Austria victims of Nazi oppression?

One of the topics that came up several times while visiting Austria was the issue that many Austrians see their country as a victim of World War II. While clearly some groups of Austrians were victims it is interesting that the issue of support for Adolf Hitler in Austria seems to have gone unrecognized by many even today. I wonder what Freud's take on the issue would be?

http://www.austriantimes.at/news/General_News/2010-06-29/24634/Study_shows_many_Austrians_see_country_as_victim_of_Nazis

Economizing in Austria

Austria has to save money. There is no doubt about that. It appears as if the Austrians have an interesting way to do it.


http://www.austrianews.co.uk/2010/06/22/economizing-suggestions-from-citizens-in-austria/

Why doesn't Blogger update us when there are new comments?

This is quite annoying to me. Some of the blog postings are very provocative, and some interesting comments are attached to them, but blogger won't send us updates to let us know that: (a) someone has commented on your blog, or (b) someone commented on your comment.

I think some of the interesting discussion is written in the comments, and I've contributed to them with my own thoughts. But how can people respond if they don't know anyone commented on their post? If you want to read comments, you have to go back and search in blog postings you've already read, and no one is doing this it seems. What a shame.

The Vienna Declaration

In 2009, member of the media gathered in Vienna along with NGOs to create a declaration on press freedom. They eventually declared that state secrets in the 21st century only hurt those trying to stop terror groups. Complete open access to government information helps promote a free society which hurts the goals of non state actors who seek other solutions.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/magda-abufadil/vienna-declaration-press_b_376579.html

Spanish Riding School News

It appears tough times have caught up to the famous Austrian institution "The Spanish Riding School".

http://www.austriantimes.at/news/Business/2010-06-22/24400/Spanish_Riding_School_%27gallops_towards_bankruptcy%27

Things That I Really Enjoyed During Our Visit-My Short List

1. Visiting the different cafes of Vienna and realizing there is something important in slowing life down.
2. "Mayerling" normally not something that I would look forward to but I thoroughly enjoyed both the orchestra and the ballet. It gave a sense of clarity to the story of the Habsburgs.
3. Old Town Prague and its activity and vibrancy.
4. The beauty of Vienna and how well it works its green areas into its city planning. Parks range from Prater with its family atmosphere and numerous activities to the Vienna Woods with its vineyards and its panoramic vistas to the Volksgarten where people could relax, read a book or just retreat from city life for a while.
5. How efficient local transportation was ranging from trolleys to subways to buses.
6. The vast array of historic buildings and different styles of architecture. I enjoyed walking the Ringstrasse at night and being surprised how active it was even at midnight.
7. Seeing the many different perspectives of our group and witnessing that each of us have our own passions and motivations.
8. Talking to some of the residents of Vienna and hearing the pride in their voice about Viennese culture.
9. Being amazed by The Czech Republic and their recovery from a system that stifled a very creative culture. They have historically been caught in the middle of other peoples conflicts and still managed to have their own unique way of life.
10. Returning to the US and realizing I was very lucky to have such an opportunity that many others will never know.

Day Five: Friday, 11 June 2010

The visit to the Prague office of the IOM today was my favorite during this week. Lucie Sladkova gave a wealth of information about the IOM in general, her administration, and the current projects her office is working on in Czech Republic. I was very inspired by her talk, and I have a newfound interest in the IOM because of it.

Before our visit, I had the idea from previous research that IOM was not directly involved in efforts against human trafficking, but worked through other NGOs instead to combat trafficking. I learned that this office does support human trafficking research, however. Upon further research after our visit, I found an immense amount of information through the website of the Ministry of the Interior, where reports on human trafficking dating back almost 10 years can be accessed in English. The IOM facilitated many of these reports. I plan to use them to inform my research for this class.

If anyone is interested, here are the web addresses to the IOM, Prague, website and the Czech Republic Ministry of the Interior website:

http://www.iom.cz/

http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/

Day Four: Thursday, 10 June 2010

Upon arrival to Prague today, I was struck by the immediate difference in things like infrastructure and cleanliness in contrast to Vienna. It really hit home that this city so recently came out of the Velvet Revolution, yet at the same time I realized how far they’ve come in only 20 years.

Our Lonely Planet guidebook says that the city developed rapidly once it was free, but there are still plenty of rough edges to this place. And I like them. Vienna to me now seems almost too clean, too orderly. I like the street art on the buildings here, and the grittiness of the streets. In a way, it almost makes the better-kept tourist areas of the city seem inauthentic, but I must admit that I’d rather see a clean Prague Castle than a graffiti covered one.

The oldest parts of the city we visited today, around the Prague Castle grounds, were like an outdoor museum. Here are some pics… (and one of the street art at the bus station).

Day Three: Wednesday, 9 June 2010

Today was my favorite day on our itinerary so far. I very much enjoyed the discussion on human trafficking we had at Webster Vienna. Even though Marion Mansberger could not be there to give her presentation, I was happy to give a short one to our class. Hopefully, it was informative to everyone.

I also feel fortunate to have briefly met Dr. Weeks, who gave a talk about human trafficking and the University’s symposium on the topic with the UN. I plan to contact him regarding his work in the area of human trafficking research, and for any resources he knows of that can inform my own research for this class. Also, I am a bit envious of the access the students at the Vienna campus have to the UN. It would be very exciting to be a student at Webster Vienna, and organize talks at the UN headquarters. Just the same, I feel privileged to be part of our class because of the access I’ve gained to the people and places we’ve visited during this course.

To see the UN.GIFT write-up of the symposium, please go to:

http://www.ungift.org/ungift/en/stories/university-students-learn-about-human-trafficking-at-united-nations-in-vienna.html

Day Two: Tuesday, 8 June 2010

Visiting OPEC wasn’t as informative as I thought it would be. The speaker was welcoming to our group, however, and her discussion was thought provoking. I was left with more questions than answers about OPEC’s ethical stance on issues related to the oil industry’s impact on the global economy, the environment, and peak oil.

