Koffee Barcelona — Back to That

My favourite spot that I visited in Barcelona with my friend, Eve, was a coffee place called Koffee Barcelona. It was small and packed full of people both times we visited. Every high top table was sat.

The first time we arrived at this cafe, we were frazzled. Running late, uncoordinated, and in a generally agitated and silly mood. We hadn’t had anything to eat for breakfast and had worked out as soon as we woke up so needed food urgently. We spent the short wait in line looking at their menu, entirely in Spanish (weird?), trying to translate it so that we could decide what to order. We were also laughing loudly and making jokes at each other’s expense for not better understanding the menu. Slowly, it began to dawn on me that we were being perceived by the other line waiters. For a moment, I imagined that they assumed we were American by my accent, clothing, and general disposition. Eve had the courtesy and sense to speak in her Australian voice but my Canadian accent could easily be confused for a Mid-Westerner’s by the untrained ear.

By the time we arrived at the front, I panicked when being asked what I wanted by the woman working there. I kept noticing the people behind us in line and thinking of how ignorant and annoying we must have been to them. While Eve reviewed the menu, I stole a quick look at the lineup again and said, embarrassed “I’m sorry, we’re very dumb.” Immediate disarmament. Everyone in line’s guards dropped. A truce was called. A couple of people shook their heads vigorously like “No! Of Course you’re not dumb!” The woman at the cash register looked impatient but like a mother lovingly scolding her ignorant children for not understanding a very simple concept like ordering food and coffee at a coffee shop. A woman in line responded to us in English and offered her menu translation services and personal recommendations so we could pick something nice. We had made at least one friend. Everyone in line nodded helpfully at us as we ordered our cappuccinos and cheese and tomato sandwiches. We left the cafe feeling heavier in our stomachs but lighter in our hearts.