Travel is intensified living and these last two weeks have certainly been just that. Our classroom experimental learning started in Vienna, the capital city of Austria and one of the world’s most important centers of art, music, and European culture. The country is the cradle of classical music, home to renowned classical musicians, such as Wolfgang Mozart and Joseph Haydn. My professor brilliantly quipped, "History has done a fabulous job convincing the world Hitler was a German and Beethoven an Austrian." Neither is true, of course. Hitler was actually born in Austria and only left the country upon his rejection to the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts.  He was denied admittance twice by the institute, once in 1907 and again in 1908. This fueled his anti-Semitic attitude and his departure to Germany. 

We continued our trip to the magical city of Venice, Italy. I am rarely rendered speechless but this place managed to do so. I agree with the masses that this is easily one of the most dazzlingly beautiful cities in the world. Webster’s dictionary defines awesome as, "fear mingled with admiration or reverence; a feeling produced by something majestic, sublime, etc." This is an utterly perfect description for Venice. The “Floating City” was built on 118 small islands connected by numerous canals and bridges. Even more impressive is the fact that the city was not built directly on the islands. It was built primarily upon wooden platforms, supported by wooden stakes driven deep into the ground.

Venice is quite small. Most of the major sightseeing is within a 15-minute walk of the Rialto Bridge. St. Marks Square is incredibly neat, especially the Basilica of St. Mark. I got lost several times during our exploration of the city and I was completely content. Lovely views abound. During one of my outings, a Venetian pigeon pooped on my leg (pic attached). I was assisted by a kind Brit who informed me this was actually good luck in Italy and I should purchase a lottery ticket upon my return home. I told her I would do so contingent upon my savings.

Venice floods approximately 100 times a year and researchers disagree on whether the city will in fact one day be unwater. I think it is safe to say only time—and tides—will tell. But in the meantime, if given the opportunity, a visit is highly suggested.

Our professor, Jan, took us to the first Jewish ghetto. The English word “ghetto” is derived from the Italian language. The word was first used to describe the Venetian geto meaning “foundry.” Jews where sent here during the 16^th century by the doges, Venice’s ruling council. At that time, the Ghetto Nuova was a small, dirty island. It was later made famous by Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. The area is still home to a small Jewish community.

Despite the brevity of our trip, both Vienna and Venice undoubtedly made a lasting impact on me. The cities have rich histories that make for a most exciting trip. Whether learning about the Habsburg heritage in Vienna or the Doge of Venice, one can surely find immense satisfaction in their visit.