My biggest concern with our meeting was how the speaker kept saying that OPEC has nothing to do with the price of oil, and can’t influence it. Instead, according to her, the governments of the oil importing countries are responsible for the price of gas from crude oil. While the governments are, in part, responsible, it is of course ridiculous to say that OPEC doesn’t have an effect on gas prices, no matter how large or small a percentage of the price. During the embargo of 1973, gas prices soared because of OPEC’s actions. After the embargo ended, OPEC then chose to increase oil prices by 10% according to Wikipedia. Obviously, OPEC can take direct action in influencing the price of oil in any way it chooses.

My second concern with our meeting was the claim that there are 300 years worth of oil reserves existing in the OPEC countries alone. If it’s true, why is there so much talk in the scientific community about peak oil and an upcoming oil crisis? Somehow, I get the feeling that the statistics presented to the public from OPEC may be slanted in their favor.

Finally, though OPEC is clear that their mission is hands-off when it comes to environmental issues, such as oil spills, I feel that there is a moral responsibility to humanity and the earth that must be met by oil producers. Without an ethical stance that supports the utmost care and attention to providing “clean oil,” the world will continue to struggle with exponentially increasing rates of pollution. With great power comes great responsibility, and it falls upon the OPEC countries to meet that responsibility through ethical decisions related to our environment.

Day One: Monday, 7 June 2010

Today’s visit to the UN broadened my perspective on the issues related to the Vienna headquarters. What was most interesting to me was how closely UN Vienna is associated with the UNODC. This correlates with my topic of human trafficking because the international protocol for dealing with trafficking criminals and aiding victims falls under the UNODC.

It is currently an ongoing issue, and a growing concern, that criminal activity related to human trafficking is increasing rapidly all over the world, yet there is a struggle getting all countries to ratify the most recent international protocol against trafficking. The protocol to “prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons” was issued in 2003 by the UNODC. Applicable to this course, the Czech Republic has not ratified the protocol. Austria has.

To view the protocol, along with the signatures, please see:

http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XVIII-12-a&chapter=18&lang=en

Also with our visit, it became more clear to me how Webster Vienna is at a great advantage being so close to this UN headquarters. The symposium on human trafficking that was organized by Webster Vienna is testament to this. I feel very lucky to be a student at a school with such great resources.

Anthony Bourdain in Prague

Why is Recycling So Popular in Austria?

I just finished reading through an OECD Environmental Performance Review of Austria that was produced during 2001-2002. It essentially was a report card for how the country was doing and gave 44 recommendations on how they could become even stronger in the environmental record.

During our time in Austria it was brought up that Austrians are very aware of recycling. In Vienna when the excess trash gets thrown away it gets taken to the incinerator (which has a scrubber) and that powers the majority of the city.

The OECD report states that in 1989 Austria levied a tax on the use of landfills which created a huge disincentive for individuals, especially businesses to dump trash. It might have taken upwards of 20 years to have achieved its full benefit but it was certainly a wise decision. In restaurants we were served water in glass bottles. While that might have been simply the best option to buy, I have a hunch it was a glass bottle because its easier to recycle, rather then plastic, which in the United States and other places we often enjoy.

Source: http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/6/50/19631516.pdf

Thoughts on Service and Minimum Wage in Europe

One of the questions that always comes up when traveling is the custom of tipping in the country that you are visiting. In the US wait staff rely heavily on tipping, with tips often ranging from 10% to 25% depending on the level of service. Many Americans in Europe are either unsure of how much to tip or follow guidelines that they would follow back home. The theory behind different tipping guidelines is that US workers make next to nothing and therefore rely on tips for their income and in turn provide a high level of service in an attempt to keep the customer happy. In Europe it is believed that wait staff receive a livable wage and do not rely on tips therefore tipping as a custom reflects this premise. Tips in Europe are often rounded up rather then based on a percentage of the total bill with the thought being the tip is essentially already factored into the bill by the price being charged for the meal.

So the question is what was my experience with service in restaurants, cafes, etc. versus similar venues in the US. I had heard stories before I left that service can be extremely poor in Europe because tips are not something that wait staff expects. First, I would have to say service in the US can be hit or miss with a new restaurant and often part of the decision making process about where to dine out is based upon past experience or word of mouth. Overall, if you consider these two factors you generally will have a positive experience in the US. My experience with service in Europe was all over the board ranging from establishments that I would have preferred to walk out of all the way to places that I will remember in a positive way for a long time. I think some of the big contributing factors were the degree of professionalism of the server in other words this was not just a temporary job until the next opportunity came along coupled with the likelihood that you might return as a customer. Both of these factors are present in the US as well, so to answer the question my experience was that if you went to a venue in Europe without a sense of professionalism and the belief that you were a tourist who was not likely to return you are pretty much assured that your service will reflect this because the incentive of the tip has been taking out of the equation.

I did some research to find out exactly how much minimum wage is in Europe and I was surprised that there is no set guideline for Europe to follow and even more surprising was the fact that there is a huge disparity between European countries. Luxembourg provides one of the highest minimum wages in Europe at approximately $13. an hour versus $7.75 an hour in Austria, $2.50 an hour in The Czech Republic, $2.37 an hour in Slovakia respectively. This is a fairly significant range of minimum income rates across different EU members and I think it would be difficult to provide an argument that these are livable wages.

Returning to the subject of waitstaff in Europe clearly many employees are making well above the respective countries minimum wage however this may explain service at some establishments where the employees are making minimum wage and the opportunity to make extra income based on tips has been removed by custom. Look out and avoid these types of establishments because there is little incentive to keep the customer happy. The next question is why is there no standard minimum wage within the European Union? The link provided below lists the range of minimum wages across a variety of EU members. I have also listed a wikipedia site that lists by country what minimum wage is in a global comparison.


http://www.fedee.com/minwage.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_minimum_wages_by_country

IOM Plays Role In Stopping Sex Trafficking During World Cup

IOM has backed the campaign and helped support the collaborative organization created to stop trafficking while the World Cup is being held in South Africa.

