I’m working on deleting some old blogs because, well, who needs to hear about 19-year-old me’s drama and inner rantings? I came across this little gem, which speaks volumes about my life when I lived in a gorgeous 13th Century Carthusian Monastery in the foothills of the Austrian Alps with some of my favorite people. It still feels like a dream…
Alright, I’m finally awake, and able to write in my blog. I will begin with my jounral entry on Sunday.
I’m on my way from DC to Vienna. I fortunately got to sit next to Natalie! Yay! We are in Row 38, seats J and K. We’re right by the window but it’s freakin cloudy so we can barely see a thing. Nat and I are having our first glasses of wine as European travellers. I think my dad would approve. It’s a light, semi-sweet white wine. Das gutt:-).
While I’m thinking about it, I met a rabbi on my flight from Cleveland to DC. I always feel sorry for the people I sit next to on air planes because I have the unfortunate habit of talking their ears off. This was no excption, however, the rabbi seemed to enjoy my chattiness. Andy, who was sitting in front of the rabbi and me, broke the ice initially. Anyway, we started talking, and I learned a lot about the Jewish Faith. My new lessons are as follows:
1) Orthodox Jews wear yammakuh’s all the time (they may go 6 minutes without it. Thats it)
2) Orthdox Jew women are required to always dress modestly
3) Orthodox Jews spend like, 4 days (I think) in a tent during Hannakuh or Passover or something. I don’t remember which.
4) Jewish people smash the glass at their weddings to commemorate the destruction of the Temple.
5) The little nail thing on their door frames has something to do with the destruction of the Temple as well.
6) Yammakuhs are worn out of Fear of God
7) Hannakuh is celebrated to commemorate the war between Greece and Israel 2,500 years ago.
8) Legend has it that the driedel was played at the original Hannakuh as a coverup when the Greeks were trying to find to Torah. Ok, so in other words, when the Greeks thought certain people had the Torah, they would play the driedel so the Greeks would overlook them.
9) The Sabbath begins on Friday night after the sun sets and at least three stars can be seen in the sky.
OK. Turbulence. More Later.
I would not wish this flight on my worst enemy. I am soooooo boreddddd and tired and cannot sleep no matter how hard I try. And some Europeans smell. Like, really bad. I mean, come on people. I am not an ethnocentric by any means, but I do love the fact that Americans value a daily shower.
While I’m on the topic of hygiene, I would like to present the idea of shaving for men. Now, I do admit that a little facial hair (and I mean a little) can be hot from time to time. However, the lumberjack look is NEVER okay. I recently met a guy who has soooo much potential if only he’d dedicate 5 minutes a day to running a razor over his face. I really can’t imagine how difficult it could possibly be. The vast majority of civilized women shave over half of their bodies, and you don’t see us complaining. All I’m asking is for less hair, more face.
28 August 2006 22.00
I slept most of today and am about to continue. I hate jet lag. I went to Ur’s and tried the famed “Frog” drink. I then came back and finished unpacking. We’re going to the Danube River Valley bright and early.
Things I’ve Learned Today:
1) Bats fly around the Kartause
2)I am starting to think that those whackos who said that the Kartause is haunted might actually have a case.
3) Victoria’s Secret is that Victoria is really a guy.
OK, so that’s the end of my journal. The day after this, we went to the Danube River Valley. It was sooooo pretty. We took a lil cruise down the river, and got off at a town called Durnstein. There was an optional hike up a mountain to see the ruins of some castle. It seemed like a nice idea, so I followed the crowd up the ridiculously steep mountain. About 5 minutes into the hike (no joke), I began to get extremely winded, which was weird cuz I actually have been working out all summer. Anyway, I couldn’t take it any longer, and turned around to go back to sea level. I then met up with some other people and did a little shopping in that freakin adorable town. After Durnstein, we got back on the busses and went to a really old, gorgeous monastery where we had lunch and went to Mass. It was incredible.
Tomorrow’s Vienna, and I’m super excited!!! Time for class.