Yeah, it's sometimes a little embarrassing to admit what kind of budget I'm on when surrounded by people who don't seem to be on one at all (and feel it necessary to ask me where I am staying, etc.), but somewhere in me I believe that the right people are the right people and I believe it's possible to see each other as ourselves (I won't be bias, and perhaps they won't, either). Part of the transforming experience for me this last weekend was a fundamental alteration in how I thought of my relation to people and my ability to relate. It's not easy for me, but something I realized is that there are fundamental aspects of my personality which need to be adjusted if I should ever wish to accomplish certain things as a pianist/musician, and one of the differences between my pianistic endeavors and singing is that I love the piano so much, I reach a point of being willing to make deep personal adjustments even if it's really scary and difficult for me (singing, alone, wouldn't be enough for me to be willing). I'm still learning and it might take awhile, but I feel there were some good breakthroughs, and also seemingly accepting and open individuals there (though there were some things I couldn't seem to quite overcome). What I *can* be is open and trusting, but wise, and this is very much what I feel I must be fundamentally demonstrating on a higher level as a player/musician. I realized that it is rooted in my everyday living, and not just when I play the piano and that I must actually live what I wish to accomplish as a pianist.
The first thing you should know is that everyone everywhere only thinks about money. So I always tell people that I'm paying half of what I'm actually paying, that my room is in the back and I can smell the kitchen. That gets the money subject out of the way and maybe (??) we can speak about something else.
For me being the instrument (singing) has always been more thrilling. There is a time limit on that because no one wants to hear an old croaker. There is a creative aspect to music that maybe you should think about. I am doing some arrangements and am rediscovering the fun of writing music. An added kick is that my work can be played right on the computer and the software makes the score look good. No more messy pencil scores and waiting until rehearsal to hear it.As you travel around Europe you are visiting the sets upon which the drama of history was played. Try to make some contact with the actors.
I actually don't really understand this, but I'll take your word for it and keep it in mind!
Within moments the first question that will be asked of you will be "where are you staying" and "how much are you paying?" If you answer in the negative they want to know if they can do a house exchange or rent a room.
I remember opening it and felt instantly transported to another time and place. It were as though the score were whispering to me so many secrets and as though it somehow sucked me into it! I carried that book around with me everywhere I went and kept it on my nightstand while I slept. Eventually it had to go back, though .
ehhh ...
Now you understand?As an American traveler you will be asked endless questions. Generally, underlying the barrage is the intent on their part to come and stay with you in your home. My wife and I have become very skilled at spotting those types of people because of the endless questions they ask. In some cases we have had to become very rude. We try to ask back but it's difficult to squeeze in a word. My best stunt is to give one word answers.
I will be German
You will need some leather shorts, a silly moustache and some coloured braces.Then, you will need to buy 50 large towels and practice getting to the sun lounger before everyone else.Thal
I see no picture me old foxy.
I had no idea that m1469 was going to GERMANY; Vienna wasn't there when last I looked...Best,Alistair
Before long, Athens could be in Germany.
In the minds of certain Greeks, before long Germany could be in Athens...
Please, gentlemen, let's not beat around the bush.This discussion is about whether m1469 should dress as either Arnold or Adolf, not about any kind of geographical disagreements.
Yeah, I don't think I want to dress as some dude, though that might work in my favor (the dude part, but obviously not those particular characters). Filling my head with thinking about the Sound of Music being there is surprisingly helpful in having some idea of what I'm getting into, though I'm sure it's pretty misleading.
I'll repeat the advice we give to all our visitors. Dress like a school teacher or student on vacation or sabbatical. Hang out near universities. The food will be cheaper and the conversation will be better. I'm a little old even to look like guest lecturer but nobody wonders. Often I chat with professors who wish to practice their English.
OK, this is good advice. I will need to locate a University and see if I will even have a moment to go there, but I should actually find somewhere to practice for two days anyway, so maybe I could take care of a couple of things at once. I think I will go with the teacher persona, which of course I really am (but I will focus it and professionalize it), but I think I'd rather be that than just some lady wandering around. And I might glom onto a group when necessary, if it seems prudent . I'm also going to need to learn how to say a few basic things, probably.
Wien IS Vienna.
Wo ist die Toilette?Still looks like who to me, that wo. Warum? Wa-ROOm!?And bathrooms are female for some reason. Dress up like this.That's how everyone in Germany dresses. You'll blend right in.Insist that they tell you where the real Vienna is. They'll probably think it's a big joke on the American and try to send to you a tourist trap called Wien. If you push it, they may even tell you Wien IS Vienna. Don't let them fool you.
haha ... that's a funny scene. I will bring one of those outfits with me, just in case. For some reason I really like scenes where there is somebody trying to fit into some kind of group dance but are kind of bumbly yet charismatic, and sort of fit into the dance sometimes, sort of not, and somehow the scene works. There is one in some other movie with Bill Murray, too, where he's wearing a huge, furry hat and he is accidentally dancing around with a bomb at one point.Wien IS Vienna.
Have you ever been to Austria or Germany?
You will have a great time. Don't over plan. Leave time for something unexpected to happen.
Nein.I think someone on here said Austria was essentially the old Germany. Same culture essentially.
Well, when should I plan space for the unexpected things? Anyway, I can always change my plans as I go, but I think it would be good for me to have some plans, and the unexpected, if it's going to happen, is going to happen whether I have a plan or not. I understand the idea, though.
Robert Rauschenberg mentioned this concept. He always left room for the unexpected to happen during the creative process. A trip is a creative process. You are creating an experience to enjoy in the present and as memories in the future. If you book it tight (like many of my friends) you leave no room for anything else.
Hello m1469,A good part of the 2nd page of this thread deals essentially with being careful and not to emphasize so much being an American? ... trying to blend into the community and being inconspicuous like looking as much Austrian as possible. I was really a bit surprised at what some of the posts suggested especially:"The first thing you should know is that everyone everywhere only thinks about money."
The purpose really is... Weiner Schnitzel.
Topic: Vienna 