sitting, waiting, wishing

You know that question, “If you were stuck on a deserted island what one item would you bring?” Well l’d like to look at that question from a different angle. If you were destined to stay in one place for the rest of your life, where would that one place be? For me, it’s a coffee shop. I absolutely love them.

When I moved here, I really only had a few requirements for locations. One was that my apartment had to be near a metro station for convenience. The other, just as vital necessity was its proximity to a decent coffee shop. I’m so thankful that I found a place that fits both those categories. In fact, my most proximal café is actually only a 3 minute walk from my apartment, and it’s the kind of institution after which I want to model my future café. It’s called Greenberry’s Coffee and Tea Company and it’s got its fair share of charm. Inside the walls are lined to the ceiling with mahogany shelving dotted with an assortment of coffee mugs and torani flavored syrups. Local school’s artwork hangs on the walls and currently there are twenty three painted pumpkins lined up, all creatively painted by elementary school kids. I think #14 won the contest.

Jazz is usually pumping out of the speakers in the ceiling, though every once and a while, they’re switch it up to cater to the most current holiday. Big round tables clutter the wooden floors. I love that they provide ample space to spread out and study as compared to the dinky Starbucks tables in Westwood that barely support your cup of coffee. I adore the smattering of overstuffed chairs that every once in a while I am lucky enough to nab. But the best part is undoubtedly the people. Greenberry’s is always full (probably a testament to their delicious coffee). And the people who frequent here are always diverse and interesting to overhear. On Tuesday nights the knitting club meets: a group of all ages who make sweaters and scarves for loved ones or maybe pets, who knows. On weekends, the morning bikers stop by after their sunrise ride, people meet to discuss their PhD work, or their kids in college, or they come here like me, to study in hopes of gaining enough knowledge to do something worthwhile.

Perhaps it’s the caffeine running through my veins, but sitting here watching and listening always gets me excited. It just reminds me that I am one among many, but that those many lead such different and intriguing lives. I love how there is so much knowledge and wisdom being shared all around me. That’s why I could spend eternity here, sipping coffee in an overstuffed chair listening to the world.