Central European Travel Seminar, Take Two!

Hi all!
I'm leaving for Berlin this afternoon-it has been a rush to get ready to leave since school was just out last week, but with lots of help I'm ready to go!!!!!

See you in Berlin!

There once were some lassies so fair, who came from the town of Eau Claire....

Yes, we visited Limerick today!!!!!

City of Culture, River Shannon, four floor brick Georgian buildings, and home of University of Limerick.  We spent much of our day at the University with members of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance Program--the ladies gave a concert at noon, and took part in two workshops with singers and faculty from their program.  The we focused on sean-n'os singing and chant and we learned a lot from the five masters students from the program that worked with us.  We also worked with two of their faculty, Wolodymyr Smishkewych (Vlad for short) and Noirin Ni Riain.  She is the best storyteller I have ever heard.  She taught the girls a song by call and response, and she sang with them in their concert on "We Are."  She also loved their arrangement of "Parting Glass," an Irish folk song arranged by UWEC grad Andrew Steffen.  Her singing in the Irish sean-n'os style (shan-nos) is amazing- I'll never forget this magical performance.

Still working on uploading the video...

WOCO interacting with singers from UL:

The conductor Vlad is an acquaintance from Indiana University! His wife also went to IU and though we didn't know each other we share many acquaintance.  They say hello to any of you that they know! Small world...

Into town for bangers and mash and lots of laughs at a group dinner!

Mashed potatoes mashed potatoes mashed potatoes everywhere!

So many laughs on a variety of topics from bad drivers' license photos to chiggers to bangers of course!

Selfie!!!!

Then on to Mount St. Alphonsus Church for a beautiful joint concert with two vocal groups from University of Limerick and "trad" music (traditional).  We learned before the concert that it would be livestreamed so I texted as many friends and parents the link as I could, and we were able to share the concert with many people back home.  What a magical evening.  Earlier in the day when the Wocettes were teaching "We Are" to singers from UL, I learned the alto part from Annie Jackson, so I joined in "We Are" tonight for the first time.  I may or may not have cried throughout.

A shared song with members of the other choirs.  Ireland is magic folks...

And some random photos for your amusement

Greetings from Galway!

Greetings from Galway, Ireland!  I am on the third day of a ten day choir tour of Ireland with UW-Eau Claire's Women's Concert Chorale.  We are having a really good time so far, and the ladies had their first (successful!) concert last night.  Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day so it was an interesting day here in Galway.  Kind of a Bourbon Street, New Orleans vibe but with lots of red hair and cool accents!

Travel to Ireland was smooth--bus from Eau Claire to Chicago and then a direct flight from Chicago to Dublin.  We arrived there at 7:00a.m. so the first day was pretty sleepy for everyone, and despite the tour guides' best efforts to keep us awake there were many naps on the bus.  That included me--the country roads of Ireland are windy and bouncy and my self-defense from motion sickness is to sleep!  But, Mom you'd be proud of me for grabbing the front seat with the unobstructed view.  I've tried to keep up your tradition of taking pictures out the window, but mostly I ended up with a bunch of blurs!

This is near Galway--the stone walls separate farms, many of which contain sheep.  It is lambing season right now, so the girls are squealing at the cute little lambs which I did not manage to capture on film yet. I did buy a tea cosy with lambs on it, though, so at least I'll have that  :)   We have also seen a lot of cows, mostly Holsteins.  The walls do not use mortar of any kind--having some space between the stones allows the wind to blow through and the walls then don't fall down.  This was a "soft" day with a mild drizzle on and off through the morning.  Temps in the 50s and pretty windy.

To the right is County Clare, which so far is my favorite part of Ireland.  Parts of it are compared to a lunar landscape--very rocky and barren.  It is called "The Burren" and I want to come back in summer because apparently the flora is amazing with a huge variety of plants growing up between the rocks.  Our tour guide Anne called it a rock garden.  I can understand the romance and mystery of the language of Irish poetry and stories.




In County Clare are the magnificent Cliffs of Moher.  I loved walking out on the cliffs until you couldn't hear anything but the wind.  A great natural wonder.

Me at the Cliffs of Moher with my new Mohair scarf!

