Vienna!

Well, make no mistake, the buildings in Vienna are BIG. And just when you think you've seen the biggest, you stumble on one that's even BIGGER. As I did this morning, taking a jaunt around the museum district on this lovely, sunny day (about 65 degrees, yes I'm rubbing it in!).

And they get BIGGER still!!!

There was no way to capture the one below.  It took three photos and still I couldn't get it all.  This mother is HUGE. Goes all around the square and entrance as one huge monolith!!

I mean, these folks really knew how to build on a massive scale. It's really easy to see why it was so appealing to folks like the Nazis. I mean, these things are a real testament to the highly expanded human ego! In both its highest and lowest forms! Vienna was occupied by the Nazis, but before that it had long been the seat of great happenings. As a history of Vienna states it, "Vienna has hosted the Habsburg court for several centuries, first as the imperial see of the Holy Roman Empire, then the capital of the Austrian Empire and later of the Austro-Hungarian" Now that's pretty heady stuff! 

But it is also the home of some of our greatest and most expanded composers, like Mozart, who changed everything with his music! And philosophers who also changed the face of philosophy forever. And the Vienna Philharmonic. And Goethe. And so many more.

You can see why walking around places like this.

I leave it feeling expanded, changed, opened up. Feeling like I could do anything. Write great music, think the most elevated thoughts ever thought, play God. Yes, I understand Vienna better now, and it's impressive contribution to human history!

So I think I'll go see if I can find Mozart's grave and say 'hi.' And thanks.  

(see below for Shadow report)