Einen Kaffee, bitte
One of my favourite things to do.. go and get a coffee. Find your favourite local barista, take some time to know them, invest in yourself - and them. You can do no wrong.
You only need to talk to Warner who owns and operates Blank on Acre Lane in Brixton about looking after returning clientele, I feel like I still owe him a few quid from the generosity.
Since I started travelling, a majority of it was solo, or of course meeting up with friends in spontaneous cities across the world, cafe culture has been thick within me.
Pint’s or tastes of the local liquid delicacy was a normal fixture, but there is nothing like finding a good tasting bean in the mornings (or in some cases, evenings) of the world.
If wandering, find a cafe with a good vibe, you would usually know within the first seconds if you have walked by a good barista.
Have a go at ordering your choice in the local language.. always fun!
Grab a seat and get comfortable. The window leaner is always a good one.
You can see the world go by at your fingertips.
You can witness frustrated drivers, common folk cycling their way through the busy life, friends meeting up on their desired breaks for a bite to eat from the near by cafe or bakery.
One of my favourite things to do was to listen to people. Or things. The cutlery noise, the bells ding, the chef’s bantering, the culinary slang.
However I of course would not be too nosey or never, ever put my word in to other communications.
But to hear conversation.
To hear how citizens are doing.
Literally everyone is on their own path, it is fascinating.
Hear the annoying speak, working out each others problems - who’s boss is over ruling their rights, who left their lunch on the bench, who’s kid scored three goals on Saturday morning or who’s rolling in from a four in the morning bender.
To hear language is special, unique and brave. If I hear Español, Deutsch, even Māori or different dialects of the English vocabulary it sends me into desires of wanting to know their story, why are they here, what was the journey.
Without sounding invading on one others personal space, sitting back and acknowledging the background noise is a fantasy.
Enjoy your refreshment of choice, sit back, and enjoy the noise.
Part two of a coffee shop experience for me to come, in time.
Part three I may consider noting you some of my favourite coffee spots I have visited across the globe.
For now, keep well, enjoy that hard earnt cup of joe.
I hope you are enjoying these when they deliver themselves from my mind to pad, I do it for myself as much as others.
Writing is a great therapy, maybe a piece on that would be due also perhaps.
Thanks again
SBG
