36 Years Ago

36 Years Ago, Vienna 1971—A Student Journal

Day 353: Olympic Munich; Innsbruck; $65

Day 353 — Olympic Munich; Innsbruck; $65
20-Jul-1972 (Thur.)

Munich in Summer
Globe-trotter John is not content to visit one major city on his trip but goes for two in a single day. It’s a full day of major sightseeing in Munich, which is just wonderful in the summer, and then off to Innsbruck. In Munich, I hit the sights, including the brand-new Olympic swimming stadium (for the Munich 1972 Summer Olympics). Then I eat, drink, and do a bad thing at the famous Haufbraühaus.

In Innsbruck, I only get to chat with Elisabeth before heading off to Wein. The journey is quickly coming to an end.
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Day 352: East Berlin

Day 352 — East Berlin
19-Jul-1972 (Wed.)

TV Tower in Alexanderplatz East Berlin
I’m a tourist today. I proceed through Checkpoint Charlie in the American Sector of West Berlin and head off to East Berlin. It’s modern and built up. I spend an exciting day in communist East Berlin, including visiting some fascinating museums. There are tons of photos today.
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Day 351: John Cage—HPSCHD

Day 351 — John Cage—HPSCHD
18-Jul-1972 (Tue.)

John Cage and David Tudor
Today is the big “happening” of the avant-garde music festival, the multimedia experience of HPSCHD by John Cage in Philharmonic Hall. It was an amazing experience (despite my slight criticism.) A fascinating lecture by computer music composer, John Chowning.
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Day 350: Berlin, spending money

Day 350 — Berlin, spending money
17-Jul-1972 (Mon.)

Berlin expenses 01
A light day of activity in Berlin. I use this opportunity to give the details of some of my money spending in Berlin taken from my “finance journal.” It’s interesting.
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Day 349: Swimming at Wannsee

Day 349 — Swimming at Wannsee
16-Jul-1972 (Sun.)

Berlin loves modern architecture
Today is a day of relaxation and getting sun burnt on the Wannsee. Swimming, nudity, architecture, it’s all part of today’s discussion. I don’t have any pictures of the Wannsee or of nudity.
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Day 348: Boating on the Wannsee

Day 348 — Boating on the Wannsee
15-Jul-1972 (Sat.)

Berlin avenues
A mildly simple day—a lecture and a boat ride with a girl. What? Berlin can have a boat ride? Yes, it’s Lake Wannsee. I find a new travel blog that I like.
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Day 347: Wonderful hausfrau

Day 347 — Wonderful hausfrau
14-Jul-1972 (Fri.)

Castle Charlottenburg
A lighter Berliner day: at the art museum, a computer music lecture, and a disktotek. I’m trying to be wild—but it’s not quite me. The Schloss Charlottenburg is a castle that contains beautiful grounds and museums.
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Day 346: Avant-garde 3

Day 346 — Avant-garde 3
13-Jul-1972 (Thur.)

Kaiser Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche
I am immersed in avant-garde music—day and night—at the continuing music festival in Berlin. At night, it’s Steve Reich and modern dance. During the afternoon break, I’m at the museum of the Berlin Wall.
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Day 345: Avant-garde music, my thoughts

Day 345 — Avant-garde music, my thoughts
12-Jul-1972 (Wed.)

First sight of the Berlin Wall
It’s a big day of much avant-garde music and art. I hear a lot of music today and am a bit critical of things sounding “typical.” That’s typical, of me. The Berlin girls are chic (and bra-less). Berlin is a town for young people.
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Day 344: John Cage, avant-garde festival

Day 344 — John Cage, avant-garde festival
11-Jul-1972 (Tue.)

Avant-garde music festival at the Akadamie der Kunste
I’m in Berlin (West). I spend the day sightseeing and getting ready to go to a series of avant-garde music concerts by John Cage. I talk a lot about John Cage and chance music. Lot’s of photos.
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Day 343: Freedom; East Berlin to Berlin

Day 343 — Freedom; East Berlin to Berlin
10-Jul-1972 (Mon.)

Downtown West Berlin 1972
I travel from Poland through East Germany to West Berlin. The train stop at East Berlin rings the bell of freedom in my mind, once again. I’m in West Berlin. Yes.
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Day 172: Munich, Day 2

Day 172 — Munich, Day 2
21-January-1972 (Freitag–Fri.)

Day 2 in Munich brings together ballet, opera, museum, and a visit to a U.S. Army hospital and the famous Hofbräuhaus, Munich’s famous beer hall. A great day.
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Day 171: Munich & Dachau

Day 171 — Munich & Dachau
20-January-1972 (Donnerstag–Thur.)

Munich Marienplatz
I’m in Munich and I spend an amazing sightseeing-packed day with my great friends from my college, Montclair State College. The madrigal choir is in Munich as part of a Christmas European tour.

It was a day of contrasts. Singing joyful madrigals in the town center contrasted with seeing the horrors of Dachau.

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Day 170: Get Ready, Munich

Day 170 — Get Ready, Munich
19-January-1972 (Mittwoch–Wed.)

This year’s concert experiences have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young music student. I have never been able to recreate this musical journey to this day, 36 years later.

I get ready for my trip to Munich to see my college friends of Montclair State, followed by a ski trip to Kitzbuhel to see my brother. I leave at night. Exciting.
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Day 023: My new Alexander French horn

Day 23 — My new Alexander French horn
25-August-1971 (Wed.)

Alexander natural horns
I’m in Mainz, Germany. I buy my first new French horn today at the Alexander horn shop. I’m so happy. I meet Mr. Alexander himself.

Nixon devalued the U.S. dollar a few days ago. He cost me money.
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Day 022: I need a French horn—off to Mainz, Germany

Day 22 — I need a French horn—off to Mainz, Germany.
24-August-1971 (Tue.)

Off to Germany
After a day at school, it’s off to Mainz, Germany to buy my French Horn. I also provide a chronological timeline of how I got started in music—ending with an amazing secret.

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