in The Republic of China is... a McDonald's in the airport's food court. Even as other restaurants offering Chinese food temp me, I'm dead set on getting a burger with chicken. Honestly, I just wanted something familiar, with no additional surprises.

I spent around an hour there and then made my way to the Arrivals Hall to find my hotel bus. I did find, quite quickly at that. I also found out that's it's HOT outside. My trusty phone notified me that it was 34°c outside (with a small comment underneath saying 'feels like 48°c'). Sure, I can imagine how hot 34°c is, since Latvia is not gloomy and gray all year round, but 48°c (even 'feels like') is something else. So I've returned to the airport, where air-conditioning was.

I managed to check in to the hotel earlier than what Booking.com said, without any additional charges. I can now finally sleep in a proper bed.

[umichenginabroad]

Week 10: Arrivederci, Sorrento + Reflection

Ciao, 

This last week was bittersweet, to say the least. I really miss my family and friends back home, but I’m not sure I’ll ever feel fully ready to leave Sorrento and Europe. Since I do have to say goodbye however, this week was a pretty good one to end on. This post might be on the longer side, as I had a great last weekend trip to Austria, saw fireworks, finished finals, and ate several goodbye meals. I’m flying out of Rome later this afternoon and even had some time yesterday to explore the city!

Last weekend, my friend and I had a great time in Vienna, Austria. We left Thursday night and got back Sunday afternoon, with surprisingly little issues (fingers crossed that good travel luck continues for my trip home). We explored the Schönbrunn Palace gardens first, making both of us feel like we were about to run into the Bridgertons. The grounds were gorgeous and expansive–we were walking around for a good 2-3 hours seeing all the paths, fountains, and statues. We didn’t go into the palace itself as we would’ve had to buy tickets and we were quite content with our free garden stroll. Later that afternoon (after a quick siesta back at the hostel), we found a free pop music festival in front of one of the main churches. It was so fun to listen to some Austrian artists while eating some delicious street food and a churro. 

(Top two picture from the palace, the left is of some of the flowerbeds and a greenhouse, the right is my friend and I infront of the palace building. The bottom picture is of a band playing on a staying with a domed church in the background)

Saturday morning, we headed into the center of the city to explore the historical district. We had bought a 48 hour pass, making getting around Vienna super easy as there were so many buses, trolleys, and metro lines running frequently. We simply wandered around for a while, seeing churches and other cool, historic buildings at almost every turn. Vienna was, by far, my favorite city to walk around as there were trees everywhere and a bike/pedestrian lane separate from the road. 

After walking around for a while, we decided to go to the Freud museum as we both find psychology interesting. The museum was in his old apartment and clinic space, with many rooms restored to accurately show what he and his patients were accustomed to. It was very interesting and I enjoyed learning more about Freud and his life. That afternoon, my friend and I went thrifting before getting food and heading to bed, as we had an early flight back to Italy.

(Two building with trees in front)

Monday started off with my last physics lecture of the term and continued with lots of studying, writing a final paper, and making a final presentation before ending with a bang (literally). Sorrento had a festival all weekend to celebrate Saint Anna, the patron saint of the town. Monday night was the last night of festivities, which meant a firework show on the water! Lucky for us, the terrace of the institute proved the perfect viewing spot. 

(Left picture is of Marina Grande at night, lit up with arches of fairy lights for the festival. Right is the start of the firework show in the marina from our view on the terrace)

I had my first final Tuesday for Archeology, as well as more studying for physics and homework. That night, CIS Abroad hosted a farewell dinner for us at a nice restaurant. I ate some delicious pasta while we listened to some traditional Southern Italian music. The next day I had my physics final and my final Archeology paper due. I was very relieved after turning both in as I was nearly done with classes, just a presentation in Archeology the next day. A few of my friends and I went out for a last dinner together in Sorrento before getting gelato and watching the sunset and trying not to think about saying goodbye. Thursday brought my final class where I presented on medicine in Pompeii and Herculaneum and the farewell dinner from Sant’Anna institute. After dinner, my friends and I went out for gelato for the last time. I was leaving for Rome the next day, though it still didn’t feel like our time was up. We reminisced on the last 2 and half months, including how there was no way we had been there over 2 months when it felt like only a few weeks had gone by.

