Alive On Arrival

 Saturday morning, January 31st. I woke up in magic city.

What happened to me should happen to every person at least once in their life. Go out on a limb and take that crazy wonderful job in a new city and just leave. Without a moment of real heartfelt consideration for the ones you leave behind, the roots you've grown and whatever mediocre social scale you may be clinging to.

There was no amount of research that could have prepared me for this place. The crime rate, language barrier, traffic, real estate prices, paradisaical weather, walk ability score- these Google gave me. Culture shock from a small town in Michigan was expected. The temperature shock came gradually. But the real shock was how much it changed me in a short period of time. We all have sleeping beasts inside of us-, creativity, desires, self expression. This city, this place, it awakens those beasts.

I woke up in a small one bedroom apartment with high ceilings. Through the window there was a palm tree against a peach two story building. It seemed too early for that much sunlight. There was something very nostalgic about the smell of that morning; a mix of the breeze coming from the ocean and old hardwood floors. The furniture hadn't arrived, and I scanned every inch of the new empty space. My Tabula Rasa.

Walking directly west, with the intention of finding coffee on West Street, I  rounded the corner and noticed a small cafe. Suite 3. I ordered a cafecito and picked out what looked like a yogurt parfait- but with all sorts of seeds and nuts, coconut shreds and granola. (to this day I have not found a recipe for it online) but it was like a yogurt mousse. Reminded me of something from a padaria back home. Then, the coffee arrived. It was my first cuban cafecito. The boldness and richness of it were invasive, and smooth at the same time. Suddenly I felt extremely awake- these shots are potent. Addiction will ensue.


My idea of perfect is bold, rich, invasive and smooth. Perfect coffee, of course...