Thursday 19 November 2009

Vienna By Night


Nighthawks
Starbucks
Subway Station
Karlsplatz

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful. And it pairs nicely with my post, too.

    Ah, Starbucks. Ours in Dublin, OH has the same light fixtures, only in orange. :^)

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  2. Well Merisi, I am a bit alarmed to see this photo. How is it possible that Starbucks could dare enter the city of Demel's?

    Why would someone, even a night hawk, favor that experience?

    Please do tell me that Viennese civilization still holds.

    xo

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  3. I would love some starbucks right now!!

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  4. Believe it or not, I've never had a cup of Starbucks coffee. However if I ever get to Vienna, well maybe then.
    Sandi

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  5. Do I know that fellow? Strikingly good looking, don't you think?

    A very atmospheric picture. So much nice than MacDonalds.

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  6. What a cute picture. I love it.

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  7. How relaxed and peaceful looking.

    I like the red bricked cafe - looks fun.

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  8. What are you doing in Starbucks Merisi??
    It looks just like the one in downtown Walnut Creek, CA.

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  9. Starbucks.
    The enemy we can't live without had invaded Vienna.
    nine.

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  10. *smile*

    That scene does look very Viennese,
    don't you agree? This is an underground location, at a big subway transfer station, not the place where one expects quiet contemplation. I am all for free enterprise and when Starbucks came to Vienna, it become a refuge for those coffee devotees who'd rather breath smoke-free air, giving the local establishments a run for their money. In the meantime, at least two of the big traditional coffee houses have declared their houses smoke-free, Cafe Schwarzenberg and Griensteidl, and smaller places like Cafe der Provinz and Phil.

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  11. I think Vienna has the power of turning even Starbucks into something very... Viennese :)!

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  12. @ Paris Breaksfasts:
    Remember, the enemy is within!
    Viennese coffeehouses will not go down because of Starbucks. To quote that ancient Roman sage, Cicero, "The enemy is within the gates; it is with our own luxury, our own folly ... " - I'd add to that complacency and smugness, to which a half dozen Starbucks weigh nothing.

    McDonald's is now throwing its very own McCafés into the ring, They may take a bigger bite out of the coffee business than Starbucks. Their prices are very competitive, and the coffee's good! Plus, they offer a smoke-free environment, and more and more people who don't smoke are tired of being considered second-class customers.

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  13. @ Lana,
    I agree!
    And if they help to show the light to those managers who think that the all important customer is the one who smokes, they better for them!

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  14. @ Carolyn Parker:
    I took this picture from the outside, walking by on my way to the metro. ;-)

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  15. @ Vicki Lane,
    I know, even though, unlike Brutus, I am not in on the conspiracy! ;-)

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  16. @ Frances,
    please don't worry! Enough devoted Viennese are out there to keep us lapsing into Dark Ages again, at least as far as the coffee front is concerned! Quite a few coffee brewers are fighting valiantly against doom. ;-)

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  17. @ Sandi McBride,
    when Starbucks opened its first store on the East Coast right there in my then hometown DC, I had quite a few good cups of coffee there (before that, the only place I knew that served a decent Italian style espresso was Luigi's Pizzeria on L Street!).

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  18. @ Willow,
    I wished they treated them as art and had engaged Dale Chihuly to create something truly original! ;-)

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  19. Edward Hopper would be fascinated by this! And so am I.

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  20. @ Margeret Benbow:
    Isn't it fascinating how a single artist has forever captured our imagination when we see scenes like this one?

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  21. Ahh-- the smoke free thing makes sense!

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