The following is a press release from IOM's website

"An international campaign aimed at preventing trafficking in persons during next month's football World Cup in South Africa was launched last week in Italy, Brazil, Botswana and South Africa. The campaign, which is initiated by Talitha Kum, an international network of religious sisters from 19 different congregations, is backed by IOM and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG by its Italian acronym). As part of the campaign, Public Service Announcements will be broadcast on radio and TV channels and flyers featuring IOM's Helpline number 0800555999, will be distributed in high visibility areas and transport hubs such as bus stations and at the Johannesburg international airport. Participants will also seek to address community leaders to enlist their support in raising awareness among football supporters in partnership with the Southern African Catholic Bishop's Conference (SACBC). "While there is no empirical evidence linking an increase of trafficking in persons to such events, the Talitha Kum campaign aims to take advantage of the momentum built around the World Cup to increase awareness of trafficking and the need for adequate protection mechanisms," says IOM's Stefano Volpicelli. IOM's work in South Africa aims to address such gaps, particularly as they relate to the most vulnerable, specifically women between the ages of 16-30 who come from broken homes, single parents, the unemployed and destitute, including men who are trafficked for forced labour. "Talitha Kum will allow for coordinated prevention activities and the creation of necessary linkages between religious personnel, community leaders and the public at large," says Stefano Volpicelli. Since 2004, IOM and UISG, with funding from the US Department of State – Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), have provided training on prevention and assistance to victims of human trafficking to more than 500 religious personnel in 48 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. An IOM study on human trafficking and the 2006 World Cup in Germany found inconclusive evidence of an increase in trafficking for sexual exploitation. It recommended that future event organizers and host cities widen the scope of counter-trafficking activities to include forced labour, particularly within the construction industry, criminal activities and begging, and advocate more strongly for adequate reporting by the media on the true nature and scope of human trafficking. " Source: http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/media/press-briefing-notes/pbnEU/cache/offonce?entryId=27388

UNODC-Vienna Report on Global Organized Crime

UNODC report released on June 17, 2010 with several interesting findings. Organized crime syndicates increased their impact and influence globally posing a greater security threat . Europe remains the largest market for heroin in the world with Russia being the number one consumer of over 70 tons of heroin. Illicit firearms trafficking estimated between 170-320 million dollars in revenue for organized crime. 3 billion in revenue from human trafficking of more then 140,000 persons in Europe alone (over 6.6 billion dollars in revenue globally for smugglers). Wordwide the two main routes for smuggling migrants were Latin America to the US and Africa to Europe.


http://www.unis.unvienna.org/unis/pressrels/2010/uniscp618.html

Human Trafficking Gang Goes To Trial

Article on human trafficking involving several European countries in an attempt to shut down one network. Twenty four gang members rolled up in Austria, Hungary, and Romania in an example of cooperation between governments.


http://www.austriantimes.at/news/General_News/2010-06-18/24341/Human_traffickers_on_trial_in_Romania

Overall Reflections

As a global citizen I must admit that I have not been a very good one. Never before have I been challenged with so many thoughts that really went beyond the U.S. Borders. Honestly, I thought these issues were just interesting but not to a point where I would consider myself being prompted to action. This trip really opened my eyes to so many things that I really never considered. I'll start with Immigration policies.
When visiting the IOM (International Organization for Migration) I was surprised with all the issues that have occurred with elimination of borders. Many people have left their country in search of work only to find themselves being exploited economically and sexually. I was impressed with the services this organization offered in regards to helping people return to their homes. The director of this organization was very impressive and passionate.
I was also struck with an interesting concept. That concept is that the U.S. does not do everything thing in the best manner. A prime example is our use of the world's resources. I was informed while at OPEC that we are only about 20% percent of the population but yet we consume 80% of the world's resources. Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed at those statistics. As Americans, at times I think that we think that we can do whatever we want with very little thought as to the global impact.
The visit to the UN also raised some thoughts about the use of atomic energy. different perspectives are always challenging to incorporate into you thinking process.
I have definitely been challenged in my thinking process and my awareness of global issues have definitely increased as a result of this trip.

Run In With Royalty

The museums, palaces, and culture in Vienna were absolutely breath taking. I don't think that I have ever been in a palace before. The tour of the Vienna Hofburg apartments was probably my favorite place. The Hapsburgs were definitely living large!! Their apartments were unbelievable. The sad history of the queen was intriguing. I'm not even sure if I can put it all into words but to have all that wealth and to be so unhappy was very difficult to understand. Well, at least from my perspective. While viewing the articles that royalty used I was in awe. From the elaborate dinner settings to the "chamber pots" that were by our standards quite nice. Maybe I should have been born a royal.

Interesting Reminders

These were two of my first monument ever seen in Vienna. I thought initially what nice gift from the Russians. But after being explained the history I was in shock. Here it is in a nutshell. Vienna was occupied by Germany. The Russians credit themselves with liberating the country after raping and pillaging Vienna. Hmmm... I'm not sure if I would want that constant reminder.

Honesty

An interesting thought came to mind while abroad. Americans are dishonest. The public transportation in Vienna brought me to this conclusion. All you have to do is buy a ticket and ride. There are no gates. No guards. No monitoring at all. All you have to do is get on and ride. That would never work here in the states. Trust..what a novel idea.

Foreign Languages (My Soapbox Moment)

I have to say this or else I will explode. As a global citizen, I and the rest of Americans must do better with languages. I have to say that I was impressed that in the Czech Republic and in Vienna I ran into very few people who could not speak English. However, I was a bit troubled that we as American have no desire or interest in learning another language. It certainly is not stressed. I'm sure that that particular mindset will be to our detriment. While in France, if I uttered a word of English, the people automatically switched to English. While in Vienna, if I were greeted in German and did not respond accordingly, the person automatically switched to English. When in Prague however, on several occasions, people actually tried to communicate with me in two other languages and then they eventually got to English. I was impressed and a bit embarrassed. I was thinking to myself "Forgive me for being the self-centered American who expects everyone to cater to me". I actually felt a bit dumb. Thank God for Professor Hanssen who is not like most Americans and actually took and interest in languages. She was quite a help while abroad in the area of languages. I did however feel good while in France. All of my years of taking French paid off and I was able to actually to communicate. So, to sum my ranting and raving up, we as Americans must do better or else as globalization continues to come more prevalent we will be left behind!!

