Thoughts from a Viennese Cafe

Let me tell you about this picture . .

I imagine to most people it looks like delicious food although maybe not great photography or presentation.  To me, it was balm to a lost and intimidated soul.

I had just finished the group trip portion of my very first adventure to Europe, and I was left by myself in the city I had always dreamed of visiting, Vienna, Austria.  But instead of feeling like I was in a wonderful dream, I was depressed, lonely, and intimidated. Instead of going to the beautiful grounds of Schonbrunn Palace that afternoon, I had cried in my hotel room, having run out of guts and courage.  Eventually, however, I rallied and decided to redeem my visit with one more effort that evening.  Following a Rick Steve’s guidebook recommendation, I took the subway to a cafe with desserts and live piano music.

I walked into a space filled with light and gleaming surfaces with glitzy chandeliers hanging from high vaulted ceilings.  And an endless amount of delicious desserts on display.  I somehow made the impossible choice of picking just one dessert and ordering coffee.

And there, seated at a small table right by the piano, I sipped my Cafe Maria Theresia and let the strains of lighthearted melodies wash over me and restore my love of the city.  In that moment, in the middle of a Viennese cafe, I finally felt like I was welcomed and my heart could rest for a while.

Sometimes food is not just food . . .