This does not capture the majesty of these cliffs but you can see the size of the people on near cliff and the tower on the far cliff.  700 foot drop friends.  Below, the Plattenbergers in Ireland in 1962 and again in 2014.

On day one, we stopped at Clonmacnoise Monastery on the River Shannon. We were kind of rushed, but did get to enjoy a red-haired charmer tour guide who led the tour with only a short sleeved t-shirt so that he could show his muscled arms to the Wocettes--these Irishmen are very charming to say the least and can really spin a yarn.  

Celtic monument at Clonmacnoise

Me after our epic shopping trip outside of Claddagh, near Galway.  This is the little village where the very popular Claddagh ring originates from.  Many of the Wocettes bought Claddagh rings, but I decided on an Aran sweater instead.  Ironically, the coat came from Younkers in Eau Claire, Wisconsin!  That would be the Galway Bay out there past the strand.

And, a picture of WOCO rehearsing in St. Catherine's Catholic Church--the oldest practicing Catholic Church in Ireland I believe.  The section in the back behind the ladies was built in the 1300s.

And, a wee Irish lass at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Galway.

Home again

Back on Badger Ave!

Got home from Florida last night and enjoyed the first night in my own house since May.  Woke up pretty early- still jet lagged-and did the things you do like go through the mail, laundry, etc.  Nancy with the help of my house sitters put in two small raised garden beds and I went out to look at them- I have rabbit problems!  But it is making great use of the part of my backyard that was too sandy to even grow grass.  I washed every single thing in my suitcase that I could, and watched Wimbledon.  Love tennis, and got to see some good playing today.  Took a long nap.  Am now feeling a bit human.

Florida was fine- Jacksonville (actually Atlantic Beach) is right on the ocean, so there were some stolen moments outside, and I enjoyed two hours on the beach the morning I left.  The NATS board meeting was fine, and I found some people I really enjoy working with that have agreed to be serve on the education commission I am heading.

While in FL, lots of the faculty were very interested in the CETS trip and how we put it together.  They were very cognizant that it is a rare university that will support a program like this- 3 faculty are dedicated to the project at one time. That is pretty remarkable.

I listed some of the highlights of the trip below- some other memorable things that happened:

I got bit by a small crab while walking on the beach in FL.  He did not want to let go of my foot!
My suitcase was too heavy.  Gotta remember to pack even lighter next year (no ipad either).
Thank heavens for the Samsonite spinner suitcase.
Thank you to Derek and Tyler who carried mom's suitcase up 1000 steps in train stations.
I love Kartoffel. (potatoes)
The food overall was really enjoyable- I can pass on the "Swedish breakfasts" of meat, cheese, and bread, but the other meals were yummy. They know how to cook in central Europe!  And I can tell where our midwest cooking traditions come from!
Krakow is beautitful.  The city center is amazing.  We had more of a language barrier there, but it didn't matter.
The way classical music is interwoven in the history and culture of Central Europe is amazing.
State supported arts organizations.  Go Europe!
Traveling with your mom definitely has its advantages.
I missed my computer, but as I picked it up today I was REALLY glad I wasn't carrying it.
Being able to text while in Europe really made everything easier.  I could be in touch with home and with the other group leader.
I thought Wien would be my favorite city, but it wasn't.  Not sure if that had something to do with the hideous weather, but there was a certain artificiality that kept you a little bit at arms' length.
Movies on airplanes!  Fun!
Almost every flight I had (Eau Claire-Chicago-Washington DC-Berlin, Krakow-Munich-Washington DC-Jacksonville-Chicago-Eau Claire) was late.  Travel is such a hassle now.  But my suitcase was never lost, and I made every flight.  So I'm not complaining.  Much.

There is so much more, but my suitcase is looking at me and asking to be unpacked and put away.

Upcoming: a trip to Lake Okoboji for the 4th, some weddings, I have a recital on July 21, etc.  August will be exciting but I'll tell you about it later.

Ciao-

CETS SENSATIONAL SIGHTINGS!!!

