“Fate had a weird way of circling back over paths that were meant to cross.”
One time when I read a book by Gail Mchugh, he mentioned reconnecting with people you are destined to cross paths again. After the devastating events of Typhoon Odette, I was able to meet, reconnect and cross paths with people; new and old acquaintances alike.
Two weeks after the Typhoon hit the Visayas and Mindanao region, I was almost going crazy thinking about what I can do to get some updates from my schoolmates and professors. Activities, exams, and papers were due while some are already way past their deadlines. With my mind as paranoid as it was, I was determined to go to a place somewhere where I can charge and connect with the online world. Thankfully, a purposeful reconnection and purpose turned into a chance encounter with people I was bound to meet again. It was indeed a reconnection.
Coffee Project
The closest cafe there is in my place, within walking distance was found somewhere in a mall called “Starmall” in Lawaan, Talisay City. Coffee Project is that kind of a coffee shop that would really look good in pictures, it's very instagrammable. It has its own unique take on floral designs, partnered with its antique and wood handicrafts and furniture. The lighting on the place also gives it a warm and cozy feeling; with warm tones and hues of yellowish and brown lighting.
It was already my second time going to what we like to refer to as “Cproj” and I was thankful because their wifi was available and a person can connect two of their devices after ordering a certain drink or food. But, one con that I encountered though was that there was a time limit for their internet connection–a maximum of two hours which means that after two hours of working I need to either order again or leave the cafe. Overall though, I was able to connect with the online world reconnect with my block mates and ask about updates from the University. I was also able to work a little on my papers and projects during my stay in Cproj which was still productive for me. Another good thing that happened that day was that I was able to meet two of my batch mates from my junior high school days and we were able to catch up and talk about our struggles this first year of college. At that time though, I was already planning on going to another cafe wherein there was no time limit for the internet connection.
The Civet Coffee Roasters
Truly, the next week, I went to another cafe. The place was called “The Civet Coffee Roasters” which was found in SM Seaside. Compared to Cproj, Civet had a more formal and business-looking style of a coffee shop. It has a lot of light wooden walls and brick montage designs that accentuate the warm and happy atmosphere it gives. It has this relaxing yet home kind of feeling and aside from that, among all other cafes I’ve been to in the past, Civet was one of the few with not-so-dark lighting. Their lighting was just enough for me to feel productive compared to other cafes that sometimes make me feel sleepy.
Civet also has one of the best lattes I have ever tasted that comes at an affordable price especially since I am still a student. In fact, they probably have the cheapest price list and menu out of all the coffee shops I’ve been to, their muffins were only Php 75 above and they also have drinks that were just a hundred pesos. Another good thing about it is I was able to connect with the internet with no limits because the SM Wifi provides unlimited access to their free WIFI.
Since then, I have absolutely fallen in love with the place. Civet was just the perfect place for me. I feel comfortable writing my papers and doing my projects there plus they have good food and drinks. They also have the friendliest baristas and servers which made it even better.
I was supposedly planning to go to 3 or more cafes, but when I found out about Civet, the idea faded. Right now, it is the perfect place for me to work on my outputs and catch up with my friends.
It was a whirlwind of a year, and the new year has come. It was indeed true when Gail said that “Fate had a weird way of circling back over paths that were meant to cross.” because if not for the things that has happened I would have never met old acquaintances again, and I would have never met new people from those days in the cafes. Also, I would have never discovered my love for chocolate and green lattes, and also any kind of muffin in general.
These chance encounters also reminded me to continue living life, and ride with the waves it gives me because I can only live my life with no regrets when I learned to live life the way it is. Life seems to be more beautiful that way, it is how it is.
See you next time as I recall my travel and fun journey to Bantayan Island and always remember to live life with no regrets.
Yours Truly,
Just “KC”
