My mind was filled with a cacophony of thoughts and worries. The weight of responsibilities at work and family, the troubles of personal relationships, and the future uncertainties all weighed me down. I longed for a moment of respite. A moment that I can escape into another world, to lose myself in the pages of a book.
I was running some errands near the Capitol. It had been a while since I last went to the area. While strolling around, I found myself standing before the doors of Cafe Talk Library. The sign outside promised a cozy atmosphere, a warm cup of coffee, and shelf shelves of books to peruse. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
I went to a table in the corner and sat down after I ordered a breakfast meal and some coffee. While waiting, I was curious about the nooks and private spaces in the cafe. I stroll for a while and take some photos of the place. I was staring at and reading the doodles on the walls. The writings were funny, romantic, and sarcastic. At first glance, the doodles seemed to ruin the aesthetics, but they added a story to the space as I looked closely.
The barista called my name as my orders were up for grabs. I returned to the counter and sat down at the corner table. It was still early, and only a few customers were there. Some nooks had people, while the majority were empty. But before that, I checked the bookshelves to see if they had something good to read. I decided not to grab one but go over with my tab to read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. I had read it before, but it was the perfect book to dive into on this particular day while buying time at the cafe until my appointment around the area.
As I sipped my coffee, I delved into the book's pages. The story of Santiago, the shepherd boy, who embarks on a journey to discover his true purpose, captured my imagination. The words flowed seamlessly, and before I knew it, hours had passed by. The hum of voices around me faded away, and I was enveloped in a peaceful cocoon of solitude.
As I read, my mind began to wander. The story of Santiago made me reflect on my own life journey. Had I been chasing my true purpose, or had I been following a path laid out by others? The questions that had been nagging at me resurfaced. What was I doing with my life? Was I happy with where I was? What did I truly want to achieve?
As my phone alarmed to notify me of my appointment, I realized that I had found a space to be present, reflect, and connect with myself in a way I had not done in some time. I had lost in the book and lost track of time. It was as if the Cafe Talk Library had become a sanctuary where I could escape from the world's chaos and be for a moment.
But as I bookmarked the reading page, turned off my tab, and looked around, I realized something surprising. The cafe's warmth, the coffee's aroma, the armchair's comforting embrace – they were all still there, just as before. Yet, they had become an added sense of my journey and experience as I indulged in my readings.
The experience had been more than just reading a book in a cafe. It was an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with myself, recognize the beauty in the little things around me, and appreciate the value of stillness in a world that constantly demands my attention.
As I left the cafe and walked through Escario, my mind was quieter, and my heart lighter. The weight of the world did not seem so heavy anymore. I was now calmer and ready for the appointment. I realized that the key to navigating the chaos lay not in how we run away from it but in embracing the moments of stillness and connection it offered.
At the Cafe Talk Library, the books lined the shelves. They became everyone's companions, each with unique stories to tell and adding to people's journey of self-discovery. And so, I reflected on the power of places like the Cafe Talk Library. The cafe allows us to drown ourselves in imagination and creativity.
Then the question struck me: "Is there another place that allows us to read while enjoying coffee?". The Cafe Talk Library is one of the cafes where I enjoyed reading a book and savoring my coffee. I had never really considered it until now. How many other places like this existed, waiting to be discovered and appreciated?
Well, that will be for another story, to find other similar places in my city, to explore and appreciate the little sanctuaries that offered moments of stillness and reflection. And so, I began to venture out from these stories until the next, exploring the nooks and crannies of the city, seeking out what lay hidden in plain sight.
As I write this story, sipping my coffee and reflecting on my journey, I am grateful to found the Cafe Talk Library unexpectedly. I have learned that sometimes the most profound moments of growth and self-discovery can be found in the slightest, most unexpected places. All we have to do is be open to them and willing to take that first step.
The Cafe Talk Library offers a sanctuary for readers alike to indulge in the pages of their books. To express the stories in doodles through its wall. It has taught me the value of stillness and reflection and the power of places that allow us to connect with ourselves and the world.
All photos are from the author.