CETS=central European travel seminar


Leipzig. Period.
Bach's church and the Bach museum
Robert and Clara Schumann's first apartment together
Jewelry shopping in Krakow
Potatoes at the Brno Kartoffelhaus
Beethoven Haus
Learning "Das Veilchen" was composed on my birthday
Dessert in Prague on my birthday
Tour of Vienna Staatsoper
"Die Walkure" at the Staatsoper
Traveling with Mom
Holocaust monument in Budapest
View from Fisherman's Bastion in Buda
Zwinger museum in Dresden
Learning to navigate the Berlin Ubahn
Sunset on Charles Bridge in Prague
Fanta!!!!
Visiting the square in Berlin where the national socialist students burned books they believed didn't
Fit the Nazi ideology
Dinner on Cabbage Square in Brno with Mom
Krakow, overall.

Krakow to the US

This morning we are traveling back to the US- the last four days in Krakow have been my favorite of the trip. The weather has been wonderful and cool, the people are friendly, the food good, the music (folk, jazz, and klezmer) awesome, the history engrossing, and the city beautiful.  It was a perfect way to finish.

Some Krakow highlights:
Visiting Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau
Real kielbasa
Folk music in the square
Jazz underground at Harris Piano Jazz Bar
Franz Liszt's grave in Wawel cathedral
Live klezmer at Klezmer Hois
Shopping with Mom
Blue ceiling of St. Mary's cathedral
Trumpeter of Krakow
Bach in St. Barbara's
Big pretzels
Finding the remaining part of the ghetto wall
Sauerkraut!
Quiet hostel
Cool weather (in the 50s)

Looking forward to returning next year!

Budapest

Today was our third day in Budapest.  I really like the city, but it has been around 100 degrees the whole time we've been here and we've just had it.  Tomorrow we check out, but don't leave until 8 pm on a night train. We'll put our suitcases in lockers at the train station and then we have two activities and then a free afternoon.

While in Budapest, we've gone to the baths twice, saw the opera house, went to a folk music and dancing concert tonight, went up to Buda castle, saw the Franz Liszt academy, visited a synagogue and the holocaust memorial, visited teh House of Terror, and did a lot of walking and looking at archeticture.  I realize that I am fortunate to be here, but the heat has just been unbearable since the hostel isn't air conditioned and doesn't even have fans.

On to Krakow where the weather is to be more reasonable.  We are all remembering the days it was cold and rainy in Berlin...

I have learned a lot and have a lot of ideas for next year. Like bring a small portable fan. And a sharpie. And pick the seating for all the events myself.  Buffet breakfasts, air conditioning. More short sleeve shirts, and shorts. No long sleeve dress and try all shoes before bringing. Smaller suitcase, bring a tote bag.

Wilting in Wien

Fourth day in Vienna.  Such a beautiful city, so much music and culture.  So hot, no air conditioning, and no ice cubes!!!!  Arg!!!!

First day in Vienna we took the students to "Barber of Seville" at the Statsoper.  Good experience, good singing, beautiful opera house, but limited view seats which was depressing.  The students did their final project in May on the Staatsoper so it was cool for them to see things first hand.  On Saturday we walked to many of the sights in the city center, and went to the Kunsthistorisches Museum- an art museum that features the art collection of the hapsburgs.  Yesterday the students went on a bike ride of th wachau valley and mom and I didn't go along.  We went to schonbrunn palace, st. Stephens cathedral, johann Strauss house museum, and I went to "Die Walkure" at the Staatsoper.  It was a wonderful 5 hour performance, and I'm considering traveling to Seattle to see their Ring in August.

Met a new friend, Margaret, who is 75 and traveling the world who lives in Seattle and loves Wagner. The idea for the trip came from her.

Today we looked at some Jugendstil architecture, ate at the Naschmarkt (pasta and Fanta for me, schnitzel for mom!), visited teh Brahms memorial in Karlsplatz, and ten had a wonderful tour of the Staatsoper with a great guide, Carmen.  The students had good questions and will add their new primary sources and photos to their spring semester research.

Came home and crashed and am trying not to melt.  No circulation in the room and so much noise you can't sleep if the window is open. Oy. Doing laundry in their one machine, and I got bit by a horse fly!!!  Travel- the divine and the benign and the insane!!!

Off to fold laundry and try to find a breeze!

Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Brno

A little behind on blogging. But we are having a good time and no students have gotten lost or broken their legs.  We have had one stolen passport, one stolen purse, and one hospital stay but as of today everyone is intact.

