11-30-14

5:15pm I walk into the café. It has been a while since I’ve been here and it’s already beginning to get dark out. I situate myself in a comfy chair near the big window in the back, but still in clear view of the entire café and everyone in it. In front of me at the large conference table sit a group of 7 Saudi Arabian men. As they converse in their language that is foreign to me, I notice they all have dark hair and scrufy beards (no shave November still in effect?). They all have a hot coffee, or some sort of warm drink, and a pastry in hand. They look like they must be a good group of friends who know each other well, as they don’t mind interrupting each other excitedly (reminds me a lot of me and my girlfriends).

5:23 I get up to order my hot cider and banana bread from the counter. I don’t really want or need either but I feel bad coming in only for the free wifi. Which makes me think how it’s never really free wifi, because you’re expected to buy something from the establishment. After I sit down with my warm cider the men at the conference table are gathering their things to leave.

5:27 Almost immediately after the Arabs leave a new group occupies the table. Two older woman, probably in their mid-thirties, and two small children, one belonging to each woman. It looks as though both the women and their daughters a good friends. The women have ordered coffee and sit their girls next to them, who each have their own hot chocolate and treat. The two young girls are probably no older than 5 and behave quite calm for their age while their parents converse about their travel plans for the holidays coming up.

5:39 At the other end of the conference table sits a college aged girl who looks exasperated and overwhelmed. She sets her large stack of text books and back pack on the table and spreads out her belongings around her seat. She wastes no time getting started on her mountain of work and borrows her face close to her computer screen. I notice this study girl has not bought a coffee or a pastry- taking full advantage of the free wifi.

5:46 One of the 5 year old girls has now finished her hot chocolate and banana bread and is now bugging her mom and complaining that she is bored. She doesn’t complain loud or obnoxiously cry, in fact I wouldn’t have noticed this if I wasn’t looking at them. Her mom, unphased , reaches into her purse and pulls out her ipad and gives it to her daughter who lights up. Together the two small girls set the ipad down on the table and lean their heads in as close as possible and begin to search for their favorite game.  

5:55       MEN: 9

              WOMEN: 11