Sunday, September 09, 2007

Mozart is a great composer, sir!

A very true statement. I have spent the last couple of weeks working in Austria with different groups of teachers, and on the weekend that broke up the seminars, I was able to do a bit of wandering in Vienna. My Sunday morning was completely remarkable.

I made my way in the morning down to the First District (or historical center) of Vienna to enjoy the wonders the city has to offer. Weaving between beautiful architecture and famous historical places, I managed to arrive at St. Augustin’s cathedral in time for Sunday mass. Admittedly, it was my intended destination as it hosts well-reputed musicians to perform special music during the offertory and postlude. I was not disappointed. Although crammed into the pews of the small and beautiful church with other tourists and church-goers, I enjoyed some Mozart and Buxtehude. Gorgeous sounds of choir, organ, and orchestration! I was truly convinced, as the young and defiant soldier Andrew in the movie The Barber of Siberia that Mozart is a great composer.

Afterwards, I continued to enjoy my morning at a historic Viennese café, Café Central. Amidst beautiful pastries and steaming cups of hot coffee, I breakfasted and read my paper, taking in the other customers and soaking up the moment.

Somehow, in this half day, I felt more rejuvenated than I sometimes do after a week of vacation. Breaking my routines and taking time to appreciate art and life slowly reminded me of the importance of taking time out. I aim to do it a bit more often, whether set to Mozart and Sacher Torte or not, once I return to Estonia.



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