August 2
The glorious Rathaus at night
* The online readings for today really were a handful. They are full of information, almost too much to handle at once. Nonetheless, I find it very interesting how powerful and significant the marriage alliances were for Maximilian I and Charles V. It makes gaining power seem so easy. I really enjoy the Habsburg motto, “Let others wage wars, you, happy Austria, marry!” The ambitious Charles V and his ideas for a universal monarchy surprised me. With all the religious warfare that has preceded him in the history of the world, it seems like a ridiculous plan to have in the first place.
* The walking tour of the Hofburg palace was great. It was neat to see the Roman ruins that had been discussed in the book. When we walked into the Heldenplatz I could completely imagine how it was under the rule of the Habsburgs. The Rathaus is also a gorgeous building and the open-air film festival was amazing with the sounds of the opera while crowds of people wined and dined under the stars.
* I am so jealous that Europe in general has so much rich history to it, while back home in California there is hardly such a thing beyond the mission establishments. I suppose this is the beauty of traveling, to see how other places were and how they currently exist. As seen in the nightlife at Rathaus, people here really enjoy the arts. There is certainly a different kind of appreciation here than in the States.
posted by lauREN @ 9/11/2006
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home