coffee shops

so, i was skipping down the street without a destination in mind, when what should come wafting into my nostrils but the most beautiful aroma of coffee. i could say i was assaulted by it, but that would suggest that i was somehow a victim. on the contrary, i was taken into another dimension by the thought of wandering into a newfound coffee shop. the coffee shop is something quite "other than" in its function. each one is multi-faceted and has something or nothing to offer, which makes it unique from every other one. i've been captivated by coffee shops all over the world, since the revolution swept through from the west coast in the '90s (although credit where credit is due, italy has been way ahead of the starbucks-revolution for centuries).
as my thoughts are flying about this topic, i realize that i could probably write a book as easily as a blog entry. there's much to say. but i will condense for the sake of the reader, who likely enjoys bite-sized bits of reading.
i won't presume to understand the draw of the coffee shop to humanity in general, but will elaborate on my personal feelings about it:
it's a place where one can be utterly alone in the midst of a crowd. this is something i've found that i need much of in my life. together-aloneness.
its offerings are usually of the warm, comfort-drink type and not-so-heavy-maybe even-healthy-food type. and i can often sit down with my tray of goodies for under $10 (even in SF).
there are many interesting people, conversations, decor, newspapers, employees and bathrooms to engage with.
but the very topmost reason for my love is that coffee shops often throw down a huge welcome mat for the creative, artistic soul to come in. there is space at the tables, on the walls, on the floor, in the air. space for thinking, for writing, for drawing, for knitting, for molding, for reading, for graphic designing, for healing, for music, for dancing. even if all of these things don't take place within its walls, there is a space for everything to be born in a coffee shop. i shouldn't say a coffee shop, but the coffee shop. you know the one(s) in the place where you live that opens its doors for you to open your heart. it gives you safety, comfort, affirmation. and a great cup o' joe. if you haven't found it yet, keep looking. it's definitely out there (and it's most likely not starbucks).