Strasbourg, France, 3/26/09
Life can be stressful.
And living in a city, an American city, arguably creates a more fast-paced lifestyle.
Coffee to-go, online grocery shopping, 30-minute lunch breaks, traffic, crowds, deadlines, the list goes on.
I just returned from France again last month, where the pace of life is slower, and I saw the similarities to Noe Valley. In both places, local coffee shops are the backbone of daytime social life. People spend hours there, taking a break from responsibilities and seem content to just exist in the moment.
Bernie's coffee shop, in particular, has been my base here. It's a good place for people watching and eavesdropping on Noe Valley gossip. I'll go here to gather my thoughts, re-write my notes or to write a story. It reminds me of the Bistro Au Relais in Montmatre, Paris.
Here at Bernie's, I'll sometimes forget what I'm supposed to be doing and just vegetate in the sun on those green benches. Surprisingly, I haven't been run over by any SUV strollers either. (I really don't get the double strollers with massive tires. You're going to a coffee shop, not off-roading).
<---watch out (http://imperviousone.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/suv_stroller.jpg)
Anyway, I like this cafe because from my experiences, the people have a friendly energy. If you're overwhelmed, wanna chat with someone, or need to chill, it's a good place to go.
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