I forced myself out into the wintery wind. Everyone on the sidewalk of my street seemed to be wearing light layers, but the news report claimed that the windchill was below freezing. I had three goals in mind before going to the university vocal club in the evening:
1. Pick up package at post office.
Normally the five blocks to the post office is a somewhat pleasant experience. It's not the prettiest walk to the Suedbahnhof (south train station), but I rarely go that way so it's nice to see that part of the neighborhood. But, today I realized that the Bahnhof is actually at the top of a hill and is rather exposed to the elements. I took my trolley along to put the package in (and to help complete my next goal), but when I rounded the last corner, the trolley went airborne! It's very awkward to fly a kite/trolley while crossing the eight-laned Gurtle. I felt like a spectacle except everyone was just trying to walk in a straight line with their heads tucked so I don't think they noticed my wheels occasionally crashing on the pavement.
I made my way to the office where all my packages end up. I keep hoping that I'd have a repeat attendant so maybe I could make a nodding acquaintance at the post, but somehow their employee turn around is faster than my package delivery. I wait in line til it's my turn. I step up; after six months here I know the drill. The attendant mumbles something I'm positive is not German, at least not Hochdeutsch, and walks away. I stand there awkwardly. The guy behind me goes to the next available attendant. Everyone is comfortable with whatever that man said. For the thousandth time in this city, I feel five years old. I'm old enough to play along, but I have no idea what the grown-ups are up to. I obediently pulled out my Louisiana Driver License and package receipt and wait.
He finally returned, smiled at me ****first occurrence at the post office!!! I'm excited!***** then, he frowned shoved the receipt across the counter and growled, "Blah blah blah Taubstummengasse bleh". To add insult to injury, the name of the street that I SHOULD have taken my little piece of paper to - a friend of mine once explained to me that this phrase translates to "deaf and dumb street". Well, clearly, I belong there. But, it's too late to get there on foot in time.
Goal 2. Stop by a neighborhood cafe, get a kleiner Brauner, and connect with someone.
I fly my trolley back down the hill and turn toward home. I'm miserable. All the negative little voices that had been hiding in the shadows squeal with devilish delight as I decide the other two goals were not that important. I don't need to bond with anyone at the cafe and I don't need groceries. The package that my mother sent to me is out of reach forever - well at least until that office opens in the morning. Plus, if you freeze to death you don't need friends or tomatoes. Suddenly all those years of complaining about New Orleans summers seemed trite compared to the thought of six months of winter in Vienna. My skin aches at the chill. But, as I reach the third block I see the soft glow of a little neighborhood bakery that by some miracle of God was not closed yet. And they have an espresso machine.
I step up into the warm embrace of this island of comfort; two ladies greet me sweetly and the owner asks me if I need coffee. Yes! I do NEED it. I need it if I'm going to learn to love the fact that Vienna doesn't know how to the gentle Fall into Winter. And I need it if I'm going to get to the grocery store. She sees my eyes wander to the few remaining pastries and cookies. I haven't indulged in a long time and this is my moment to have just a little something sweet. But, horror, as she walks across the room with a kleiner Brauner and Krampfen, I realize, "Oh, Nein! Ich habe kein Geld!" and I open my wallet for her to see I only had receipts where euros should go. She soothed me back to my place and told me to enjoy - that she is closing up shop so I must eat and drink. I could pay her back some other time. I told her where I lived to give her some assurance that I would come back very soon. I have never loved all the mothers of Austria so much.
3. Pick up groceries and cleaning supplies.
After such an uplifting experience, and I realize my trolley is still empty, I fill that baby to the brim. Everything that I could possibly need in the next six months (okay, I'll probably have to go back in a few days) go in. With such a full trolley there was no taking the stairs so I waited for the "four person" elevator of my building to work its way down. A lady, who I must admit kind of scares me, walked up. She must be in her 70's and until recently I was sure she was the product of years of drug use. But today she not only slurred a greeting, she actually chatted with me! And she suggested that she go in to the lift before my trolley and me since I lived below her. I didn't know what to say. I mostly just nodded and tried to look sweet until I could drag out my trolley and wish her a beautiful evening. I love when people surprise you.
4. Uni Vocal club
I was late. Really late. Somehow I missed that this first Wednesday evening session would start at 8 rather than 8:30. But I got there and 8:40. I stood there for an eternity - until the automatic hall lights turned off - outside the locked doors. What could I do? I had told everyone that I was going to do this as a way to meet people, but this class was mandatory attendance! If I didn't do things just right I was going to have to admit to the world that I was a slacker that can't get to class on time. (Anyone who knew me in college already knows this very well, but I was hoping I had out grown this.)
But just as I has slid dejectedly down the wall and plopped on the floor, two ladies walked up the stairs and asked me what was wrong. I tried to explain in German, but eventually gave up and switched to English which, natürlich, they both spoke perfectly. Fortunately, they were the ladies to talk to: the ladies with the key to the classroom and offices, the ladies to pay off, and the ladies to discuss just how university class etiquette works. They were very gracious. Plus, I may have mistakenly given myself some clout with the students who watched me walk in late with those women and then leisurely join the singing. :-) If they only knew.
At the end of the day I have two conclusions: Life is always more complicated than I anticipate. And, my God wishes to bless me through this beautiful mess.
