i checked into Hive this morning and i noticed the new prompt before we left the house. we had some errands to do in Larvik so i knew just where to go for this theme. at the mouth of Farris River there is a shopping center with restaurants, bars, cafes, offices on the lower levels and and residential flats above with great views of the Larviksfjord, harbor and city. after we finished our shopping there we crossed the footbridge to the cultural center called Bølgen, the Wave.
Bølgen houses a concert hall, cinema, gallery and Sanden Scene cafe/bar.- that's where we are headed. by the entrance we were greeted with a short item from Poesi Parken. the city sponsored 'poetry park' featuring poetic input spread all around pedestrian parts of the city
of course you shall be my anchor who would want an anchor that has no idea what the bottom looks like
oh that was deep. things were looking up as we entered
spacious, light and modern
the place is big and open with glass walls looking out to the river on one side and the fjord on another. seating is on two floors and the ceiling high above. on the far end there's a stage for smaller concerts and performances. the main business is connected to those events but they are open for much of the day on off days such as today. so we knew there wouldn't be a crowd.
i became slightly suspicious when we saw that there was no coffee menu.
we enquired to the sole woman running the place and i decided on an americano and the wife a cappuccino. we were somewhat reassured when she started grinding the Solberg and Hansen coffee beans. i specifically ordered the americano because i had just had an excellent one from Solberg and Hansen at the Bokbiten Cafe in the library last week and i wanted to compare this one with that one.
things stopped looking up when the woman used cold milk in the cappuchino but we didn't say anything. she offered to sprinkle cinnamon on top, normally my wife would decline but since we were there specifically for this cinnamon cup coffee post she thought why not go for it, already knowing she was going to be disappointed due to the cold milk.
but the concert program helped and the novel bamboo straws behind cheered us up
we spied an empty table by the glass wall toward the fjord and headed straight for it. i wasn't looking up and banged my head on the metal bar under the staircase. now i am 198 cm, about 6' 5" which is tall but there are others in town taller. there is no way that bar should have been where people walk. the tables were arranged such that it was the only way to get to where we were going. with such high ceilings banging my head was the last thing on my mind.
the spilt coffee on the floor was from my cup. it was a solid knock on the top of my head but luckily not as bad as it could have been. the customers seated nearby noticed what happened. an animated public discussion ensued with the employee about the incident. the other customers expressed their sincere concern but i didn't make a formal complaint. it could have been much worse for both myself and the establishment.
the attendant apologized wholeheartedly and assured us that she would inform the owners of the incident and insist the situation be remedied. a simple rearrangement of the tables would suffice to alleviate the danger. she offered me ice to put on my head which i declined. then she offered me another coffee which i accepted. not that i needed it but it was a given that she should offer it. so much for today's ambience,
on top of the drama the americano was not in the same class as the one at Bokbiten. nevertheless i was okay so i took a few shots of the place to give an idea how it would be before, during and after a performance on the stage. . though some alcoholic beverages are available at the cafe disc the proper bar is just around the corner from it
the view from our table. it was cold and windy outside so the place was empty but i presume there are tables when the weather is better
a few of these funky red sofa on wheels were available
a nook for children of all ages to construct something with wooden blocks
in better summer weather the private and public areas merge together into a popular spot but i don't think i'll be back anytime soon. knock on wood