Hiking the Otscher Mountain

All those coming to Austria this semester will have the opportunity to hike in many of the most beautiful and serene mountain ranges that Europe has to offer. A personal favorite of mine happens to be the hike to the summit of the Ötscher Mountain which is only about a 15 minute drive from the Kartause. In the summer, one can take a ski lift up part way and then hike another hour or so to the summit. From the tip of this mountain one can see all the way into Slovakia and also glimpse many of the more impressive mountain ranges here in Austria.

As if this opportunity was not enough, during the winter months, the students will have the opportunity to ski on this mountain during the school sponsored ski trip in November.

Here are some nice shots of the mountain during our summit last week:

Meet your Male RD - Vince Granado

Hi, my name is Vince Granado. I was raised in Dallas, Texas. I graduated from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2003. Since then I spent a year and a half doing mission work in the Caribbean and Philippines. I worked as a youth and campus minister in the Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana, and for the past two years I have returned to Franciscan University to work as a Residence Director in Francis Hall. My favorite locations in Europe thus far are: Vienna, Barcelona, and Lourdes. I enjoy good conversations, running, rock climbing, reading good books, playing the guitar, and photography. But perhaps my most enjoyable moments are spent sipping coffee at any of the fantastic cafes that Europe has to offer.

Save Your Boarding Pass!

If you are flying Austrian Airlines from the USA this fall out to Gaming, you can save your boarding pass for extra perks here in Europe, especially Vienna!

To read the introduction for this offer, go to the Austrian Airlines website: Austrian Airlines Boarding Pass Offers

To see all the special deals in Vienna and in the other cities click here

Safe Travels and save those boarding passes!

Ireland Travelers

For all those going to Ireland before coming to Gaming, you are in for a splendid time. My family and I visited Ireland during the fall 2006 break. We visited Dublin, the Aryan Islands, the Dingle Peninsula, and County Cavin, as well as the Cliffs of More. We have some great memories: lush green land, Guinness on Tap, more sheep than the mind can possibly imagine, English speaking!, gorgeous water, wonderful pubs, catholic culture, and history galore. A highlight of the trip was going to visit the hope where my wife's grandparents used to live in Cavin. Now, it is nothing but a shack, but it brought back thoughts about how material things are passing (symbolized by their home) but the human spirit is enduring (their children and grandchildren still alive from their sacrifice). This upcoming semester, students will be challenged to meet and encounter the challenges, failures, longings, and victories of the human spirit throughout Europe. They will reexamine their lives and hopefully their priorities as well.

As far as places to visit, the Aryan Islands where fantastic, although the B& B said a 5 minute walk, it was more like 15. Be careful of the Irish exaggeration! Moreover, the Dingle Peninsula was spectacular. We were able to rent bikes and peddle all over next to the spectacular coast stopping now and then to pick wild raspberries.

For those traveling to Ireland, have fun, and we will see you in Gaming!

Monsoon season has arrived

After just returning to Gaming from a nice and restful summer vacation, I returned to the Monsoon season here in Gaming. The geography doesn't suggest a rainy summer, but apparently this season it is so. I just don't get it. Back in Minneapolis of all places, we had 90's and sun, and more sun, and 110 % humidity. I then return to Gaming where the highs are in the 50's! Needless to say, we may start the wood stove tonight to take the chill out of the home! One can't even spot the Kartause children with all this rain!!

Just enjoy summer while its there: tan, be outdoors, and don't take all that sun and heat for granted. Hopefully, when all the fall 08 students arrive, the Monsoon will have run its course and the dark green velvety hills will shimmer as the sun pours over these gorgeous mountains.

Until we meet,

God's Love,

Mark