Anyway, continuing from my previous post. Well, what do Austrians do on their National day? In Singapore there is this big hooha and fireworks and everything. And preparations for National day starts months beforehand. Here, it is a public holiday for one. So nothing, absolutely nothing is open, except one kind of building. Museums. And we celebrate with a big party, here its a celebration of culture, of history, of their long lasting heritage, of the present culture. Its like a day to reflect on how far the country has come along in terms of a unique nation, who started off big (think Hapsburg Empire) and now is really small compared to the rest of Europe, but still is immensely proud of its long history, its gemütlich people, its unique culture and customs. So museums, which I would expect to be closed, are open, and they have free admission. Talk about celebrating your country, I think its really a proper way to do it. To remind people, here is your past, as you walk through archeological artifacts in the Ferdinandeum Landesmuseum. And then look at the modern art exhibits and here is your present. And after everything, walking through the pretty Altstadt, there is the reminder of how beautiful this country is and just thinking of that makes you so happy to be here and eager and excited for the bright future of this small but big state.
And so me and my new found friends ( I am really so so so happy I talked to Lizzy and made friends with them!) we went down to the Ferdinandeum, which was really an eccentric mix of artifacts all the way from the stone age, to music and paintings and glass/metal crafts all the way from that stone age period to present. It was just amazing, how the stone age people managed to create items of such high quality, and those 18century paintings were really life like. And modern art. I don’t fully understand it. But I can feel the sense of creativity flowing from those exhibits. From 3s loop videos of roasting chicken/pork/beef, to just simple pictures of every day Austrians. Amazing. Oh! and they actually employed some women doing traditional Austrian crafts ie. textiles, belt work, lace making, basket weaving, yarn spinning. That was really amazing. To see those age old crafts surviving up till now, with living working examples doing it. And seeing the pieces of art complete stitch by stitch, you just have to marvel at the skill of those people who painstakingly learn and pass on the skill (I hope!)
And after that, it was the Hofkirche and the Tiroler Volkskunst Museum. I was really looking forward to the Hofkirche, coz it usually costs money to go in. And there is this enormous sarcophagus cenotaph for the Emperor Maximilian I. But he is not inside. He’s actually in Vienna with the rest of his extended family. And the statues inside the Hofkirche was just WOW. The detail of the embroidery of their clothing was all carved on the statues. Pictures will come. And the Volkskunst Museum, which is the folk art museum. That was nice, it was arts and crafts made by the normal people. People like you and me, leading regular lives making their way through this big world. And it fully showcased the daily things they used, like utensils, and cupboards, beds, clothing (I liked this one best, looks like I am a fashion addict) and they even had replica rooms of houses built inside the museum. And the strange thing was, when I looked at how their benches were build, which was, this bench stuck to the wall, and its wall-to-wall and what you do is push a table next to the wall and add a couple more chairs instead of a table and surrounding it all with chairs. And our kitchen looks EXACTLY like that too! And I was pretty much amazed at how tradition has stuck so long. After all, we are talking about age old traditional folk art, and I am living in a modern apartment. But the furniture is still built pretty much the same identical way. I was awed. And I am not surprised, coz it works pretty well, and you can definitely fit more people onto a bench than an individual chair.After that was the Goldenes Dachl Museum with the life of Maximilian I. I guess I was tired and it didn’t help that the audio guide was in german and not english. But there was an interesting video, and the exhibits had english too. So it wasn’t all that of a loss. And after that, it was 5pm and the museums all closed. SO! 3 museums and a church on one day. I was pretty much in awe of the history and culture and heritage of Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria. Pretty cool. I can’t wait for our field trip to the Hofburg though. That should be really cool too.
And at night, Lizzy and gang organised a Halloween party! Yes it is early, but it was still good fun. I managed to meet people, and they are all really nice people! And I guessed the alcohol helped too haha. But yah! I enjoyed myself, especially the carving of the pumpkin, the food, Kings (it is this drinking card game, the most ridiculous things happen.) and just chilling out and talking in general. I know that yes yes I should talk more German and not so much English with the Americans. But really, I gotta escape. And they themselves, speak more German in daily life than most of the other overseas students. So I do get quite a bit of practice hanging out with them! I hope and think we will become really good friends! And really thank God for this meeting with them, coz I really was feeling that the Austrians in the hostel are so cliquish.
And today, Saturday, I woke up late, did grocery shopping and stoned in front of the comp. I was supposed to do work, but failed eeks. Tomorrow is field trip day. I hope I can get some reading done on the bus though!
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