Having a “drinking coffee in a cafe” routine means people are very disturbed when said coffee drinker goes to Bali for a month.

Universes wobble and there are concerned queries on the coffee drinker’s return. Even though no one know the coffee drinker’s name. She is just the coffee drinker.

Who sits over there. And reads.

For the baristas, she is the long black coffee drinker.

Having a “drinking coffee in a cafe” routine means that the coffee drinker is privy to people’s stories. There is comfort in someone sitting, same time nearly every day, happy to listen.

My observation. We don’t need daily amazing life events. We don’t need daily vivid, spectacular IG photos (okay.. sometimes… let’s be honest ?). We don’t need days packed with adventure. Or even weeks overseas.** We don’t need people not to look at screens (coffee drinker reads a book, and iPad. Has headphones slung around her neck.)

Daily small moments experienced. Relay as a story. With wry humour and curiosity. This is rich fabric of life.

From the coffee drinker.

Thank you to regulars for the belly laughs. Thank you for updates on your day. Your life. Your dogs. Thank you strangers for looking at the coffee drinker in the eye. For the smile.

As the coffee drinker: I see you, I hear you and you make my day

**side note.

Having “drinking coffee in a cafe” routine in Bali means not much is shared.

Hi! Smile. Long black please. Smile. See you later! Smile.

Sometime in routine, where are you from, Madam? First trip to Bali?

Coffee drinker now known as the “Australian been here 3 times long black coffee drinker with iffy tipping habits”.

When coffee drinker walks back into cafe. Six months later ….☕️….. the barista looks up.  Eye contact. Smile. Big smile. Bigger smile.

Barista comes out from counter. Then “Australian been here 3 times long black coffee drinker with iffy tipping habits” is hugged.

There is comfort in someone sitting, same time nearly every day, happy to smile. Sometimes that is all we need in life.