It’s cold outside. Freezing. Snow has covered the city with its beautiful flakes. Yet, it’s never so cold for the Philadelphians. Their energy increases this time of the year despite the weather’s merciless coldness. In the streets, their colorful winter hats, coats, scarves and thick jackets are their rejection to the cold weather’s tyranny which infected even someone like me who comes from a warm country.
Not too far from Philadelphia lies Wynnewood, a small town filled with beautiful European-style houses, roads and stores. In its major shopping area, a huge bookstore resides. Recognized by its shiny white sign, Borders is considered an attraction point to book lovers and all those who adore knowledge.
Every now and then, my friends and I come to the bookstore’s coffee shop. With its brown walls festooned with pictures of coffee cups images and art portraits, the coffee shop attracts not only us, but many others like a honey jar attracting bees. It’s never boring. People chitchat, drink coffee, read books, do homework, listen to music, and read to their kids.
I fell in love with this place the first time I came in the summer. A friend of mine had classes in the summer and asked me if I could accompany him to Borders where he always studies when he feels bored studying at home. I didn’t reject the idea and never regretted it. I never stopped going since.
I am here sitting in this coffee shop, studying for my final exam week. My friends picked me up and we all went there to study. Once we got in, one might never miss the aroma of coffee, mixed with the smell of the brand new books.
With my headphones on, I am listening to some Arabic music on my laptop. The music hit me, the homesickness, the nostalgia. All I could think of is my friends and family. I wished they were here with me. And for the first time, I didn’t wish I was there with them. There is no such beautiful place to hang out in without fear anymore.
