Das ist Die Guten Timer Bobber!

So I had a week between my Hebrew and Greek finals, so the best way to transition of course is to go to a German speaking region--adding yet another linguistic layer of confusion should naturally bring clarity and light.

Wednesday I traveled up to Vienna on a lovely flight that showed us the Alps on our way by. I decided to walk through the old city on my way to the train station, and stopped by one of my favorite cathedrals (being one of the first I saw, way back in '95), the Stefansdom.











Renowned for its unique roof patterns.



I went inside to pray daytime prayer, and wandered the interior to be amazed yet again at the intricate stonework and sculpture.






The side altar on the left.




The middle of the nave had a raised ambo whose characters perhaps expressed their thoughts on the sermon of the day . . .














They've heard quite a few.




Down below that same lectern you can see where the cathedral's architect included a spot to peek in:












Just keeping an eye on things . . .




Then I took the train into central Austria, to the northern side of the Alps, where my campus from Spring of '95 is--beginning as a Carthusian monastery in the Middle Ages.











It's great to be back.




Of course, the Alps are meant for snowboarding . . .








So I headed to the heights.



Serious descents call for serious thoughts:















At the end of a splendid day of boarding I started talking with a Hungarian skier about how great the conditions were--
















So we stayed on to talk on about life--and the first child they're expecting!



Saturday was the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple, when his parents bring the creator of the universe to his Father's house. Father Brad, T.O.R. invited me to preside at the morning Mass that day, so the unfortunate congregation had to put up my preaching.









The crane is a temporary presence over the chapel. Apparently, the church, like my homilies, is currently in need of work.




After Mass Father Brad and I headed out for some more skiing.













Another great day.



Today we were both on skis, and the conditions were good, so we really picked up speed as the day went on.












And another great run--


All in all it was a great week--got some good studying done, good slopes, good times with students and friends, all out Scrabble warfare, and excellent food!










And it was great to hike the terrain of my old campus.



One new development since my time there was a Byzantine chapel for the many Eastern-Rite students.











The Iconostasis.



All of the iconography had been done by students . . .













Very intricate work.



All in all, an ideal way to regroup at the end of my first semester--