First Impressions Are Lasting Ones

Racism in Vienna is alive. It’s unfortunate that is was my first experience. The class was staying at a hotel at a very nice location in Vienna. Upon my arrival, which was a late one I was struck with a very odd warning by the night clerk. The night clerk was very friendly and checked me in promptly. As I turned to go to my room he got my attention and said “I need to give you a warning.” I was a bit alarmed but I decided that I should listen intently. He began to advise me that the train station directly across from the hotel was full of drug activity and that I should be very careful when catching the train. I thought to myself hmmm….I would not have thought that. But it gets more interesting. He then said that I could possibly be arrested. I could figure out initially why I would get arrested . He then began to explain that there were very few black people in Vienna. (I kinda noticed that already). Secondly, he said that the economy in Vienna is not as strong for some ( there was an obvious innuendo) and that people resort to dealing drugs as a means of survival. He then advised that the majority of the drug dealers in the park are Nigerians. They sell crack, cocaine, and other drugs to those who are trying to catch the train. The problem was so bad the policeman have targeted all Nigerians in the park. He advised that there was a good chance that I would be “seized” for questioning if I lingered in the park/train station to long. He then advised that it may be hard to explain to the cops that I really was innocent. The next words then struck me like a dagger. He said, “Your only crime will be that you are black.” Welcome to Vienna!!

Charles De Gaulle

Day 1

This was my first trip to Europe and already I don't like foreign travel. Well, maybe it was a bit to soon to say that. I arrived at the airport in France from Dulles International in DC ready to catch my flight to Vienna. This was a disaster. Little did I know that I would have to literally leave an unsecure area only to go back through security again. This was not a smooth process at all. The lines were extremely long and everyone was grouchy. Everyone was being stopped for additional checking and as a result I missed my connection. So, I had to spend the entire day (8 hours) in Paris until my flight which was not guaranteed. Not to mention the time difference was affecting me already. My body thought it was 4am and in actuality it was 10 am in France. The trip was beginning wrong already. At least I got a free meal and had chance to practice my French. Hello Paris!!

Globalization Reflection

One of the views about globalization that I had prior to my visit to Austria and The Czech Republic was that globalization was a new phenomena sweeping across the globe. My research and experience however have led to a much different conclusion. While technology and ease of travel to a large degree have made conditions much more favorable for globalization, globalization especially in Europe has been going on for a long time and is really nothing new. For example, The Habsburg Empire covered more then 50 million people at its apex and covered halfway around the world all the way to Mexico. Maximilian I was self appointed Emperor of Mexico and the brother of long time Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef (born in the Schonbrunn Palace Vienna, Austria). While the people of Mexico were not so receptive to Maximilian I who was eventually executed, it shows the extent of the Habsburgs reach.

Europe has a much longer history of integration with capital cities often only a few hours travel. An example of people moving across European borders is that of music composers moving from one city to to next like Mozart or Beethoven. Architecture is another historical example of ideas flowing across Europe. Baroque, Art Nouveau, Gothic, Romanesque and Neoclassical styles are present in Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and many other European capital cities. Clearly ideas and ways of thinking even globalization has been taking place for many years.

I think in the US with ocean barriers and long borders it is easier to have a distorted perspective about globalization or even a sense of isolation that has started to change due to technological changes, but my perspective about globalization has definetly been transformed to include a much longer historical view.

Video Clip: 2010 Sommernachtskonzert Schönbrunn

From our cheap seats (free) at the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, here is a video clip of Josef Strauß' "Auf Ferienreise" Polka schnell, op. 133 performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the Summer Night Concert (Sommernachtskonzert) on June 8, 2010 (Vienna, Austria). There were over 100,000 in attendance. The Concert was broadcast to 60 countries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYfhKYyj6R0

The Story Of The Lions And The Chain Bridge

The story lions and the Chain Bridge begins with a celebration to unveil two massive lion sculptures that marked the bridgehead of the historic Chain Bridge in Budapest, Hungary. The sculptor Marschalko Janos was commissioned to create a grand work of art in keeping with the grand design of the bridge. On the day of the ceremony the story goes Janos proudly stood by his impressive creations and as the crowds assembled a young boy looked up and remarked that the lions were missing their tongues. The artist became so upset that he had overlooked such a key feature of his sculpture that he jumped off the bridge into The Danube River.


The moral of the story to me is that sometimes we get so caught up in the big issues of the day we overlook what can be obvious details and often just taking a look from a different angle can provide important insights. We all have issues that are important to us and we are passionate about, I think Global Issues: Austria & Czech Republic for me provided a different approach and a different angle. First and foremost just being in the different countries provided a unique perspective that only travel can provide. I think the format of the program worked well also with a research component, a travel component, and a reflection and comprehensive component. Also a unique feature of the program was the sharing of ideas through various mechanisms such as the blog, case reports, wiki, etc. The point I am making is that all of these diferent devices within the program assist us in not becoming the next Marschalko Janos standing by what we believe are great achievements whether they are arguements or ideas only to have missed the truely important details that make up the big picture.


One of the questions that was asked at our wrap up and debrief meeting was what was the impact of the experience on us and at the time I answered it was difficult to say, only time and reflection will provide the answer to the question. My answer came early one morning lying in bed a few days ago when I was half dreaming half going over issues important to me. My idea was that I would like to create an NGO that focuses on wildlife conservation and habitat destruction with my own unique perspective. An organization that will help preserve some of the great things about our planet, not only available for the next generation but also for many generations to come. I am not sure we are on the right path as a country or as a planet at the present time. I do not know how long it will take to launch this dream into a reality but I do know this is something I would very much like to dedicate my energy and enthusiasm towards for many years to come.

Troubling Reflection

Something that has stayed with me over the days since our visit to Vienna and Judenplatz was something that I observed that has caused me great concern. 65,000 Austrian's lost their lives in the Holocaust of World War II and the Holocaust-Denkmal is a memorial designed by British sculptor Rachel Whitebread to remember the lives and stories of their lives that will never be told. The memorial is in the shape of books on shelves with the bindings facing inwards and therefore can not be read much like the lives of the Austrians who were killed during the Holocaust. Clearly, Rachel Whitebread put a tremendous amount of thought and effort into creating a way honor the victims.

