Morning comes early in Vienna - by 6 am the bright sunshine was shining through are windows welcoming a beautiful day.   The students have the wake up, pack up, eat up, load up schedule down to a science!

We began with a quick drive around bus tour of the city center noting the some historic buildings and important places.  We unloaded in Strauss park and have a great picture of Johann with Johann.   You will see lots of walking pictures because we did a lot of walking :)  You will also see walking with cameras, walking while staring up at all the beautiful architecture.   We settled on a meeting place then many of us went to St. Peter's church.    - the one with all the gold in the pictures.  they have had mass there every day for 1600 years - unfathomable!

After that the group split to see the sites, (some enjoyed a carriage ride)  shop, eat lunch and absorb the atmosphere,.   I ate at a traditional viennese restaurant - something along the lines of a pub without a bar.   Joilo had breaded fresh mushrooms  - I had bread dumplings with egg and fresh saurkraut type coleslaw - with Orange juice infused with sparkling water.  

The group met on time at St Stephen's cathedral - but the tour guide hired by our company never showed.  First we stood around, then played with pigeons - then decided to sing a little concert.  Oh what a wonderful experience.   Our deserted little corner soon filled with people coming to hear the music.   One elderly lady stopped and said she used to be a tenor in the Vienna choir - and our sound was wonderful!!!!   She was even there to hear Miranda sing and admired everything.   We had more than 100 people at one point.   Definitely another tour highlight!!!!!  Manny had a person tell him there has never been a choir that sang there outside the church.  He even said he would have set up a piano for him  :)  

These kids are performing tremendously!   Thunderbird Adventist Academy has every reason to be thankful and proud of them and all the hard work.
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We made a short stop at the musical cemetery   - not really called that but Strauss, Beethoven, Schubert and a Mozart memorial are there.

We loaded up and were off to Gratz - another beautiful 2 hour drive!   Rolling hills, quaint villages and green - so different then AZ!   Mr Purvis was unable to comment - he has developed laryngitis from the cold that is making the rounds.   He set up different students to introduce each song.

The church in Gratz is modern, open, fresh with beautiful wood finish.  The hosts were Sooooooo welcoming  - they had juice and tea out to refresh us on our arrival.  Choir helped carry equipment in and Abellimenti set up.  

Imagine Monday night - work week, school day, etc,   - about 60 people came to hear us.   They were an enthusiastic audience and gave the kids a double encore.  

Afterwards the students chatted with the people and allowed them to come and try out the bells etc.   While the handbell group has not been able to play in public like the chorale - they definitely are the stars after the programs as they share their knowledge and enthusiasm for bell ringing.

Supper was delicious with rice, potatoes, noodles, salad, apple sturdel, ricotta strudel and a delicious romanian cabbage soup!   We were treated to gourment delicious food!

Tomorrow we will meet up with a local college student who will give us a personal guided tour of Gratz - including one of the oldest glockenspiels in Europe!   After lunch at the church we will drive our long stretch to Florence!    Time is flying.   I'm a bit tired and have lots of pictures so will end for tonight.