Just into the New Year, Sami of Sami’s Coffee Kiosk made his usual end of the day tweet that he was closing up, this time with a twist.
It was a bit disconcerting not to see the familiar cart in its usual spot, but far be it for me to begrudge anyone some well-deserved time off.
Then the 22nd came and went. No Sami. Some of the natives started getting a little restless.
Three weeks ended up stretching into a month. Finally, yesterday morning, the news many of the neighborhood workers had been hoping for.
I stopped by for a coffee, it was good to have Sami back. We chatted while he made my drink. He had gone home to Eritrea for the first time in 9 years, and saw his family there. His parents are still there, and his father is 96 years old. Apparently he was still riding his bicycle everywhere he went through age 95. How cool is that?
This is a drum I keep beating and will continue to beat, but be kind to your baristas. They’re not automatons there to serve your needs, but actual people. Treat them as such, and you might get to know someone with a really interesting story.
Love the sentiment MM. Thanks for sharing. Hugs my friend. xojo