To me this appeared to be sacred ground in Austria much like a visit to Arlington National Cemetary or the "Vietnam Memorial Wall" would be in the US. The Holocaust-Denkmal would cause most people great concern and pause for reflection but what was especially troubling for me was to see 5 young teenage boys most likely Austrian's skatebording right on top of the memorial and indeed right across the "Star of David." To make things worse as they left, their empty plastic soda bottles were discarded on the memorial. I have to admit I almost came unglued with anger.

And so my reflection starts with the proposition that most likely two factors were relevent to what occurred and neither choice is a good one. First, were the teens completely unaware of where they were meaning that the tragic events revolving around the memorial had never been told to them? Was this a part of Austrian history and world history that they did not know? Did they not feel a connection? One of the most important aspects of studying history is to learn from the past often from time periods that far predate our own existence so that we do not repeat past errors and in the case of the Holocaust one of the darkest events in history. The second choice is that the teens knew exactly where they were and intentionally acted with disregard for the memorial.

Did anyone else observe this? Does anyone else have a theory that I may have overlooked? My conclusion at this point is that both factors probably played into their thought process, that most likely they knew where they were but lack an understanding of the tragedy which I guess is why this observence was so troubling to me. It means that a generation of Austrian's may be growing up not knowing or understanding their own history and failing to learn from the past. I realize this was the behavior of five individuals and it is difficult to draw conclusions from five people, but still I am left with a great deal of concern.

Sametové Revoluce and Prague's role in the Globalized World

While the entire trip was an incredible learning experience for me, I particularly paid close attention to my experience in Prague. As an undergraduate I studied American History and learned quite a bit about the Cold War and it was quite unbelievable to be in a a country that was ruled by the Soviet Union not so long ago. This point was brought up a few times while we spent time in the city.

The Velvet Revolution struck a chord with me and my experience as an American citizen in a foreign country. While I very much understood and loved my experience in Vienna, its difficult to grasp the importance of the Hapsburg empire on the culture today. Walking through Prague you can still see and even touch buildings that were built by the Communist rulers. The Velvet Revolution was a profound turning point for the country and for the people who lived there and what is even more astounding is that it was done peacefully. American history has driven by wars in its foreign policy and while it at times has been needed. It is interesting too see a whole country who can move from a harsh leadership to their own with relative peace.

In Prague there are multi-national companies such as Dell, T-Mobile, Sun-Microsystems and Hollywood films reach the streets, along with American music in the vehicles on the street. Clearly in the short time since the Velvet Revolution Prague has become globalized from a cultural perspective. While I was there I saw Western culture even though McDonalds was serving food that suited the local interest. Most importantly though Prague has kept great care of its cultural treasures from Saint Nicholas' Church to Saint Vitas Cathedral. Charles Bridge though has become overrun by tourism and the baroque style statues that are on the bridge show great wear from the incredible air pollution in the city.

I think of Prague as a sort of budding country, like the small American nation after the revolutionary war when they gained independence. They were not the most wealthy but they were doing all the right things to go onto be a great power. Prague is an impressive place based on its preservation of history, its economy and the ability to balance it well.

the freedom of the human spirit in a free society

In reflecting back on the experience gained through the subsequent study abroad trip I am particularly struck by the level of individual freedom one feels while traversing the Viennese society. With a sense of self-awareness and heighten observatory skills I began to take notice of what we, here in America value so much but today do not truly realize: the freedom of the human spirit in a free society. Interestingly enough both Austria and the United States share a westernized ideology and society, in fact the American political rhetoric is abidingly characterized by the ideals of individual freedom, individual rights, freedom of movement and self-reliance. However, for me it was only in a foreign country that I truly felt the notions of what it meant to engage a society seemingly uninhibited by the global threat of terrorism and lacking the visible and uncomfortable layers of security mechanisms found in America today. To be accurate Austria is a neutral country and the United States is on the opposite end of that spectrum. However, it is still interesting to realize what a conundrum the American society is given its self described characterization as the beacon of individual liberty even in this post 9/11 society when compared to other nations.
For example, in visiting the Schonburg palace, for the Vienna Philharmonic performance there was no entry point into the grounds resembling a U.S. airport nor was there an intense security detail decked out with dogs, guns and other cool gadgets designed partly to be a show of force and put back in line an unruly citizen or protester. This place, not like any other venue in the city, is a national icon of Vienna’s historically preserved beauty and the symbol of the former Austrian Empire’s reach and power. One can contrast this with an equally iconic symbol of American power such as the Library of Congress (located across for the U.S. Capitol and is the World’s largest library with millions of entries), were entering and exiting its premises is much like an airport, access to the library itself is granted after issuance of a special ID card in which one must fill out a form resembling a job application and prior to actually getting to the library one must relinquish any bags or coats.
Another instance of Austria’s freedom of movement and un-inhibitated access to public facilities came when visiting the Sigmund Freud Museum. Not only were there no security checks but patrons were allowed to place the unchecked belongings into a closet. This process, much like the process of giving your hotel room key to the hotel Furstenholf receptionist in which anyone could ask for your key by simply stating the room number absent of any identification check, speaks to the mindset of a people not concerned with the next terrorist attack targeted against westernized cultures. In contrasting this process with the Washington D.C.’s “Newsuem” (a journalism museum) who’s entry is like an airport with armed guards. Thus, the idea of leaving a backpack anywhere on the premise of the museum (and another public or private facility) is not tolerated, it becomes evident that America is in a new era of security and openness.
In conclusion, Americans unlike the Austrians, occupy a very different global position and thus the security measures to maintain our national security is therefore different for good and obvious reasons. Nonetheless it was extremely interesting to observe how a country other than the United States conducted their daily affairs in regard to the increased global security threat.