(Left picture is of my friends and I at our favorite gelato place for the last time, the right is the sunset view over the water from our farewell meal)

The next morning, I hopped on the circumvesuviana train out of Sorrento for the last time. I could tell you I wasn’t holding back tears, but I’d be lying. I was very sad to be leaving the place that had become home the last several months. I keep reminding myself how excited I am to see the people back home in order to hold myself together. My train to Rome was slightly delayed, but I wouldn’t have expected it any other way and I still got to Rome mostly on time. I checked into my hostel and had a quiet night in, which was much needed after the busy last week with several late night study sessions. I woke up bright and early Saturday morning, as I had tickets to the Vatican City museums for 8:30 am (with a hour and 20 minute walk to get there). Though I don’t like getting up early, this ended up being perfect as the streets were cooler and much less crowded early in the morning. I gave myself some extra time, allowing me to stop by Trevi fountain and the Panthenon on my walk to the city-state. Though I am not as big a fan of the layout of Rome, the sheer number of monuments and the depth of history makes the city truly unforgettable. 

(A few pictures from my day trip around Rome; Top left is the Pantheon, top right is the sunset over a plaza with an obelisk, the bottom is Trevi fountain)

Reflection:

As I am waiting to board my plane home, I keep getting waves of conflicting emotions. Sad to be leaving, excited to see my family, but most of all grateful for this summer. I’ve been thinking back to all I have done this summer and I can’t help but smile. An opportunity like this has been my dream since I was little, and I am so beyond grateful for it. I have grown so much from when I first landed at the end of May. I have seen so many wonderful places and made some great friends.

Before arriving, I was nervous about making friends and finding my way (as most people typically are when starting a new adventure). Turns out, I had nothing to worry about. Sure, I didn't make friends with everyone I met, but that's normal. I found a good couple of people that I enjoyed spending time with, and that's all I could ask for. Some advice I have for others getting ready to go abroad, or getting ready to start anything new honestly, is to not be afraid of going alone. I did not know anybody coming into this program, I am really glad for it. I met some incredible people that I probably wouldn't have gotten close to otherwise.

Additionally, don't be afraid of a solo adventure or two. While I made some amazing memories with my friends, I learned the most about myself (and grew the most) when adventuring on my own. It is very freeing to be held to no-one's schedule or expectations expect your own.

Lastly, take the time to know yourself. If, like me, you grew up with people-pleasing tendencies and were always trying to accommodate other people in your life, you might not actually know what you want and like and need. This trip has taught me so much about myself and I am leaving feeling much more self assured, secured, and settled in I way I have never experienced before. Along with this, know/learn your limits. While traveling around Europe every weekend was amazing, the real reason I was there was to take classes. This meant taking a day off from exploring every now and then to give myself time to rest and time to study. Traveling may be high on your priority list, but succeeding in the classroom has to come first.

While I wish I had more time, I am so happy I studied abroad. I learned so much about physics, new cultures, Italy, Europe, navigating public transport, and myself. It was an experience I will truly never forget and will cherish always.

Marika Ruppart

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering in Sorrento, Italy

[mirandamckenni1]

