What I Like (and Don't Like) in Coffee Shops

I love coffee and enjoy going coffee shop hopping. There is just something about coffee that makes my day. It is not just the coffee though, it is also the ambience in the coffee shop, the furnishings, the layout, the perks that they offer.

I love coffee shops that are spacious and airy, with tables and chairs and bar stools so arranged in a manner that allows free flow and unobstructed movement of the customers and the shop crew. I love contemporary design so I would really opt for a coffee shop that has contemporary bar stools for when I want to enjoy my coffee alone and couches that will not "swallow" you when I have company. I would love it if the stool has a back rest that is neither too high nor too low so that I could also lean if I want to, and has a foot rest, adjustable height and can be swivelled 360° for a more relaxing sit. Something just like the Harmony bar stool.

I love it when the main entrance of the coffee shop has an impression of inviting to it... I don't mind if the shop's busy but I just don't like it if I have to wait for some 10-15 minutes for my coffee or line up to order one. Call me lazy but I like it better if a waiter comes to take my order. :)

Of course, I would prefer if the coffee shop offers free WIFI to its customers. Most coffee shops already do. It would also be great if charging your laptop or other gadgets is free of charge but I would understand if some coffee shops charge you for a certain fee. After all, electricity is an expensive commodity and if you are only going to order a cup of coffee and stay at the coffee shop for hours on end, the shop could go bankrupt because of high operating costs.

I also like the fact that some coffee shops now have a point systems or memberships that allow its loyal customers to enjoy discounts and perks.

 

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A Friend-ly Gathering

It has been four years (or maybe more!) since I last saw my beautiful friends from the university and so when the chance came for us to meet, we didn't let the chance pass us by. I also wanted to hand over the shoe box of pens and pencils I have collected from my friends and classmates at graduate school in Germany for our little project Pens of Hope in Davao, so it was just the perfect timing.

© Photo by Mervz Mosqueda via Facebook

The little girl decided to lie down while waiting for my friends to arrive.

It was a Saturday and we decided to meet at Yellow Hauz, a quaint coffee shop in Davao City. While waiting, me and little girl ordered some refreshments. After a few minutes, Kikit and her hubby Dan, arrived carrying snorkel gear... They just came from a day of snorkeling at Paradise Beach Resort at the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS). It must have been very nice to be with schools of fish, I so envy them.. Hehehe! 

A smile and a shoe box full of hope!
© Photo by Claire Apigo Guillano via Pens of Hope Page on Facebook

Anyway, before we forgot, we handed over our shoe box of pens and pencils and Kikit asked to make a souvenir shot with my little girl as the model.

After three pots of hot tea, two other girl friends, Ate Tess and Shugar (along with Sweet, her little girl) arrived. It was almost time for dinner to we transfered to Matina Town Square and opted to dine at Kanto bar and restaurant.

THANK YOU for the wonderful time! Until next time...
© Photo by Claire Apigo Guillano via Facebook

Indeed, it was a wonderful evening filled with sensible talk, laughter and wonderful company. It may have been years but it is heartwarming to know that the friendship remains. Even if we grow in numbers (family members are always welcome in the group) and we live far apart, it makes me smile to know that when we come home again, we have another family to come home to... our SICO family. :)

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Glass Nail FIles and Other Souvenirs from Prague

The capital of Prague in the Czech Republic is one of the most charming and interesting European cities I have visited so far. I loved the charm of the old architecture and the history behind them, even the eerie and scary ones. There is just something magical about Prague, perhaps because it is home to the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, who is believed to have protected the city even to this day. 

I enjoyed going to the open market taking place in the weekend, which was lined up with porcelain dolls, wood items, and glassware among others. If you want to take a piece of the Czech Republic with you, there is much to choose from. The main streets where there is high tourist traffic are lined with stores a variety of items like simple marionette puppets and porcelain dolls,  to interesting matryoshka dolls, which are I think of Russian origin but are made and sold in Prague anyway to useful items like glass foot files or luxurious glass accessories from Mont Bleu. Czech glass is also a very famous souvenir item. But because we have a child who loves to play all over the house, we opted to buy other items instead.

We stayed for three days and two nights in this beautiful city and went on a sightseeing tour. Famous landmarks that we visited included the Prague Castle, the Jewish quarter, the New Town with the Wenceslas Square at its heart, the charming Old Town and the picturesque Lesser Town (Mala Strana) and went on a stroll across Charles Bridge to enjoy yet more wonderful panoramic views of the city. 

Our visit to Prague was of course not complete without visiting the church of the Infant Jesus of Prague. Guided with a map, we managed to find our way. It was actually not difficult to find. There I brought an Infant Jesus dressed in white to place in our altar here at home. We also bought a book about the story of how the Infant Jesus of Prague came to be. 

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