Coffee and stuff

"Everybody thinks they have good taste and a sense of humor but they couldn't possibly all have good taste."

--Marie, When Harry Met Sally

There are times when I am wistful for Austria even still, especially when I read an article like this one and I have one hundred different memories flood my senses.

Nearly ten years later, there are some traditions to which I still adhere and one of them is drinking good coffee in a leisurely manner. I dare say it's not just about the coffee we drink, it's about the lifestyle we choose. One of the most endearing things about Austria was the way people knew how to slow down and enjoy themselves, and that was often done over a cup of coffee with their friends. I miss having the option of going to a street cafe or coffeehouse, they are nonexistent here where I live. I remember sitting on the edge of Hallstaettersee at a cafe, drinking fresh, hot coffee while the fog was being lifted off the lake by the morning sunshine, a light breeze wafting the steam from my cup towards me. I remember dropping in regularly at the Schirmbar for coffee and interesting conversations with its Czech owners, Ollie and Jana. I remember the darkly stained woods, heavy upholstery and decadent pastries in Viennese coffeehouses. I remember the rustle of newspapers and the aroma of espresso, the glass of water that came standard with the coffee on a silver tray. In all these memories, ultimately, it was about connecting, pausing, enjoying where you were at, at that particular moment.

Now that Austria is long in the past, I have had to learn how to make good coffee at home from whole beans, recently roasted and freshly ground. I use my French press, and I always have my glass of water nearby.


http://www.meinlcoffee.com/world-of-coffee/recipes/vienesse-classics.html

http://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/coffeehouses/in-the-old-city