Summer Night Concert Schönbrunn 2010 (Vienna)

[ Photo by Reuters. Available at: http://bit.ly/c03gkv ]

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CDs and DVDs of the Vienna Philharmonic Sommernachtkoncert (Summer Night Concert) on June 8, 2010, in the Schönbrunn Palace are available for sale at the Vienna Philharmonic's e-shop: https://shop.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/magazin/new

• CLICK HERE for Photo Gallery of the Vienna Philharmonic Sommernachtkoncert (Summer Night Concert) on June 8, 2010, in the Schönbrunn Palace
  
• CLICK HERE for other photos on the SINA News Service website.
  
• The Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2009 was broadcast on PBS in the USA. See: http://to.pbs.org/rw91E. The 2010 Concert will also be broadcast in the USA on the PBS Great Performances Series on August 25, 2010. See: http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/great-performances/episode-guide/EP00017479
  
  Preview video from PBS.org: http://to.pbs.org/rw91E
  

2010 Trafficking in Persons Report Released

Today the United States Department of State released its annual report on the state of global trafficking. It is a detailed look at what countries have been doing on the issue. Where have they improved, where have they fallen, and recommendations.

In the Czech Republic over the last year officials have increased the penalty for trafficking from 15 to 16 years. They have investigated over 40 incidents of trafficking which is significantly down from the previous year. In 2009 the Czech government provided $456,000 to help fight anti-trafficking in the country.

In the report there is also a reference to IOM which we visited in our travels. The report states

that "the database which IOM maintains shows among other things that males are more likely than females to be trafficked and traffickers are changing their methods."

The report is a rich source of information on the issue of trafficking, and on a side note, this is the first year that the United States has included itself in the report, with the intent to show the issue effects all countries.

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/142979.pdf

Dancing Office Building in Prague

On the way to the airport Saturday morning, our driver was pointing out some of the interesting spots in the city that we had not seen. One of them was Prague's 'Dancing Building." While I only got to catch a brief glimpse I hope everyone else got to see this unique architecture as they left.

Picture Source: http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/dancing-house-1.jpg

Bent Vienna

Am I lucky to have a camera that creates such images on its own, or not? You be the Judge.

Here are an assembly of warped pictures of Vienna's otherwise beautiful streets. Enjoy!

Eastern European Financial Woes

Hungary has been hit hard by the European financial problems and recently, a member of the newly installed government warned that Hungary could face similiar problems that Greece is experiencing or even default on its debt. The situation has been created by an unemployment rate at 11.4% along with an economy that shrank by 6.3% coupled with high budget deficits.

The currency of Hungary is the Forint (HUF) and I received 202 HUF for each dollar that I exchanged. Incidently, I was very careful with the 10,000 HUF bill I received at the exchange window. Hungary for several years has been close to joining the Euro Zone however it still does not meet the criteria neccessary to become integrated. I have to say after exchanging four types of different currency in less then 10 days, (and trying to figure out budgeting and expenses in four currencies) I think the Euro Zone is a good thing. Hungary plans to accomplish integration in the Eurozone over the next couple of years, assuming the Euro survives the current turmoil. This would possibly be a huge advantage for Hungary to attract foreign investment. When comparing the economic conditions in Austria, The Czech Republic, and Hungary it is apparent while traveling around Budapest that conditions lag behind both Austria and The Czech Republic, however I believe there remains tremendous potential within the capital city.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/world/europe/05hungrary.html?ref=hungary

Greetings From The Austro-Hungarian Empires Other Capital City Budapest, Hungary!

From 1867 until 1918 Budapest, Hungary shared power with Vienna, Austria in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city is actually two cities Buda and Pest seperated by the Danube River and were not permanently connected until the construction of the Chain Bridge.

Budapest is also refered to as the "Paris of the east" and is well light at night adding to its historic charm. The photograph (above) is taken from the Pest side with the Buda Hills (Castle District) in the distance. The green public area in the foreground is known as Roosevelt Square with the well light bridge being the Chain Bridge over the Danube River. To the left of the photograph is the Royal Palace and fanicular that takes visitors up the steep hill. The fortress compound was constructed when Turkish forces seiged the city destroying much of its infrastructure. To the right of the picture is the Matthias Church originally constructed in 1015 although it underwent major renovations in the 1800's. The church is significant to the Habsburg Empire because it was the site of the last coronation of a Habsburg Ruler Charles IV who came to power in 1916. The monarchy was shortlived however as the Empire along with Germany suffered defeat in World War I and the prevailing side including US President Woodrow Wilson favored the break up of the Empire and the creation of nation states to create a more stable Europe.

The Charles Bridge & Global Tourism

Traveling along Charles Bridge I was struck by the magnificent beauty of the structure. It has stood the test of time for centuries. What is perhaps even more impressive is Prague has been able to integrate almost seamlessly an "old world" meaning important structures and traditions with a "new world." Shops and street vendors fill the area surrounding Charles Bridge and even Charles Bridge itself bringing commerce to the city.

However there is one downside to bringing a global tourism market to Charles Bridge. That is environmental wear and tear. It was evident on the on the stone statues that peer out across the water. From the air pollution in the city they are begging to get a charcoal look to them. My hope is that Prague can continue to strike the precious balance between protecting the traditions and what is important for them (Charles Bridge) and continue to find ways to bring commerce to the city.

The Danube and Sustainable Development/Environmental Degradation

One of the areas that I have realized is an important issue regarding sustainable development in Austria and many other EU countries is the vital link to the Danube River. The river is a focal point for transportation, recreation, commerce, energy, and a source of vitality within many urban centers across its 2,850 kilometer flow. The Danube runs through 10 European countries including Austria, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova. As an example of its importance in Vienna, Austria the Danube takes on four forms, the canal section, the new section, the old section, and a lake section all seperate parts of the river that serve different functions. Below is an article detailing a EU strategy organized in Vienna to promote sustainable development within the Danube River area.

WWF MAP OF DANUBE

http://wwf.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/austria/?190222/EU-Danube-Strategy-to-promote-basin-wide-development

Charles Bridge/Prociutto De Praga/Hot Air Balloons Over Prague

Today I walked around the city and visited many of the architectural icons of Prague. Including the Powder Tower, Charles Bridge, and many historic churches. Along the way I snacked on Prociutto De Praga, a generous portion of ham right of the fire, which gave it a wonderful flavor.