Brno is the Capitol of Moravia- who knew? Today we went to a Roma Museum, and then I went to the Janecek museum.  Heard folk music in Freedom Square and then just finished a meal at Hotel Pegas. I had a delicious chicken dish and Fanta, Mom had goulash! Yum!!!

Tomorrow we leave for Vienna- Vienna State Opera tomorrow night!!!!!! Can't wait!!!!

Ich bin in Berlin!

From the lobby of Amstel House Hostel in Berlin!!!!

Long day yesterday and I'm going on more than 48 hours of no sleep. Other than some catnaps....

Arrived in Berlin after uneventful travel around 8 am.  Took the bus to the hostel with Gene leading the way, and then after checking into the tiny, tiny rooms we got out w Ezra and Gene to walk around the city and start to get acquainted with the subway system.  The weather is in the 50s here and overcast but as Cam says much better light for taking pictures.  Tried out a local food market, where Mom and I tried spinach strudel (NOM NOM NOM!) and I filched potatoes off of Gene and Ezra's plates. We walked down to the western shopping mall area to pick up our Berlin welcome passes for travel on public transportation.  Some interesting large modern art sculptures around, and a church which survived WWII and now is completely hidden from view by restoration walls.  Ezra left to pick up two of our students at the airport, and Mom and I went with Gene back to the hostel where we are still trying to stay awake.

Can't believe it but we're hungry. Will wait til the UWEC team is downstairs so we can go explore the street food. Currywurst anyone????

Am about to fall off my perch.  Tchuss!!!


BTW- Currywurst is delicious!  It is a wurst with lots of curry powder dumped on top. Fries with mayo and ketchup on the side!\.

Take Two!

I'm back!!!!!

It's been a year.  And now it's summer again, and again I travel to find myself.  I've had a great time to New Orleans already, and in about 20 minutes I take off for Berlin!

19 hours of travel later, I will arrive at Tegel Airport.  See you then!

Mitra

Stockholm stories

Nancy and I are headed back to WI tomorrow. We've had some great adventures in Sweden- we went for a boat tour of some of the Archipelago today, we went to the Vasa Museum ( which had a complete Swedish warship from the 1620s!), Skansen (open air museum w bears, wolverines, moose, lynx, foxes, etc), and I've eaten a moose burger, Swedish meatballs, artichoke soup, pancakes w cloudberries, lingonberry sauce, and goulash with dill pickles and sour cream (fantastic combination!), and a tiny bite of herring (ug). I also drank a shot of Swedish snaps (not like schnapps at all). Great shopping! We walked the medieval part of the city every day-Gamla Stan- and made it to  3 other islands.  It is beautiful here, and almost everyone speaks English so we had no trouble communicating with people.  Nancy is very friendly, so we met lots of nice Swedes (and one opera troll, who I'll tell you about later).

Pictures, and our Top Ten Best and Worst lists coming up in the next few days!!!!

Pippi Longstocking and Lingonberries

That about sums it up!

BMW tearing up the countryside!

Tall, handsome Swedes everywhere.

Sweden-we're hEre!

A drive to Madison, a ten hour flight, a rental car, a road trip to Linkoping, adventuring to find Rinna, the town in which Nancy's grandmother was born and baptized, and navigating a Swedish mega-grocery/home store later, we're settled in a cottage out in the southern Swedish countryside. It is cool weather, farmers have just put up the hay, and we are next to a lovely lake. Very nice. We're making bread and soup (ok, Nancy is) and then will have icecram and fresh strawberries. More tomorrow, but we're fine.

UW-Eau Claire and Sweden

Hi all-

I haven't written for a while and realized that not everyone knows I'm home safe in Eau Claire.  Thank you to those who checked in on me after the shootings at the Empire State Building- I am far from there, but like many I am horrified at some people's cruelty.

My last week in NYC was wonderful--I will post more in detail later.  But I had three more interesting salon experiences, walked over the Brooklyn Bridge, and went to Coney Island!  Also the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Battery Park, and the Museum of Natural History.  It was a great ending to a great time in a great city.

