I’m not a complex person. In fact, I often find that most people are really simple deep down. Everyone wants simple things with simple goals. The more complex something becomes the harder and more difficult it is to deal with. There is a reason why people say “keep it simple”. Simplicity is something that I think we’re forgetting to implement in our lives as life complexifies with the ever-growing world of the internet. Things become faster and faster and we grow ever more impatient with the speedy world around us. I’m finding more and more that is important to take a deep breath, sit down, and focus in on the friends and family around me. These are the most important resources in our lives. People want to be listened to and that is one of the most important things you can do for those you care about.
I feel as if Caffè Italia embodies this idea wholeheartedly. You walk into this tiny, Italian man filled restaurant as all your surroundings begin to smell of coffee and freshly cut deli meats. This is absolutely my kinda place. Cheap, quick food with simple combos and strongly caffeinated drinks that could put hair on even the smoothest of skins. There aren’t many places like this around anymore. Very few cafes and diners have that homegrown feeling. As things become more and more modern there is a human touch that seems to be missing as we continue to sterilize the areas in which we eat. Caffè Italia is not modern and it does not want to be. There is a sense of nostalgia that certainly sells some rose-tinted glasses for the place.
Back home my extended family has this casual tradition where, regardless of the time of day, we grab a cup of coffee and sit around the kitchen table or go out back in the closed-in porch to smoke, sip coffee, and shoot the shit. We talk about the family going ons and any fun drama we’ve heard about in the area. This is a staple interaction at all of my uncles’ places and even at my house. That kind of face to face interaction helps keep the bond between my family members on my mom’s side close. I got this same vibe when sitting in Caffè Italia. The older men were sitting around tables drinking coffee while being extremely passionate about their topical conversations. It was easy to see that these guys were certainly good, old friends who come here often to pass the time. It is not uncommon for the wives of these men to come to grab them to take them home for dinner at the end of the day. There is a sense of innocence to these kinds of passing observations while people-watching in a comfy little cafe waiting for my beautiful salami sandwich to show up. It is a relaxing way to start any day. I only wish was that this place wasn’t such a walk. If Caffè Italia was closer to campus or our dorms I would absolutely attend regularly.