Sabaton – To Hell And Back (Acoustic Cover by Beyond the Black) #sabaton #wacken #acoustic #clash "To Hell And Back" – Sabaton Acoustic Cover by Beyond the Black Audio & Video Recording at Sawdust Recordings Click here to SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeyondtheblackDe Pre-Save the EP „W:O:A Acoustic Clash - The Lockdown Session“ with all 4 cover versions here: https://ift.tt/x6Kp8wz FACEBOOK: https://ift.tt/3jDTQEJ INSTAGRAM: https://ift.tt/a5VTcnW MUSIC: https://ift.tt/6hjg1yN LIVE: https://ift.tt/AKU2yrQ New Album "HØRIZØNS" Out Now! CO-HEADLINE TOUR WITH AMARANTHE: 05.01.22 | DE - Munich | Zenith 07.01.22 | DE - Leipzig | Haus Auensee 08.01.22 | DE - Offenbach | Stadthalle 09.01.22 | BE - Antwerp | Trix 11.01.22 | FR - Bordeaux | Rock School Barbey 12.01.22 | ES - Madrid | Sala BUT 13.01.22 | ES - Barcelona | Razzmatazz II 15.01.22 | FR - Lyon | Ninkasi Kao 16.01.22 | FR - Paris | Elysée Montmartre 21.01.22 | DE - Oberhausen | Turbinenhalle I 22.01.22 | DE - Ludwigsburg | MHP Arena 24.01.22 | CH - Lausanne | Metropole 25.01.22 | CH - Zürich | Komplex 457 26.01.22 | IT - Milano | Live Club 28.01.22 | HU - Budapest | Barba Negra 29.01.22 | AT - Vienna | Arena 31.01.22 | PL - Warsaw | Progresja 01.02.22 | DE - Berlin | Columbia Halle 02.02.22 | DE - Hamburg | Sporthalle 04.02.22 | CZ - Zlín | MOR Café 05.02.22 | DE - Geiselwind | Event Hall 06.02.22 | NL - Utrecht | Tivoli Ronda 08.02.22 | DK - Copenhagen | Amager Bio 10.02.22 | SE - Gothenburg | Pustervik 11.02.22 | SE - Stockholm | Klubben Fryshuset 12.02.22 | NO - Oslo | Sentrum Scene "W:O:A Acoustic Clash" is a bet between German Symphonic Metal shooting stars Beyond the Black & world famous Wacken Open Air's Thomas Jensen. In the course of a 48 hour studio session the band had to arrange and record acoustic cover versions of 4 different metal songs. All of them chosen beforehand by the Wacken online community. Either Thomas Jensen or Beyond the Black. Whoever loses the bet, is obliged to operate the barbecue at the next Wacken Open Air. All proceeds will be going to different charity organisations (to be announced). via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZdXYFi_3-s

[mt-lowercase-m-derogatory]

I would like to add several pieces of information, especially for those dealing with or suspecting chronic illness after an infection:

1) Long Covid is not unique to covid: Post-viral fatigue is a serious issue that has been getting a lot more study since Covid, and I'm very glad for that. Viral infections of many kinds can elicit long-running symptoms. Most patients experiencing will recover completely or partially after a year, but the remainder are still a sizeable population whose issues can still have very varied causes.

2) Long Covid is not the end of the diagnostic path, it is the start: Expect to have many medical results appear completely okay, and do them anyways. There are many separate and overlapping illnesses that start or appear to start after a serious viral infection. This includes difficult syndromes to confirm or rule out such as Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS as well as conditions that have been easier to diagnose for a long time.

3) If using rapid tests for covid, do series testing and check expiration dates. 2 additional tests after the first, spaced 48 hours apart, astronomically reduce the chance of false negatives even for asymptomatic patients. The reliability ratings of negative results I've seen (for non-expired tests) have never been quite as low as 28%, but can vary by manufacturer and sometimes reaches as low as 40% even in some larger studies. Aggregate reliability for patients with serious symptoms is likely higher and unlikely to worsen too much with time, as rapid tests look for internal proteins far slower to mutate than the antigens that matter for vaccines or the like.

For anyone I know who sees this and lives in Vienna, I highly recommend the specialists at the general hospital over most other clinics.

world's best athletes catching covid and collapsing at the olympics left and right . this is not normal how is everything going on as if it's normal

[majasteccas]

Activity-may

This weekend, me and my friend want on a trip to Vienna. Since we were there for only 48 hours, we didn’t have much time to explore the city. Therefore, we had to wake up early and make the most of the day. We managed to see so much interesting things, such as art museums, a theme park (Prater), multiple parks, and the zoo. I really enjoyed Vienna, even though we had long days, I wouldn’t change it for the world. As of today, Vienna is one of my favourite cities I’ve ever visited. It has a lot of greenery, and beautiful architecture. My favourite part of the trip was visiting the zoo. The zoo in Vienna is the biggest zoo in Europe. We saw so many different species of animals, such as monkeys, pandas, giraffes, and bears.