My time in Prague is coming to an end, it is definetly a city I would love to see again. I was surprised how well preserved the city has remained despite the fact that Prague has become a magnet city, attracting people from all over eastren Europe. While the population of 1.2 million is growing within its 490 square kilometer area, many of its historic areas remain untouched by development. Green areas and parks are worked into the cities design and just a short drive outside the city many farms flourish.

Prague Museum Night 2010

Tonight (June 12, 2010, 7 pm - 1 am) is the seventh annual Prague Museum Night in which museums, galleries, monuments and other sites are open free of charge to the public -- residents and visitors alike. In all there will be 28 institutions participating in 2010 providing access to over 50 sites throughout Prague. Special bus transportation to the various museums and galleries will also be provided free of charge throughout the evening.

More information: http://prazskamuzejninoc.cz/2010/index.php?l=en

Czech Republic geographical terms

Moravia-A region of the Czech Republic located to the southeastern portion of the country. Takes its name from the Morav river.

Bohemia- The traditional homeland of the Czech people during the period of time the country was known as Czechoslovakia. Located in the center to southern portion of the Czech Republic.

Sudetenland- An area no longer found on Czech maps. Used by Hitler as a pretext to invasion the of Czechoslovakia after the Munich Agreement during World War II. The agreement called for Germany to end all further claims of territorial expansion with the assurance that Italy, France, and The United Kingdom would not go to war over the issue. The area was a mountainous region located in the northwest section of the country.

International Organization for Migration-IOM visit

Today our study group visited the IOM in Prague, Czech Republic. Among the many things that impressed me was the candor of the representitives of the IOM, there were no fancy brochures or talking points, just straight forward dialogue about what the IOM looks to accomplish in its Prague location. I was also suprised by one of the major issues with migration in the Czech Republic is the desire for many people to return or repatriate to their former homelands however with insuficient resources to return they essetially are stranded. In the US it is easy to think of migration as an issue where people come to the US for work and want to remain. This is just one area where the IOM can provide assistance.

I was also impressed by what has transpired in terms of freedom in the Czech Republic regarding migration. Twenty years ago there were fences that if you tried to cross you might be shot. Today there are no fences and almost no indication you have moved across a national border, not even a stamp in your passport.

To view IOM link:

http://www.iom.cz/english/index.shtml

Vivaldi Orchestra Prague/World Cup

Tonight I attended a concert in the St. Nicholas Church with Yvona Skvarova-Mezzosoprano of the National Theater. The Orchestra performed works from Handel, Dvorak, Bach, Mozart, and Vivaldi and it was easy to think of the fact that many of these musicians played in Prague and Vienna and here I was listening to their music in a setting so close to their roots. I also thought of the fact that all of the performers had most likely lived under Soviet control and realized this type of function so open to all of the people of the world would never have been possible 20 years ago.

In complete contrast when I walked out of the St. Nicholas Church the World Cup was being broadcast live (match between France and Uruguay) on a huge screen TV in the middle of the Old Town Square with thousands of screaming fans filling the square. It was quite an event even though The Czech Republic did not qualify for the world tournament. There were beer tents lined up serving the original Budweiser or Budvar and hams smoking over fire pits. It seemed as though this was a party among Czech's and many other nationalities. I can only imagine what tomorrow nights game will be like between the UK and the US.

Pres. Obama Refers to Tomas Masaryk

Photo: Czech president Tomas Masaryk (1918-1935) - a monument in Hradcany, Prague.
Credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Masaryk.jpg

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U.S. President Barack Obama refers to this monument to Tomas Masaryk in his speech at Hradcany Square, in Prague on April 1, 2009. He refers to Masaryk:

"... I've learned over many years to appreciate the good company and the good humor of the Czech people in my hometown of Chicago. (Applause.) Behind me is a statue of a hero of the Czech people –- Tomas Masaryk. (Applause.) In 1918, after America had pledged its support for Czech independence, Masaryk spoke to a crowd in Chicago that was estimated to be over 100,000. I don't think I can match his record -- (laughter) -- but I am honored to follow his footsteps from Chicago to Prague. (Applause.)..." [From Transcript available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-barack-obama-prague-delivered ]

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Full video also available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/The-President-in-Prague

Greetings from Prague, Czech Republic!

Our study group arrived today in the Czech Republic driving by bus through many miles of green rolling landscape. The capital city escaped major damage from World War II and offers a vast array of historically significant buildings many dating back to the 12th century.

To the left of the photograph and well light is The Church of Our Lady Before Tyn in Old Town Prague. To the right in the distant background and well light is The Prague Castle a vast compound with several chuches and other significant buildings. The church in the middle/foreground is the St. Nicholas Church.

Empress in Volksgarten

Empress Cici monument stands proudly in the Volksgarten outside the Hofburg apartments. Yesterday we learned about the tragic story of Elizabeth. The battles she faced over depression to the assassination by an anarchist. The weapon still sits in the apartments today. The pearly white monument is a fitting tribute to her presence in the kingdom.

REFLECTIONS: Hitler at the Hofburg

Photo Credits: http://www.dradio.de/dlf/sendungen/dasfeature/1103123/bilder/image_main/

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Photo credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wien_Hofburg_Neue_Burg_Heldenplatz.jpg

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It is an eerie and chilling experience to visit the Hofburg Palace knowing that on March 15, 1938, Adolph Hitler spoke from the balcony of the Palace to proclaim the Anschluss or annexation of Austria into the Third Reich (Deutsches Reich).

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See also: http://globalissuesat-cz.blogspot.com/2010/06/hofburg-silberkammerkaiserappartements.html

"Mayerling"-at the Opera House, Vienna

"Mayerling" is the story of Crown Prince Rudolph and his demise told through ballet and music. The performance details the many sordid tales of the Habsburgs next in line to the throne. Mayerling is a hunting lodge in the Vienna Woods where the family retreated for recreation. Today, the Mayerling is a ballet that is seen around the world and has also been made into a movie which stars Omar Sharif. The performance I visited was among the best performances I have ever seen.

The Oper House itself is an historic structure which was partially destroyed in the later years of World War II. Interestingly the Staatsoper or Opera House was one of the first structures rebuilt following the war showing the cultural importance of the Staatsoper.

