Riding on the Danube

Waking up in the morning continues to be a struggle, but I'm glad I made it out of bed today! It was the perfect day for outdoor activity, perfect for the IES arranged bike ride on the Danube Island. It isn't really an Island, more like a penninsula, but as Austria is landlocked, they call it an island, ship in sand to create beaches, and have several cabana style restaurants, bars, cafes, etc. I encourage looking at a map of the city and water-ways, because there is a bit of trafficking. The water that surrounds the "island" is filtered and is therefore drinking water quality, and safe for swimming. It is also pretty warm! We rode along the water, which made for a nice, flat, leisurely ride. It was great to smell the water and dirt and feel the wind on my face. I made sure to stick to the front of the peloton - the safest place to be - and sure enough, there were several crashes and collisions. This was a great way to see a different part of the city, and get my legs moving!

Here's a picture from the half-way point, looking down the river:

This evening I had a bit of time after studying German before a meeting, so I decided to attend a mass at St. Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), as it is a short walk down the Kaertnerstrasse from IES. Although I didn't understand anything that priest was saying, I enjoyed listening and humming along to the organ, and spending the time reflecting. There is also no shortage of artwork and architectural intricacies to appreciate inside the cathedral.

Oh, one more thing: I have been using the public transportation a lot recently, both the underground and the tram, and I so appreciate the simplicity of the system! I never get confused or feel uncertain. It is a well designed system!

TTFN! (Ta-ta-for-now)