Hansi Zeiler's new flat was perfect, except for one little thing. Listen to Hansi's story.
Hansi had moved. His new flat was perfect. It had very high ceilings, generous rooms, and Hansi's view of St. Stephen's cathedral across the roofs of Vienna was second to none. And now, three months later, Hansi was having his housewarming party. A dinner for his very close friends.
The menu was simple. Pumpkin soup, chicken in red wine sause, and fruit salad for sweet. A meal that was easy to cook and everyone liked.
On the day of the party, Hansi got up very early. He had much to get ready. His first job was laying the table. A big white sheet not a table cloth. Crockery he'd borrowed from mum, and cuttlery and glasses a good friend had lent him.
Then, Hansi went shopping, and, afterwards, having time on his hands, went off for a very quick lunch. And, just after four, Hansi began with the meal. The cutting up of the vegetables, the seasoning of the meat, and so on and so forth. And, then came the time to put the food on to cook.
Then came the shock. A terrible moment. Hansi's electric stove didn't work. It was broken.
Hansi tried everything. He turned the stove on and off, then on and off again and again and again. And, he twiddled all the knobs. And, he prayed. But, nothing. The stove stayed definately dead. And, being a Saturday afternoon, there was absolutely no chance of repair.
We all arrived at seven on the dot. Hansi told us to keep our coats on and off we went to the Gasthaus.
We had a wonderful evening. Viennese gasthaus cooking is, after all, amongst the best in the world.
Hansi was happy and we were happy. A great celebration for Hansi's new flat. A housewarming party in a gasthaus and not at the home being warmed. An original first.
And, Hansi's stove? Hansi never had it repaired. It just wasn't worth it. Cooking was nothing for Hansi. And, gasthaus cooking speaks louder than words.
There's no preperation, no shopping, no cooking, and no cleaning up to be done. And. of course, there's always a choice and gasthaus cooking tastes great. Just right for for bachelor living.
Hansi's housewarming party. A stove that was broken and a wonderful evening. A true little story from life.
Hansi Zeiler
