36 Years Ago

36 Years Ago, Vienna 1971—A Student Journal

Day 147: Get your eyes checked regularly

Day 147 — Get your eyes checked regularly
27-December-1971 (Mon.)


I’m back at school and work. Today is about letters from family and friends. I reminisce about a good friend of mine, Andre, to whom I am indebted for my eyesight. Get your eyes checked regularly. I know the title has nothing to do with Vienna, but it's important.

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Day 146: My Christmas present

Day 146 — My Christmas present
26-December-1971 (Sun.)


SUMMARY

My Christmas present comes today—a package of candy from the elderly lady whose money I found on the bus.

Other than that, myself and two girls wander Vienna's famous graveyard, the Central Cemetery, where many a famous composer is buried. It is foggy. It is eerie. Are the spirits talking to me? Happy

A delightful Bedrich Smetana opera ends the day.
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Day 145: Vienna! Frohe Weihnachten—Merry Christmas!

Day 145 — Vienna! Frohe Weihnachten—Merry Christmas!
25-December-1971 (Sat.)

Christmas market in Vienna Bernhard Vogl
A wonderful Viennese Christmas day with my roommate, Pavel, his sister, and her friend who have come to see Pavel all the way from California. A good day with some sightseeing, dinner, and conversation. A Verdi opera concludes a great day.

The spirit of Christmas is about families. Meet John’s family and brothers. A photo bonanza. (There are so many photos today—you may need a fast Internet connection for this post.)

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Day 144: Goodbye Innsbruck; Christmas Eve



Scenic Innsbruck mountains
It’s goodbye to skiing, Innsbruck, the scenic mountains (see photo), Elisabeth, George, and a new girl I’m trying to pick up at the train station. (I’m now Don John.) It was an incredible week of skiing, beautiful scenery, friendships, spas, and picture taking. What a vacation! Back to Vienna. It’s Christmas Eve. Read More...

Day 127: Christmas $$

Day 127 — Christmas $$
07-December-1971 (Tue.)


In 2007, I come to the realization that Christmas is, has been, and will always be expensive. I complain about spending 20s for mailing Christmas cards in 1971. Today, I wish I was only spending 20 schillings.
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Day 121: Thanking Rotary

Day 121 — Thanking Rotary
01-December-1971 (Wed.)

Rotary Clubs award 1
Today, I begin writing Christmas cards to send home. I single out two cards that I am sending to two special Rotarians that awarded me the Rotary fellowship—Mr. Spaulding, the District Governor of Rotary #749, and Mr. Mitchell, the Chairman of the Walter D. Head Foundation. I am truly thankful to Rotary Clubs International and my sponsor and boss, Nick Lioy (pictured left, standing right), for this incredible year.
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