Through the UC Davis program, I’ve already had a number of unique experiences that I am sure wouldn’t happen had I toured Vienna alone. Most of these unique experiences I am referring to usually include getting drunk off of remarkable (and mostly cheap) Austrian wine. Right before I came to Austria, I definitely became more of a wino, knowing to pair white wine with simple foods and that there was better wine out there than two buck chuck or, my personal former favorite, Franzia. This evolution of taste has served me well, as I can appreciate how freakin’ good this wine is.
Today, we found ourselves in the Klosterneuburg (sp??), an Augustinian monastery on the outskirts of Vienna. When I personally think of a monastery, the last thing I think of is alcohol, let alone wine. However, my preconceived notions of monasteries were challenged by the cannons of Klosterneuburg. And how!
We split up into groups when touring the monastery, and I was led by the illustrious, hilarious Ambrose (not sure how to technically refer to him, possibly cannon Ambrose?). Originally from Virginia, Ambrose moved to Vienna to become an Augustinian canon. He was extremely smart, finding the church in what he claims was a search for truth and honesty in life. While we waited for the other group, Ambrose spoke to us about his journey. It had the tones of a sermon, but give the guy a break, he’s studying to be a priest, so of course it’s gonna get preachy. As a twenty something on my own existential journey (hello randomly going to Vienna the summer after my graduation), I could certainly identify with Ambrose. While our beliefs are stark in contrast, I emotionally and intellectually understood Ambrose. There is something really cool about being able to identify with someone who has chosen a path extremely different than your own.
And obviously, over a good glass of wine, everyone gets down to the same level. Ambrose and other canon whose name escapes me currently sat down with us at dinner, drinking and even smoking cigarettes! Although I wasn’t an active participant, some of my fellow classmates and Ambrose got into an informed debate on religion and politics. It freaked me out because I found myself almost agreeing with some of what Ambrose said. I’m sure it’s just because he is an excellent debater, I don’t think after said debate I’ll be leaving my liberal values in the dust. I thought his argument was compelling because I have gotten into a few religious debates in my life with Christians and Catholics, and most of the time, these debates have felt more emotional than intellectual. Ambrose’s views contradicted mine, but I understood his brain. Where I have looked for answers to my own existential crises in literature and art, he’s found these answers in religion. I can respect that. His passion for the Catholic church impressed me, and I hope I can find something in my life that I care about that much.
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