Here I sit, in the middle of an unnamed park. It is a bit cold to
be sitting outside, but the sun on my face helps. I see two young men
playing football, a child playing in a puddle and groups of people scattered
over the hillside. There is a cafe right next to us where the
more responsible of us reside. Maybe in a bit, once my hands are
sufficiently cold, I will go find some lunch. But for now I am content to do
not much more than watch the time go by.
My thoughts stray to a small Viennese restaurant snuggled into a
back street. It took a bit of walking to find a nd my stomach is now as loud as
my thoughts. Soon a Gemuseschnitzel will grace the table in front of me. This
is some of the only traditional Austrian food that I can eat. It tastes as
fried and as good as I thought it would. Maybe this Austrian food isn't as bad
as I thought. There are only two other couples in the restaurant with me and
the waiter is impatient. He paces around as much of his small space he can
without being obvious. The inconsistency of eating Austrian food but
hearing American music is something that will always leave me with the feeling
of an un-itched scratch. I sneakily took a picture of my food, not wanting to
give myself away as a hopeless tourist. I am not sure it has worked, I have
caught both of the men who are working here looking at me. The waiter has found
something productive to do. He brings me a candle. Watching it burn is
soothing. I believe I will get the Apfelstrudel. When in Vienna, do as the
Viennese do and eat Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel! I have a while for my train
anyway. I will miss the food here. Sure, there are mass quantities of fried
meat, but I have managed to deal in America, here is not too much different.
But back home lacks dishes like my now favorite Gemuseschitzel and late night
Kebap runs. Spatzel will be a thing of the past along with cheap breads and
french cheeses.I suppose being healthy is a good trade off, but I know that
once I get home, that will be a paltry recompense An Apfelstrudel
comes this way, begging for attention. How could I let it pass by unattended?
it warms my mouth and soul as it goes down. What a wonderfully romantic dinner
I am having with myself over candlelight. I should have started doing this
earlier. Well, no time like the present. Going somewhere new you learn things
about yourself that you may have never realized before.
Walking through some of the Hapsburg's abandoned rooms, I come to
a room that strikes me as more beautiful than all the others. It has few
colors, mostly gold, and other than the chandeliers, is not very decorated. It
is long, almost a hallway. Windows break up the wall on the right side while
nearly floor to ceiling mirrors echo the windows. I walk through,
taking my time and letting my mind wander. Once I get to the end, I do not want
to leave yet, so I sit upon a stool with a window at my back. Looking straight
ahead I see me. I sit perfectly in the center of the mirror, with two white
marble statues that flank me. It is one of the most wordless feelings I have
had. But then the lady stands. While staring into my eyes, she walks out of the
frame. I follow quietly.
Hey! wait lady in the mirror! Come back! We want to hear more of your adventures!!!!!! We are now addicted to your writings and want more ;o)
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