Nine white coffee drippers rest on a wooden stand in a cosy coffee shop in the heart of London.
“Can I get a cap [cappuccino] in ceramic?” says one barista as I stand and wait in line. Another barista, who is at the espresso machine making coffees, responds in a melodic tone “Cap in ceramic.” A cup is readied. The drink will soon be prepared.
It’s your turn in line. You order a flat white and a raspberry and almond tart. While it’s early in the morning, you have been walking a lot, taking in the architecture of the city and exploring places you have not yet seen. You are delighted by all of the interesting buildings you see: from the Roman-style cathedral of St. Paul’s to the brick houses of the streets of Covent Garden and SoHo.
You wait inside for a few moments. Your order is placed on a smooth, ceramic saucer that you can take to a table. The chill of autumn is here, but it’s still warm enough to drink your coffee outside. Knowing that it will soon be too cold, you embrace the outdoors, taking the opportunity to do some people watching as the city wakes up.
From your table, you can see the door of the coffee shop. A patron in a sophisticated black cap wearing a dark grey scarf is handed a coffee. The barista smiles as she passes over the drink. Orders are being placed by people who have walked in. Friends decide at what table to sit. People order coffee to go. There is a warm glow from the yellow lights of the coffee shop.
You look up to notice the red brick from which the buildings above the stores are constructed. You wonder how long the buildings have been there, and for how long the coffee shop from which you ordered your flat white has been around.
With each sip, the cosy cloak of autumn makes you feel a warmth that you can only feel in autumn. An inner warmth that you can only feel with a cup of good coffee in hand and a soft breeze in the air. After drinking your coffee, you are ready for a day of exploration.
