Found a Quiet Place

I've been sitting up on the Sun Deck of the boat to get away from the cacophony of the dining hall. Unfortunately, the quiet place that I found has now turned into gab central. It's not too bad though as I can hear the insects chirping, the cars driving in the distance, and the low rumble of the boats docked. All in all it's a relaxing place to spend a Monday evening.

Today we were able to stop at two places in Vienna; the first being Stephansplatz and the second Schönbrunn Palace. I was touched by the murals along the outside of the Stephansplatz's Stephansdom Cathedral. There were a series of images of Jesus Christ being beaten and humiliated that made me tear up. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Christ but don't often look at images of His physical sufferings towards the end of His life. The Church I attend chooses to focus on His resurrection rather than death.

Inside the Cathedral was dark and hot. There were droves of people going in and out which lessened the effect. I do find the idea using architecture to encourage people to look up to Heaven interesting but I feel a disconnect from a God that is far away and unreachable. Maybe that's not the intention behind that style of building but those are the feelings that I had.

The Schönbrunn Palace was an interesting place to walk through. I'm glad that we had our own your guide as I feel I would have been more disengaged listening to a recording. He also had some interesting quotes that aren't public record to share with us. There were a few rooms that were extra warm. The guide even said that when it's really crowded some people pass out due to lack of oxygen. I feel like he was having us on though but the temperature was enough to make me feel faint.

I didn't get a chance to look at the gardens or explore them as our bus was leaving to go back to the boat. The little time I did have I used to make sure my Mom was able to find a seat in the shade and got to it safely.

Overall it's been a good long sweaty day. I'm going to go try and retire early tonight to finish my mental clock change.