As I’ve noted in the previous blog, life is made memorable about interruptions. I would add to that by saying the memories are unique to places and people.
Those who watched the RyanMan vlog will have noticed my cycling top, with the branding Frisky Goat on it. It’s a coffee shop in Cape Town near where my parents live.
My wife maintains that the taste of a cup of coffee or tea is directly affected by the shape of the mug you drink it from. While she hasn’t managed to find the science to back up her claim, there’s often a chorus of “Mmhmms” from others who she has the conversation with.
I nod in agreement. That’s what good husbands do. And I’d like to take the idea further than just the mug.
Frisky Goat Coffee Shop is run by the famous Charlie. You walk in and you’re greeted by a broad Zimbabwean smile, which is quickly followed by a quip of some sort. “What took you so long?” he beams at me as I arrive at the door.
On this particular occasion, my son is along for the ride, complete with homeschool hair dangling all over the place and an eclectic mashup of attire that he’s chosen to wear that day. Charlie sizes him up tactfully. “And what’s your future looking like bruh?” Charlie asks.
“Pardon?” my son replies. (I’m impressed with this. For me it’s usually “HUH?”)
“I mean, what are you going to be when you grow up?” Charlie asks.
“I’m going to recreate dinosaurs and have my own Jurassic World,” he states.
This leads to a conversation about how they go into business together. And seeing as my son has recruited me for his future endeavours, I can’t help myself.
“I know!” I enthuse. “You can put Charlie’s coffee shop at the front and call it entrance!”
This goes down a treat, and there’s immediate buy-in.
The next day, my son is darkening my door again. “Can we go to Frisky Goat again?” he begs.
The hot chocolate has a particular allure, for sure. But there’s hot chocolate at home, so it’s not that he’s after. He wants to visit the famous Charlie again.
It’s people who make a place. Yes there are grand places, and sacred places, which we all love to go to. But ultimately it’s the shared experience that makes life memorable.
