Slovakia part 2

The next stop on the trip was supposed to be Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia (Dave says he only learned how to successfully pronounce this AFTER they had already left the town).

However, when Vienna, Austria is less than 50km away from Bratislava, how could they not heed its siren call?! So, they took a little detour on their way to Banka Stiavnica and took in the sights and sounds and food of Vienna for an afternoon.

Dave was thrilled to be back in Vienna and led a group of students to some of his favorite places. This is the view from the top of St. Stephens in Vienna. To reach the top, you must ascend a very tight and extremely narrow staircase that has over 300 steps. The last time we both did this, it was June and over 90 degrees. I thought I was going to die as there is no ventillation through the staircase. Dave said that this trip to the top of St. Stephens was much more enjoyable!


Some U of R girls from Women's Choir in the nave of St. Stephens.
More of Vienna

The choirs eventually left Vienna and headed to Banska Stiavnica, Slovakia. This small town was one of Europe's main mining centers up until the 18th century.

View into one of the mines that is still in use today.

Some UofR Schola Choir kids. If you notice, everyone is dressed pretty warmly. Dave says that it continually snowed on and off the entire time they were in Banska Stianvica. Unfortunately, the luggage of one student had not followed him to Europe and he was having to buy everything as went along on the journey -- including hats, scarfs, winter jacket, and gloves.
View of Banska Stiavnica

Here you can see it actively snowing. The choirs performed in St. Catherine's Church and during their performance (which had a packed audience and even the standing room was taken), it was a chilly 35 degrees in the church. The choirs could literally see their breath as they performed their pieces. The orchestra members kept their gloves on until they played and then when their parts in a piece were over, immediately put the gloves back on. Dave says that this one singular event was the bonding experience for the entire trip.

Dave says that he really wishes they could have spent more time in Slovakia as a whole. He loved the country, the people, and the sights and wishes they could have had a couple more days in the country. But....Budapest was calling.