Lessons in Vienna Austria

First, I've learned to use a train rather than the more comfortable taxis. Crazy, I was informed by our hotel that it could cost me as much as Euro18 to go to the BARG meeting venue while a train just cost me Euro1.70.

The funny thing is that I have different eperiences in the three (3) days that I used the train. First day, I asked the front desk for a direction and she exlained it clearly and so with a map on my hand I confidently board a train. After 20min or so I was already in Karlplatz. I didn't that much but I just went out of the station believing it was like an MRT where as soon as get out it would be easy to go where ever you want. I was wrong. The was landmark the front lady told me was no where in sight. I had to open my big map and then I had to ask people. I did. Maybe I asked three people. They told me where but all of them wanted me to take a tramp. I said I want to walk. You know be familiar with the place and see Vienna by foot. At last the last guy told me that at the end of the block I will see Mcdonald's then I turn right. McDO??? now that sounds familiar. So, I did and then ask few more people until I finally arrived. No sweat literally. It was cold so it was good for walking.

The second day. Karlplatz and I said I will not get lost again. But lo and behold, when I stepped out of the station it was a different place all together. I had to look for that damn Mcdo. Whew.. I had to ask and ask until I found my way. Faster than it was the other day.

The third day. Naah, I wont get lost anymore and then I was with my colleague so no more problem. I spoke fast. When we arrived and step out of the station. IT WAS RAINING!! hahahahahahaha.... We waited and waited and actually went inside a school campus for shelter. It seemed that the rain wouldn't stop so we decided to take a cab.

The whole time I was in Vienna was like being in a gym. Just walking and walking and walking for more until the last day. The food wasn't good at all. Filipino food is still the best. C'mmon not let me eat binagoongan, lechon kawali, sinigang na baboy etc etc., hmmm, now I am hungry. Well, I am happy with the experience.

The real and very important learnings happened on the second day. I was tired the night before because we ate very late in a fancy restaurant (for free, but the food wasn't that recommendable but the ambience of that place was different and so it made me buy a bottle of wine and I hope iy would reach the Philippines in good shape). Different time zone and got tired with all the walking with a very heavy laptop bag. Anyway, in the afternoon the blue bug hit me. Yeah, I was feeling sad and maybe homesick and drain with all the presentations and meetings I had. This made me feel a little bit intimidated and so at the end of the sessions, I was really in the right disposition. I needed an open space.

I walked and saw that people were going inside a very old gate. I came in and it made me laugh inside because it was a university and people stared at me. An Asian guy lost in a crowd of Austrian students. I prentended that I wasn't lost but Im sure they figured it out. Then I went inside another gate. I got my open space. It was the Belvedere. Wow. I mean wow! Huge.. anyway, I sat down and relaxed a bit and took some pictures and decided to come back the following day. Ok, I wasn't really feeling well yet. blue blue blue... my world was blue. Then I saw a church. The doors were open. But I wasn't sure yet that it was a Catholic church. Then I saw the pictures of the late Pope John Paul II and that of Mother Mary. I felt it. I was home. It was God's grace that I was there. Right there and then a tear fell off. I was sad and homesick and He called me. That's how much God loves me. He knew me inside and outside. He knew I needed some rest. How I felt His love and how it changed what I was feeling. I saw just maybe five people and realized that the Priest was preparing for the Mass. I decided to stay. I didn't understand a word because everything was in German. I just went a long. That night I opened the bible and I was struck with reading in Psalms for that day. You know, the trees are planted on a stream.. something like that. See. He refreshed me and gave me enough energy and positive feeling to end a week long journey. Going back to the mass. God was in Austria as He is in the Philippines. He was in Slovenia and anywhere I went. I know He can speak in German but He made sure to tell me in English and Filipino how everything will be alright and that He was there for me. Amen. He was with me all the time.

Ok.. there are other learnings but I am starting to get dizzy. I can't wait to get home and see Josephine and my dear son, Polo. :)