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GSE7190-1910

15 Blog Entries
1 Trip
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Trips:

D7190 GSE to GSE 1910

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http://blogabond.com/GSE7190-1910


The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 in the initial years of their professional life. The program provides travel grants for teams of participants to exchange visits between paired areas in different
countries. For four to six weeks, team members
study the host country’s institutions and ways
of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. Team members can come from corporations, small businesses,
community organizations, medical and educational facilities, government offices, and nonprofit agencies.

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GSE7190-1910
GSE7190-1910



Wednesday, May 7 Travel day to Schladming

Schladming, Austria


Austrian Alps
Today is a travel day, as we leave Waidhoffen and travel, via our VW bus to Schladming. On our 2 hour journey we crossed over the Enns River with Werner was our driver and guide. Werner grew up under the Hitler regime during World War II and had hiked up and skied most every mountain we passed, his stories were engaging. As we drove we were all in awe . . . words simply cannot describe the vistas of the Austrian Alps that surrounded us. The evening of our arrival we were hosted a traditional evening by Rotarians to a at Hotel Alte Post.

Schladming is a small city of about 20,000 people and again it is a community where most of the families know each other well. It is a traditional Austrian community and we saw that they still maintain much of their traditional dress. Schladming is a skiing community. They host the World Cup Slalom skiing competition and about 50,0000 people are here during that time. They have farmer's market each Friday. This is also... I visited the market today Kim got a chance to visit one of these markets with the 83 year old mother of Dr. George Fritsch and bought a bottle of oil typical for this area made from the seed of a pumpkin-like squash.
They have an active Rotary club of 35 members with one or two additional members each year.

permalink written by  GSE7190-1910 on May 7, 2008 from Schladming, Austria
from the travel blog: D7190 GSE to GSE 1910
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Monday & Tuesday May 5 & 6 Vocational Days & Rotary

Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria

We all went seperate directions to visit locations of professional interest.
More details about each of our days later, but we are all learning new and interesting things about our individual vocations.

Waidhofen Rotary
Tuesday night was our first meeting and presentation with the Waidhofen Rotary Club at Restaurant Hochkogel.


permalink written by  GSE7190-1910 on May 6, 2008 from Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria
from the travel blog: D7190 GSE to GSE 1910
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Sunday, May 4 A stroll about Waidhofen

Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria

We enjoyed breakfast with our host families before meeting for brunch at Schlosshotel. Today we took a walking tour of the town with Rotarian Peter, an eye surgeon, who lives and works in Waidhofen. Peter was born in Ethiopia to Austrian parents and grew up near an American military base so he speaks very good English! We also visited a local blacksmith who has returned to the traditional way of working with iron. This area of Austria is known as the "Iron working" area because it was the center of the iron trade for centuries.
Our day continued taking us up into the hills to see a real alpine log flume, where lumberjacks would send the logs down the river in order to make charcoal to burn for the blacksmith's fires. We hiked through the Mendling Valley and saw breathtaking snow covered mountains that seemed to go up into heaven!

permalink written by  GSE7190-1910 on May 4, 2008 from Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria
from the travel blog: D7190 GSE to GSE 1910
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Saturday May 3 – Arrival Day

Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria


Castle
Including the time change and overall airtime, the trip took a total of 18 hours. After arriving in Vienna, gathering our luggage, and making our way through customs we were met at the airport by two Rotarians and then into a VW van for a 2 hour trip to Waidhofen, via the Autobahn. Waidhofen is a medieval town and you can still see remains of the fortress wall that once surrounded it. In 1997 the town celebrated its 1,000 year anniversary! The area has a very small-town atmosphere, but the population is about 12,000. One notable feature of Waidhofen is the 25-30 kilometer forest that surrounds the city. Centuries ago the leader of Vienna decided that a forest should surround the city in order to maintain fresh air in Vienna. They also have several wind turbines for generating electricity. Saturdays are weekly market day, a tradition that dates back for centuries. The farmers outside of town bring in their goods; produce, live chickens and pigs, to be sold at the market on the Upper Main Street.
On the evening of our arrival we were invited to attend a concert of a Young opera singer that grew up in Waidhofen, at Kristallsaal. In 2010, he will be performing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. After the performance we met up with some Rotarians for dinner. The concert and dinner took place in a castle, last owned by the Rothschild family around 100 years ago. It is now owned by a museum and is a community cultural center where artists exhibit their musical and artistic talents.

permalink written by  GSE7190-1910 on May 3, 2008 from Waidhofen an der Ybbs, Austria
from the travel blog: D7190 GSE to GSE 1910
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Friday 2, May On our way . . .

Albany, United States


Through Security & on our way, our final Good-bye!
Here we are, departure day has finally arrived and we are ready to go. Hopefully we will all make it through security with our bags . . . so many gifts, so little weight allowed! Feelings of excitement, anticipation, nervousness all rolled into one.
Whew . . .everyone's checked luggage made it under the weight limit! Next, on to the security line and good bye to family and friends who came to wish us well . . . Okay, so Kim DID have to go through about 3 times, but YES we all made it through, bags cleared the scrutiny and we are on our way to the gate . . . a final good bye wave to the kids as they look down from the overlook . . . up up and away to the adventure of our lives . . .we expect.

permalink written by  GSE7190-1910 on May 2, 2008 from Albany, United States
from the travel blog: D7190 GSE to GSE 1910
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