The cold fall breeze touched my cheeks and whispered whispers in my ear as I strolled into the woodland. The birds were singing in unison. The rustling of the leaves beneath my feet created incomprehensible rhymes that echoed through the trees. The colorful tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves decorated the woodland with the energy of life.
I came across a trickling creek as I ventured deeper into the woods. Its crystal-clear waters reflected the sunshine in a dazzling display of light and shadow. I plunged my fingers into the cool water, feeling its life-giving force while the melody of the brook's music pulled me closer.
I arrived at a clearing as I continued walking. A massive tree stood in the middle of the clearing, its branches reaching the sky like a giant's fingers. The tree provided a safe sanctuary for those seeking safety in the wilderness. I was drawn to it and approached it respectfully.
The woodland was alive with a sense of magic, and I was drawn into its enchantment. The birds sang a wonderful symphony, and the rustle of leaves in the air whispered secrets.
The barista at KAHOY CAFE tapped and said, "Here is your order."
I was lost in thoughts again. So how I ended up at the KAHOY CAFE? Let's do a back roll.
Last weekend, I was in Consolacion, celebrating my grandpa's 80th birthday. While I mostly enjoyed the karaoke and drinks as we waited for the party to start (LOL, the party seems to have started even before it started), I didn't. The karaoke seems too loud, and the singers need to be on-key.
We were still thinking about where we should be going. I heard of a cafe under the trees around the place, so we looked for it. We stumbled upon a charming Kahoy Cafe and were immediately drawn to its rustic, boho vibe. The lighting was incredible, and everything was just picture-perfect. I couldn't resist the urge to explore.
The Cafe is ideally situated at the center of trees and its beautiful shades. Everything looked picture-perfect. We were thrilled to discover that there was an upper floor where we could see the entire area. We made our way up and took in the breathtaking view.
The interior and exterior of the Cafe were cozy and inviting. We were greeted by the friendly staff and immediately felt at home. They had indoor and outdoor seating, so we sat outside and enjoyed the fresh air.
As we perused the menu, we were impressed by the variety of drinks and food items that they offered. From coffee to smoothies, there was something for everyone. We were particularly intrigued by their signature drink, the Kahoy Coffee. It was made from their house blend of pressed coffee over milk and vanilla ice cream. We last ordered food when we had a party to attend (more food there, though).
They served All Day Breakfast items that appealed to Filipino taste buds. We ordered plates of Tocino, Spam, Bacon, Chorizo, and Corned Beef, each with two eggs, pickled vegetables, and rice. The dishes looked delicious and filling, and other patrons were satisfied with the portions. They also had rice bowls with Pork Sisig, Humba, Chicken Strips, and Hungarian Sausage as toppings.
Everything was made with love and served with a smile. What makes Kahoy Cafe special is the people. The staff was friendly and welcoming, making everyone feel the good vibes from the moment I walked in. And the other patrons were just as lovely, striking up conversations and sharing stories as we all enjoyed our meals and drinks.
As I sat in Kahoy Cafe, surrounded by the cozy, boho island vibe, I was struck by the feeling that I was exactly where I was meant to be. The trees, the dancing shades and light across the trees, and the wooden tables created the perfect atmosphere to enjoy my coffee and the beauty around me. And my mind wanders to how beautiful the ambiance is.
As I take everything in to reflect on life. Our individual life experiences shape us into the people we are today. We had spent far too much worrying about fitting in when each was built differently. As we yearn to conform to what everyone is doing socially, we lose ourselves or bury down in our shades. We should dare to be different. Being different doesn't mean seeking attention or standing out for the sake of it but instead embracing authenticity. We live life aligning with our values and passions, acknowledging individuality's beauty, and seeing it as a gift to be shared with the world.
I was introspective again as I watched the golden sunshine illuminate everything around me and how the shadow danced with the leaves. The leaves rustled in the gentle breeze, and the birds chirped a symphony in the background.
The sun was starting to set past noon, signaling that we must leave and return to the celebration.
And we were back at the birthday party.
KAHOY in our dialect means WOOD. All photos are from the author.