Hofburg-Silberkammer/Kaiserappartements

The Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna was the winter home for The Habsburg dynasty for more then six hundred years. The palace is one of the largest structures in Vienna with exibits showcasing the ruling families extensive silver, gold, and china serving collection. Among the thousands of pieces in the Silberkammer is a 30 meter gold ensemble which is somewhat mindboggling in its proportion.

Also open to the public are the Imperial Apartments displaying examples of what life was like for the Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth. Among the many rooms that have been restored are the Imperial sleeping chambers along with many works of art.

OPEC visit

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries was founded in 1960 by five original members Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia. It has since grown by seven members including Angola, Algeria, UAE, Ecuador, Libya, Nigeria, and Qatar. OPEC was in part formed to put the oil resources of its member states under the control of the respective national governments and not in the hands of large oil corporations.

The organization has been very successful at putting tremendous amounts of wealth into the member nations local economies. One example of this was a deal announced today with Airbus Industries to purchase 32 A380 the largest aircraft in the world by Emirates Air. The price per aircraft was not disclosed however if list price was paid for the A380's the deal would be worth a staggering 11.5 billion dollars. Two of the fastest growing airlines come from OPEC nations in an airline industry that has struggled to produce a profit.

http://www.bild.de/BILD/politik/wirtschaft/2010/06/08/ila-berlin-merkel-freut-sich-ueber/super-deal-fuer-airbus.html

This is just one of many examples of how the global playing field has been transformed in part due to the shift of profits from big oil companies into the national coffers. One of the interesting aspects of the visit and discussion session at OPEC was a message that OPEC wants to preserve oil reserves for future generations to come. It seemed as though little thought has been put into the pace at which the world is turning away from petroleum based fuels and while no countries economy will be eliminating fossil fuels completly in the near future that day will eventually come. Where will OPEC be when this day arrives?

Another interesting aspect of the OPEC visit was the reasoning behind OPEC's choice of Vienna, Austria as its home base. Austria was selected over Geneva, Swiztzerland in part due to substantial contributions and tax incentives by the Austrian Government. The fact that Austria is considered a neutral country and its central location played a part in OPEC's decision to locate its global headquarters in Vienna as well.

Volksgarten-The Folks Garden

Vienna is a very green city with lots of public places to relax and enjoy a peaceful place within the city limits. The Volksgarten is a place very popular with local Vienna residents and is known for its vast array of roses with a scent that can travel several blocks. I was amazed by the number of people who use the park to read a book, relax, or simply walk around its beautiful garden. The parks location is in the Northwest corner of the Innere Stadt accross the street from the Austrian Parliment. I think it was well planned to have the "peoples garden" so close to the center of Austria's Legislature and represents a connection to the people.

UN Vienna Visit

Today our group visited the United Nations Headquaters in Vienna, Austria which is the third largest of the four UN headquaters after New York City and Geneva, Switzerland respectively and just ahead of Nairobi, Kenya. The UNOV is the location for several important UN organizations most notably the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established in 1957 in part due to a speech "Atoms for peace"given by US President Eisenhower in 1953.

Another important organization located at UNOV is the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) established in 1997. The mandate of the UNODC is to assist member states in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism. UNODC persues real initiatives to fulfill its UN mandate. For example, UNODC launced a program known as "Alternative Development"

in six countries (Afganistan, Bolivia, Colombia, Lao, Myanmar, and Peru) to provide rural farmers with legal alternatives to such crops as marijuana, cocoa, popy, etc. The programs goal is to provide impoverished areas of the world with real economically sustainable crops.

Greetings from Vienna!

Well, we are finally here. This has been the first chance to give my first impressions of Vienna. I do not think I have been to a city that has so many great sights, look to the left, look to the right, look up, so many great things to see.

Yesterday I went for a long bike ride up to the Vienna Woods and vineyards to get rid of the jet lag and was rewared with a beautiful view of the city.

More posts to follow.

The Giant Wheels in Vienna & St. Louis

This video compares the Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Wheel) in Vienna (Austria), and the Giant Ferris Wheel at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri (USA).


URL=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRhoiWDYUW0

Putin lays wreaths at monument to Soviet heroes (Vienna)

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin laid wreaths at the monument to the Soviet heroes in the city center of Vienna during his visit in April 2010.



See: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-04/26/c_13266896.htm

Marking World Environment Day, UN sounds alarm on biodiversity

UN celebrates World Environment Day urging people to be aware of loss of habitat and biodiversity. WED on June 5, recognizes the importance of the millions of species that live on our planet and the vital role they play in our own existence.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=34919&Cr=biodiversity&Cr1=

Culture Shock: "Pack a washcloth" / "Buy a towel set"

I like the idea of staying at budget hotels or hostels, because it saves me money. It appeals to my sense of frugality; and a sense that I am also conserving on the earth's resources by not using high-end luxury soaps; or allowing the unnecessary daily laundering of the linen and towels.

But it is something of a culture shock when I arrive at a 3-star hotel in Vienna and there is no washcloth to use for showering. Or to see that it will cost a couple of US dollars a day to rent towels at a hostel in Prague.

Fortunately I did remember to pack a washcloth from home. I also remembered to pack a "travel clothesline" on which to line dry my own washcloth while I am out for the day.

I could have packed a bath towel so I would not need to rent a towel-set at the hostel too. But the bath towel takes up too much precious space in my compact "airline-carry-on only" luggage for the trip. I could probably buy a towel set for less than the cost of the rental over several days. Then I would leave the towel set when I checked out of the hostel ... They can add it to their fleet of rental towel sets!

Articles < Seismicity < Icelandic Meteorological office

Good link for anyone interested in the current status of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull (glacier volcano) there has not been much news since air travel resumed normal service. Found some conflicting info while looking at the issue from different sources. I will post the links and you can decide if its good news or bad news.

http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/articles/nr/1884

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_iceland_volcano

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/breaking/2nd_Iceland_volcano_issues_ominous_warning-95052314.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dk-matai/risk-of-katla-could-a-2nd_b_541755.html