Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by Kinoteka, the cafe down the block, for a glass of wine or two.
This has become my end-of-the-day routine. Kinoteka is decorated in a style I would call "second hand store" chic. There are random pieces of furniture of different eras, mannequins wearing antique evening gowns, red velvet drapes, marble topped cafe tables, old sewing machines. Somehow it all works. The cafe is usually quiet and cozy in the late afternoon. A great place to read, sip and watch -- one of the things I like most about the European lifestyle.
Yesterday something was different. It was Monday and a band was setting up. It turned out there were actually two bands, one featuring a blues guitar, accordian and harmonica, the other a violin. The blues band played a few bars of "Got My Mojo Workin"" and stopped. The violinist played part of a traditional Croatian tune and also stopped.
Pretty soon, folks started bringing in trays with pastries and other baked goods. A table was set up in the corner, right next to me, and paper backed books were stacked on it, along with a donation box. Votive candles were lit and put on the tables around the room. I figured there was a fund raiser of some sort, so I asked the waitress what was up. She shrugged her shoulders and gave me a look that said, "Sorry, but I can't explain it in English."
Then, a woman came to my table with a bag full of pastries. She asked me if it was okay to use my table. When I said, "sure," she began putting the pastries on small trays. We struck up a conversation. Her English was excellent. Turns out she is a linguist. Her name is Ana and she is married to a guy from New Jersey who teaches at the university.
Ana told me that the party was a wake (my word) for her friend who had died recently and had not wanted a funeral. Marica was her oldest friend. They had been together since high school. Marica died after a seven month illness which had come on expectedly, and, guessing from Ana's age, far too young. She was a writer and a translator, explaining the table of books. The cafe was soon full. I told Ana that, being a stranger, I felt a bit uncomfortable. She told me to not to worry and left me with a few pastries.
I ordered another glass of wine and the bands started playing. The lead singer of the band with the violinist wore a Mardi Gras mask. I wasn't sure why. The bands alternated songs and in between members of the audience read poetry. I left after about an hour, wishing I had understood more. But I sure hope that someone will organize something like that for me when the time comes and if a stranger drops by, they invite him to stay.
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| The bar at Kinoteka |
Yesterday something was different. It was Monday and a band was setting up. It turned out there were actually two bands, one featuring a blues guitar, accordian and harmonica, the other a violin. The blues band played a few bars of "Got My Mojo Workin"" and stopped. The violinist played part of a traditional Croatian tune and also stopped.
Pretty soon, folks started bringing in trays with pastries and other baked goods. A table was set up in the corner, right next to me, and paper backed books were stacked on it, along with a donation box. Votive candles were lit and put on the tables around the room. I figured there was a fund raiser of some sort, so I asked the waitress what was up. She shrugged her shoulders and gave me a look that said, "Sorry, but I can't explain it in English."
Then, a woman came to my table with a bag full of pastries. She asked me if it was okay to use my table. When I said, "sure," she began putting the pastries on small trays. We struck up a conversation. Her English was excellent. Turns out she is a linguist. Her name is Ana and she is married to a guy from New Jersey who teaches at the university.
Ana told me that the party was a wake (my word) for her friend who had died recently and had not wanted a funeral. Marica was her oldest friend. They had been together since high school. Marica died after a seven month illness which had come on expectedly, and, guessing from Ana's age, far too young. She was a writer and a translator, explaining the table of books. The cafe was soon full. I told Ana that, being a stranger, I felt a bit uncomfortable. She told me to not to worry and left me with a few pastries.
I ordered another glass of wine and the bands started playing. The lead singer of the band with the violinist wore a Mardi Gras mask. I wasn't sure why. The bands alternated songs and in between members of the audience read poetry. I left after about an hour, wishing I had understood more. But I sure hope that someone will organize something like that for me when the time comes and if a stranger drops by, they invite him to stay.
No worry there, good buddy. When the time comes, Valerie and I will throw you an open bar party.
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