Well, I'd been in a sort of slump. A disenchantment with the city. It's not uncommon and the city does give you plenty of causes for disenchantment. Still. It's not a very productive way to live. Luckily, I have friends who'll drag me out of it sometimes. When my fellow caffeine-lover friend heard a new coffeehouse was opening in our neighborhood, she invited me to check it out over the weekend and, a tad reluctant (as I was with all things), I agreed.
I believe it was Don Draper who famously said that if you don't like the conversation, you should just change the conversation. Same goes for the one in your own head. After all, there's only so much nit-picking and debating some issues with yourself. It turned out, spending the afternoon catching up with an old friend was precisely what I needed.
Old. When did that get to be. I remember when we were still only spring friends. New in each other's lives. Except it's been years now, and somehow. Despite the odds. Here we are, having coffee. It did me a lot of good. I tend to be my own worst enemy sometimes, but luckily there's people who'll love you anyway.
Besides, there's something about the opening of a new place. You just get caught in the excitement of it all, don't you?
The cafe, called Kopp, is situated inside the semi-basement area of an old Art Deco building, though you wouldn't think it to look at the place. It looks very chic and modern. Hard to imagine dust and cobwebs about the place.
It being perhaps the coldest day of this winter yet, I was relieved to find they have seating inside, as well. It's not always the case with these little neighborhood cafes, as many set up shop inside a tiny room, then leave the outdoor area for seating. Which isn't normally a problem, as the area itself is glorious, especially on a Saturday. But me and cold don't mix.
I think I fell in love with it from the door. The little coffee cup tree outside. I wish they hadn't cut down the real tree (branches) right beside the door, though hopefully that will grow and they will let it. It's not in the spirit of the neighborhood to destroy old things. It's one of the parts I love most about it.
The people were lovely, very friendly and excited. You could tell. You can always tell when people are hoping and sort of angling towards the best. It's infectious.
The cafe itself is like a sort of maze, almost, all arches and winding. Little rooms inside little rooms and twists and turns and worlds to get lost in. I admit I kinda liked not quite knowing who I was coming back to, or whether or not I'd end up in the wrong room. In a different conversation. There was a sexiness to it, I suppose.
We were quite lucky. Maybe it's the novelty of the place, but it wasn't exactly packed (a common issue with trendy cafes in the area), which would've made conversation a bit of a nightmare. As it was, we had one of the many little rooms all to ourselves and were able to have a good laugh without feeling loud or worrying about bothering people. I love that. Being able to laugh.
Now what do you think that is? I think it's a very strong, muscly moustache man, myself. My friend guessed an elephant.
Of course, this is all to detract from the main attraction of the afternoon - the sweet treats. Now, I've been a good girl when it comes to my eating (mostly), which is precisely why when I step out, I like to treat myself (and others). Opted for the pistachio croissant and was not disappointed. Mouth waters just remembering it - and how often is that the case?
I don't know quite how it happened, but I walked home with a whole different feeling than I'd set out. I got the chance to say "okay so it's not going as planned, so what?". I never did like Andy Warhol, but I always resonated with that idea of his.
“Sometimes people let the same problem make them miserable for years when they could just say, "So what."
"My mother didn't love me." So what.
"My husband won't ball me. So what.
"I'm a success but I'm still alone." So what.
I don't know how I made it through all the years before I learned how to do that trick. It took a long time for me to learn it, but once you do, you never forget.”
Have a treat. Have a laugh. So what. Thank goodness for friends who remind you of it.
If you're ever in Bucharest, check it out. Or give me a shout and maybe I'll take you there if I'm around.:)
