Insights from a Coffee Shop

So I’m sitting here in one of my favorite coffee shops in the city as I write this blog. This is what I am seeing; the movement of the city, the leftovers of snow on Vitosha after a short winter season, the bare trees that are just begging to be dressed for the spring, flowers that have made themselves present despite the drastically alternating degrees, and the yellow brick road gifted from one king to another many years ago. I hear behind me two young friends laughing and chatting in Bulgarian, a middle aged couple talking softly as they connect over a cup of tea, and a young single hard at work with his zoom calls as he switches smoothly between Bulgarian and accented English. The music is much better in this coffee shop than in others. I think that’s one of the reasons why I like it here so much. Many Balkan coffee shops are notorious for either their fist-pump club jams or American pop hits from the early 2000s. Both of which have their place in the world, just maybe not in a coffee shop. But this one normally has nice, smooth and stimulating music that adds to the aesthetic but fades into the background without much effort. No need to drown out the night club or chuckle along with some classic Lady Gaga. 

I don't drink coffee so it's normally tea that keeps me company as I work and study and read these afternoons spent at this particular shop. Today is work. March has done that thing where it just simply flies right by without my notice or consent. And because of this, it’s already time for me to start putting together another Newsletter for my friends, family and supporters back home in the States. These letters always take me much longer to make than I would like but they do give a good opportunity for me to slow down and reflect over my last month of life here in Sofia. I am not a natural reflector, I’m a natural talker. It's often that if not given the chance to verbally or at least reflect in writing there’s not much that gets done within my brain. So.. with the help of my mediocre writing skills I take the chance each month to write home and express what’s been happening in all spheres of my life in a few short pages. I can only hope and pray that each month they are received with anticipation and serve as informative and encouraging. 

I’m now snacking on some roasted and salted almonds from my local nut store called 'старата фърна' or the old oven. Cute name, huh? I am not so sure, but the lady that works there sure is. She’s a short little lady with dark hair and in her shop she is absolutely surrounded by all the nuts you could ever dream of. Lots of fun dried fruits too. She always smiles big and extends grace to me as I order my kilograms of nuts in what’s most likely understandable but not quite how she, a born and raised Bulgarian, would say it. I am often taken back from the temperaments of different locals. There’s quite a large range of tolerance for foreigners here. While I am often met with quick and harsh words as I undoubtedly and unintentionally inconvenience those around me I am also often met with great mercy and understanding. I wonder why that is exactly but am quite thankful for the grace, because I surely do need it. I’ve come a long way in my language and cultural understanding in the last year-plus but am not ignorant to the fact that here, outside of my own culture and functioning in a language that is still foreign to me I will always be in the position of the learner, and that is ok, good even. It forces humility into my life in a way that I can decide to embrace or despise. But, I think true and sustainable growth only comes, however, when we can embrace the uncomfy.