Today was the final day for me to get everything done before the students arrived: getting Euros to give to them when they arrive, finding a restaurant in Grinzing for a lunch, picking up tickets for the Vienna Boys Choir, and printing itineraries and rooming lists.
![IMG_4170](http://inmozartsfootsteps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_4170-e1330760484621-199x300.jpg)
Vienna's Votive Church, taken from one of the large tram stations. Old and new are always meeting in Vienna.
It was also a day to meet with some old friends. I had lunch with Dr. Rudolf Hopfner, the Director of the Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments (a wonderful collection, by the way). We ate at a lovely Italian restaurant where I will take the students Saturday night. In the U.S., we think of Italian as one of the favorite restaurants in which to eat. It is similar here, but then I realized that Italy is right next to Austria. It gives it a different light.
Dinner with with two very good friends, Christa and Peter. I first met them in New Orleans when Peter taught at the university there about ten years ago. We went to Greek restaurant that I must have walked by a hundred times. The food was very good. I should have eaten there sooner!
It was also a gorgeous day, which made for some nice pictures.
The students arrive tomorrow which will be exciting. I need to shift from planner to guide!
![IMG_4165](http://inmozartsfootsteps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_4165-1024x680.jpg)
The Austrian Parliament with the top of Vienna's City Hall in the background. These are just some of the magnificent buildings along Ringstrasse.