I got home on Monday evening- Nancy picked me up and we dawdled along, stopping at different stores and fast food restaurants :).  Late night.  I've been at school all week, pushing to get syllabi completed and sent to the copy center, sending greetings to new students, getting my office sort of cleaned up, and attending meetings and finishing reports.  Because remember, I'm heading to Sweden on Monday!  Nancy and I are going to Stockholm, and will also spend two days in rural Sweden as she researches her family tree.  It is going to be terrific.  If anyone knows any one in Stockholm, let me know, as I don't know anyone!

I have one last report I really must write before I go home today, and I have a massage appointment at 6:30 p.m. (YAY) so I've got to sign off.  Hope you all are well.
Mitra

Tuesday, August 14

Almost caught up!

So tired this morning I actually had a hard time sitting up when I woke up.  Long days of walking, lots of food and not enough liquids, overstimulation by noise and crowds, and a full, full mind are all adding up.

Caught up on some work email and submitted summer grades.  Almost decided to do nothing but then knew that wasn't possible.  So few days left, so many things I want to do.

I wrote a list so I wouldn't get overwhelmed like I was yesterday, and I headed down to the Flatiron district one more time and walked to an Iranian restaurant I have been wanting to go to.  On the way there, I stopped at some sample sales (temporary pop-up stores in open storefronts that are selling left over designer merchandise.  Fun to look, but didn't buy anything).  Got to Ravaugh and had what might have been the best meal of my life.  While I was eating it brought back so many memories I almost cried again.

Bread with two types of sauce, maust au khayar, lentil soup, saffron rice, grilled vegetables, and chicken kabob.  Everything was stunningly delicious, but when I bit into the first bite of chicken I could hardly believe how good it was.  I ate slowly, with Farsi conversations and Iranian music in the background.  Had hot tea (scalding, really) afterwards, complete with sugar cubes to hold between my teeth for the tea to pass through.  Truly heavenly.  Under $20 because it was the lunch menu.  This is my favorite restaurant in NYC-Sapporo, you have been replaced!

What a fabulous culinary experience.  In a tiny restaurant off of 5th Ave.

Walked slowly down to 17th street to look at some thrift stores whose proceeds go towards supporting people with AIDS- I enjoyed looking around but only bough a book (HA!)- "An Available Man" which I have checked out twice from the library in EC and never finished.  Now I can finish it without rushing!  Stopped in TJ Maxx-so much different than in smaller cities-and purchased some accessories for my Mac products and two bags.  A new Baggalini!  My current one is ripping, but the trusty Baggalini has accompanied me to China, South Africa, Spain, and Portugal and never let me down!  The new one has a pocket for the iPad- perfect!  Also a new orange purse which I don't need, but I liked. So there.

Window shopped in a few other places and then went to Sephora- I have been planning to switch away from liquid foundation to something simpler like a powder.  I haven't been wearing makeup for the last month and a half and my face is very happy so I want to simplify things.  I purchased some mineral makeup which I think I am really going to enjoy.  Headed home.

Got home early, and decided that I didn't really want to blog, so I went to the Crosstown Diner for cheesecake and coffee. The cheesecake has been voted the best in the Bronx, and it was delicious.

They also have famous shakes, so I'll get that tomorrow!

Pictures from the walk home:

Where I did my laundry

E. Treemont, the main drag in the Bronx, and off of which I live

Home again, home again, blog, blog, blog.  AND, caught up!

Tomorrow am meeting Lock at the Metropolitan Museum of art for lunch and a look at some paintings, then if time to the Natural History Museum, and then volunteering at the Fringe Festival!  If we can work it out, dinner with Caroline and her friends at Iguana.  I hope it works out!

Night night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs, cockroaches, rats, or mice bite.

Monday August 13- in the running for best day

This was a fabulous day.   Almost overslept b/c of the late night (and one of Caroline's specialty mixed drinks :)  ) but got myself down to the Flatiron district again in time for my:

Free haircut at the Ted Gibson salon!!!!

