I’ve always enjoyed coffee, although I haven’t consistently drunk it over the years. I used to drink masses of coffee between the age of 13 and 15, but then I switched over to tea, and I tended to only go through fairly short coffee phases.

Coffee in the UK has a big competitor; Tea. When King Charles II married the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza in the 1660’s, the princess brought the habit of drinking tea to the court, who would have imagined that it would become so strongly adopted by the British culture.

Tea in Canada is not nearly so popular and instead there is a strong appreciation for coffee.  French and British expeditions began exploring North America in the late 15th century, so maybe they simply missed out on the tea drinking fad, or perhaps they refused to adopt it as a sort of protest to their British ancestry.  Either way, the support for coffee over tea has resulted in a much richer diversity of quality coffee drinks than I ever experienced back in the UK.

I have noticed a few Starbucks in the UK have started offering coffee’s with various syrups and flavours added in, but over all most places just offer either instant junk, an americano, a latte, or a cappuccino. Here however there is a huge range of either hot or iced cappuccinos, latte’s, mocha’s with berries, cream, syrups, nuts, and all sorts of flavours.

For the next six months I’m going to really enjoy drinking all these different coffee drinks, and I’m really gonna miss them when I get to China, which is another tea drinking country.

The photo below is of a caramel almond latte that I am drinking while writing this.  One of the most delicious coffee’s I’ve had so far.

Filed under: life musings by kiamo
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I’ve been living in Leicester for almost 3 years now. It’s been great! People I’ve met, friendships fostered, course complete, exploring the arts and discovering more of the wonders in life, have contributed to a great chapter in my life, certainly a time to look back on and smile.

I’ve been making a point of savouring every moment with my friends here before I leave for Canada and then, indefinitely China. Baha’u’llah said:

“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. ”
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 260)

Everyone has their own treasures, their own gems which I’m going to miss, but life goes on and it gladdens me to see everyone moving forward in life.

Some are working, some are moving, some are staying put, committed to nurturing the local community, some are continuing to hone their skills, and some are searching for their path to tread.

I’ve always wanted to travel, travel far that is. I’ve seen a fair bit of Europe (although there is still plenty left to explore) but I’ve been yearning for a long time to see more of the world. To explore new countries, climb new summits, meet new people and become acquainted with their cultures and be of service in their Baha’i communities. It’s time to chase my dreams.

“I live my life a quarter mile at a time. ”
(Vin Diesel – The Fast and the Furious)

I couldn’t resist quoting Mr Diesel, I feel much the same, never really knowing what’s going to happen next. I just try to make the best of it and live one step at a time, trusting in Baha’u’llah (but tying my camel albeit somewhat loosely), and seizing what opportunities I want that come my way.  I like it this way, it’s unpredictable and exciting.

At the moment I’ve been asked to house sit for a lovely sounding lady, and she as a cat! I really miss having a cat, I can’t wait!  I’ve also been presented with the chance of a job at Starbucks in Vernon, the city in Canada I’m going to move to.  I really like the idea of working in a cafe, and Starbucks is awesome.  I wouldn’t say its a life job, but it would certainly be a fun way to keep me alive, go on small trips and save up funds for further adventures in China.  I feel so blessed.  I’ll need to say lots of prayers for thanks.

There’s been so much running through my head to blog about but its 4 am and time to wrap this up.  I went hiking and camping in the Lake District with Paul last week, which is where I am in the picture up top.  More photo’s will be viewable in my photo’s page very shortly.

Time for some rest methinks.

Filed under: Baha'i, life musings by kiamo
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