Sunday, August 31, 2008

A Gem

There are little coffee shops and restaurants all over Seattle that will transport you to Europe, you just have to find them first. Right now I'm sitting in a gem of a coffee, wine, beer and panini shop called Geneve Cafe in Fremont. I'm sipping a light German beer and listening to great salsa and jazz music. The place is empty and quiet, the reds and browns fold me into their warmth. Right now, I am far away from Seattle, which is often too big and overwhelming for me.

This reminds me of being in Munich, which felt like home. The people looked like me (I'm part German), the food was delicious, the beer perfect. David and I walked down the cobblestone streets, through a farmer's market full of meat, and landed at a "breakfast" place. It was 10am, and people were drinking beer with their sausage and potatoes. David and I did the "un-German" thing and had coffee, but as the afternoon ticked by, couldn't help but join the Germans. We went to the brauhaus, where the only size beer you could buy was a glass that probably held 3 pints. We sat amidst the raucaus Germans, and even though it was only 2pm, the place was PACKED. Germans would break out in drinking songs, laugh and talk loudly as men in liederhosen played the polka. They'd smile at us and talk in thick accents. It felt so jovial there, free of worry and care. So what if we're drunk at 2pm, it's Germany, they thought.

I miss Europe, the way time seems to stand still. I miss the happy faces, the relaxed body language. I miss the food, the cafe lined streets, the produce stands. Just being here in the Geneve Cafe reminds me of that other world, and for an hour, a moment, I'm transported overseas.

4 comments:

danielskiffington said...

I have never heard of it. I will have to go. My house overlooks Fremont on Queen Anne for goodness sake. I love "escaping the city." Even if it is only for a while.

Dan-Eric Slocum said...

There's nothing like the "feel" of a distant place 'right here' in Seattle.

We're fortunate to have some great places for that!

Colleen said...

I'll run away to Europe with you! I miss it too!

- A - C - said...

There is no place like Munich, particularly in wintertime, right before Christmas. A Joy for your eyes, palate and sorrow for your wallet as you can't endure the constant temptation of the christmas market.
As for beer, "ein dunkles hefeweizen bitte!" :-)