Central Coffee To Go – an Impromptu Gallery

I do not visit the downtown very often these days, no reason. The weather here was and still is total crap for the last few months; the grey of the city bears down heavy on my mind and will of doing something with my spare time, anything other than work, read, rest and the like.

When I do go out, I usually am content with just visiting my photographer friend at his shop, discussing all and nothing about this and that, buy some groceries at local stores, meet the few friends I have, and such. Nothing really captivating, but it helps pass the time.

However, one of the places I look forward visiting is a small coffee shop, right in the centre of this little town. For me, it’s a breath of fresh air, coupled with the delight of good conversation, and when some quality coffee is thrown into the bargain, one can feel the time allotted for the visit is well spent. The name of this small oasis is Central Coffee To Go, because, well, it’s a coffee shop and it is central. Right, glad I have clarified this for you.

It is a one man shop, err, one girl shop to be precise. My first impression when I first met her is that she looks exactly like a pixie from the Neverland, you know, the realm of Tinkerbell and her gang of wondrous beings. She is delicate and may seem fragile, but she is not, trust me. She can brew a mean coffee cup with the utmost assurance and knowledge of an experienced barista. As minute as she is, she handles the shop like a pro, sharing her infectious smile around her, to each and every customer. So, yeah, what could anyone wish first thing in the morning than a smile and a coffee to make the world go bye, right?

Apart from the fact that I am one of the shop’s clients, we do have in common film photography. She is a bit into it, owning a worn out Asahi Pentax MX, which she occasionally loads with film. She is in the learning stages, taking the learning curve slowly and passionate about this entire film photography road to wherever it will lead her.

At one point, a joint decision came to pass: some of my photographs to be affixed on the shop’s wall, a sort of an impromptu gallery, if you will. She and her boyfriend (who runs the adjacent electronic ciggies shop) gave me the largest concourse and support in my little endeavour, screws, drill machine, the works.

What can I say, a  couple of good, decent human beings, helpful and deserving my unconditional gratitude. It’s so easy to navigate life when fellow humans such as these two here are helping you stay the course. Thank you, good people!

Regarding film and camera, I used a Nikon F3 loaded with Ilford HP5 400 (apart from this last one).

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