Following the music and the smell of coffee. All of a sudden the [KB1] sign that says "Opposite the Arch", is screaming louder than ever. The pace inside is smooth. It's never an overwhelming rush amongst the wooden walls and floors, and the hung up African Art reminding the people that we live in the land of abaXhosa.
Suddenly getting grey and windy outside. The dangling lights that are warming the shop are moving left and right. Windows and doors are being closed but more and more people are coming in. Watching those that are tall in height, bending under the low lying [KB2] main door frame, and the ones that just walk in with ease. People are rubbing up and down their arms, trying to warm themselves up just after escaping the cold from outside. The fresh juices not selling as much as the coffee and the baked goods, but the lines continue to get longer and longer.
"Encinci noma Enkulu" ("The small one or the big one"), says the dread headed Barista, over the loud sound of the coffee grinder, when taking your order. Sitting at the edge of the barista's table, everything is easily watched. The running of the machines, placing the raw and fine coffee into a porter filter. Followed by a soft tamp, to even out the heaped coffee. Then into the machine it goes, pouring out the creamiest espresso shots. Now all that is left, is the final dark and wet coffee grounds.
As time went by and the wind calmed down. The shop was surrounded by more empty cups, mugs and saucers than there were people. The pace was still smooth but it was much slower now. The music became softer. Hearing of other people's conversations became easier, and the feeling of needing to leave kicks in. And just like that, the lights finally switched off and it became cold inside like it was outside.
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