We put them in rest homes, we kinda kick them under the rug and make believe they don't exist. They [the people in Vienna] don't feel like that. In a lot of these older places in the world, they value their older people and their older people feel they can still be a part of the community and I thought: This is a terrific idea - that old people are useful -and that means I don't have to worry so much about getting old because I can still have a use in this world in my old age. I thought "Vienna waits for you..."

-Billy Joel

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Ruhig Weiter Traumen.

It means "keep dreaming big", and this was kind of the theme of our whole study abroad trip, created by the one and only Brother Minert. 


Bittersweet.
 I wasn't excited to leave...


BUT am excited to be home. :)


Oma and Opa at the Thanksgiving Dinner

He kills me.


Brother and Sister Minert are so funny. We were interviewing them about when they dated. Best ever!

Gustav Klimt's "The Kiss" is in Vienna and this piece is printed on everything!


Kasekrainer. YUM

At one of the many Christmas markets!


Sebastian Beer, our German teacher!


On Sunday night we had a last meeting where we were all able to say what we learned on the trip, what dreams of ours came true, and whatever else we wanted. It was an emotional night alright! We have all become so close and there is not one person I don't want to hang out with at BYU! Brother Minert's remarks were really touching. He referred to the movie Casablanca and the line "We will always have Paris". Except he changed it up and explained that although we will all be going our separate ways and going down different paths in life, we can stay close because we will always have Vienna.

We will always have Vienna...