Sunday 14 August 2011

Café Hawelka
Where once upon a time is now


"... it must be said

that the Viennese coffeehouse

is a particular institution
which is not comparable to any other
in the world..."
*

* Stefan Zweig,
"The World of Yesterday.
Memories of a European"

I remember reading those lines
for the first time, far from Vienna,
and I have reread Zweig's poignant memoirs
a few times since.

It still seems unreal
that I live here now and
more than five years have passed
since I first set foot into Hawelka's.
I still think of Stefan Zweig
when I go there.

Hawelka's coffee Melange is among Vienna's best.
I often need two, to last me through my readings,
with a soft-boiled egg - brain food, you know.

Photographed
Saturday morning at
Café Hawelka
Dorotheergasse
Vienna

*

Images and own text
© by Merisi
Repost



21 comments:

  1. You are making me feel quite ashamed that I have spent so very little time discovering Vienna. I am not a city person and prefer the countryside, but your photographs make me want to explore our gorgeous city!
    Have you been to Danieli's in the 1st district? I think it's the best Italian restaurant in Vienna.

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  2. Captivating photos, Merisi. Café Hawelka looks a nice place!
    I would love to be there reading a book or a newspaper and with a cup of coffee on hands.

    I read the book that Stefan Zweig wrote about Brazil, "Brazil, Land of the Future" and also his short stories.

    Big hug for you too.

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  3. Café Hawelka Dorotheergasse is my mind, a marvellous place to dream about, may be one day, I'll seat in this place!!!!

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  4. Country Girl,
    oh, the city waits for you (very patiently) while you enjoy the countryside! :-)
    I have not been to Danieli's, it's on my list now that you mention it (I cook Italian, so I am always curious to see how authentic a place is).

    Sonia a. mascaro,
    I have not read Zweig's book about Brazile, but I have read that he loved Brazile dearly and had much hope of finding peace in his new home.

    Amelia,
    thank you!

    Bridget,
    may you do so soon!

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  5. looks wonderful...these coffeehouses will make me get to Vienna one of these days!!

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  6. Seems like most everyone is pretty well dressed.

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  7. Merisi, I have had such a fine time getting caught up with your most recent posts. Might I say that as i was reading, I was sipping my evening's iced coffee from a glass that greatly resembled those in your photos. Obviously, my instant-coffee based iced brew was not otherwise comparable to anything in Viennese cafes!

    I've made a note of Stefan Zweig and will search for his books when I next visit my marvelous library's stacks.

    My only visit to Vienna, way back in 1982, did introduce me to the charms of coffee houses, and their special atmosphere. I continue to ask myself when I might return.

    xo

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  8. You make Vienna so inviting. I love the glimpses into everyday life.
    The racks of newspapers and your "brain food" are delicious invitations to your life.

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  9. Dear Merisi - thanks to you, I have discovered Stefan Zweig, and bought "The World Of Yesterday" (as well as "The Post Office Girl") at Shakespeare & Co. on the Sterngasse, and have been diving headfirst into this glorious world of yesteryear. That, and I love Hawelka - I can't wait until next year, when I will return!

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  10. Merisi,
    I hope you are working on a coffee table book about Vienna's coffee houses. You must certainly have the most comprehensive collection of beautiful images of Vienna's coffee culture. I look forward to buying one of your first edition books. Here's to you!
    Martha

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  11. Really lovely photos. They could be paintings!

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  12. Beautiful -- one would be inspired to write especially well in such surroundings.

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  13. That first photo is so perfect!

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  14. :-) Chosen! Darling, it is fabulous the anticipation for the pleasure.
    Can't wait to tell you what seduced me!
    Danuca

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  15. Merisi, with your nice pictures you describe so well the atmosphere of the Café.

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  16. I wouldn't go either into Hawelka's if the tables were topseyturvey like that!

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  17. I have such good memories from that cafe, and from several others :-)

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  18. Thank you all for your kind comments! :-)

    Renate,
    how wonderful! I have not read "The Post Office Girl", need to check it out, thank you for the tip!

    Martha in Vienna,
    a coffee table book? Wouldn't that be something (I am afraid the Viennese would not be happy about it).

    Carol @ Paris Breakfasts:
    You belieben zu scherzen! *


    * Gotta be kidding! ;-)

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  19. Ah, but the tourists would love your coffee table book on the coffee houses of Vienna, as would many coffee lovers worldwide. I think you should make it happen. It would be wonderful!!!
    Cheers....

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