Before

Me in the Ted Gibson dressing gown

How did I get a free haircut?  Well, it was Craigslist!  I saw that one of the associates at Ted Gibson needed to demonstrate a layered cut and I volunteered.  It takes a little longer this way, but I got a $100 haircut for free.  Well, "New York free" which means $20 for the tip and I had to buy two products.  She told me about the products before I got there so it wasn't a surprise, and I got some useful things, but "free" around here makes me laugh :)

I now know what a "precision" haircut is.  Dang, I've never had anyone cross check my hair so many different ways and spend such a long time cutting each individual strand.  But it looks good!  In the pics it is hard to tell b/c it is still long and we only did subtle layers, but it feels much more healthy and I got a great blow out as well.  I wish I had a picture of the back of my hair--it truly looked like a movie star it was that beautiful.  Genyii took a photo, so maybe I'll ask her for it!  Anyway, it was a lovely experience and I would definitely go back.

After

Here is what Genyii posted on Twitter:

http://twitter.com/GenyiiScott/status/235063595896012800/photo/1/large

Skywriting above Chelsea! 

The famous Chelsea Hotel, home to Patti Smith, Dylan Thomas, Bob Dylan, Virgil Thompson, Robert Mapplethorpe, Sid Vicious, Janis Joplin, Madonna, and on and on and on

How can the Chelsea Hotel be closed?  But it is.  Some permanent residents still live there, but they fear they will be kicked out.  What's going on?  Jack Kerouac wrote "On the Road" here- this place MUST stand!

 The plan for today is to wander Chelsea.  Land of art galleries, expensive living, uber hip everything!  Found an Italian restaurant I wanted to go to, but the kitchen is closed on Mondays.  They referred me to "The Chop Shop" which is actually a Thai place, and the food was fabulous!  The chicken coconut curry was yummy, and the veggie dumplings had the crispest crust.  YUM!  Are you noticing a theme here in my eating habits?  I love the food in NYC!

Strolled the neighborhoods, looking at the wonderful apartment buildings and brownstones- I really love this area and can see why it is such a hot spot.  Many of the galleries are closed for new installations, but I did lots of window gazing and saw much unique artwork.  Found two bookstores--I can find them anywhere!--and bought "The Imperfectionists" at 192 Books, even though the person at the counter was excessively snotty.  The other bookstore would be heaven for a visual artist, as the Juilliard bookstore is to me, so I just looked around but was in awe of this specialty bookstore.

In search of a public restroom, I stumbled upon the Chelsea Pier.  The weather was perfect, the skies clear, the water peaceful, the view fantastic, it was relatively quiet, and there were few people there.  Heaven!

It was so beautiful.  I decided to stay as long as I wanted.  So I sat and read, snacked, and even took a nap. Yep, I felt comfortable enough to lie down on the bench and nap for 30 minutes.  And I felt so much better!  I absolutely loved watching the ships and getting away from the noise that is NYC.

Strolled to the Empire State Building to use one of the free tickets from Sara.  On the way, I encountered the High Line Park.  I had read about it, but did not expect to see it.  It is amazing!  The city has turned an unused, abandoned raised train trestle into a park!  There are beautiful plantings, sculptures, patches of grass, benches and lots of places to sit, and even food stands.  It is incredible!  And you can see into people's apartments!  I learned a lot.  The New Yorkers love the High Line, and it is truly special.  There are plans to add more to the park, but I think it is over 20 blocks currently.

New York Post Office, Penn Station (yes, it truly is ugly!  I see why New Yorkers are pissed), and Madison Square Garden were also on my way.

Empire State Building- long lines, annoying people, lots of stages of waiting.  Completely worth it.

When I finally couldn't bear the crowds any more, I left.  I couldn't stand the tourists pushing me-one Chinese man was particularly egregious.  I counted to ten, swore in my head, and moved on.

I really wanted to eat Korean, as this is Koreatown (so small now that it is easy to miss it).  I found one that wasn't too expensive, but wasn't really that good either.  I probably should have just paid for it and actually enjoyed it.  Happily, this is the first sub-par meal I've had here.

Looks great though, huh?  And the soup was really good :)  Not so the bugalbi.

One interesting thing happened to me today- at one point I was tired, hot, and hungry, and memories started to flood over me and I almost started to cry.  The man waiting next to me at the stoplight must have noticed that my eyes were flooded with tears and he smiled at me and started talking to me about the weather and how beautiful it was.  He escorted me down the block, and when we parted ways I was smiling.  What a chance encounter with a sensitive person who could tell I needed some kind words.  Thanks, man.