Chance Encounter
— "Would you like to have a free drumming lesson?" asked the man next to me.
— "Why not!" I replied"
I sat alone at the Owl and Pussycat Coffee Shop at Newton Abbot Library, drinking one of the most insipid cups of cappuccino that I've ever had in my life. The coffee was so weak, with not even a hint of an aroma, and the colour beneath the foam was as light as milk. Disappointed, with the cup of Hellmare, I wondered how could something look so good, yet taste so horrible.
I was excited when the barista presented this foamy cappuccino sprinkled with chocolate, and I was looking forward to the prospect of enjoying a cup of Fair Trade freshly ground coffee at least once per week. Never did I expect to get a watery cup of coffee that tasted like hot milk.
The menu board was enticing, but I felt like I had already lost a gamble when I paid £2.80 for that cup of cappuccino, which I could not have made as poorly as the barista did if my life depended on it.
The decor was nice, but I would have preferred to have a great cup of cappuccino sitting on a rock, than having a comfy seat sipping a disgusting coffee. But hey, now I know.
The Owl and Pussycat Coffee Shop is illusory, and one sip and I instantly knew that it was the alpha and omega of my visits there.
How nice it would have been to have a second cup outside in the back garden!
With gritted brows, I contemplated telling the barista that the cappuccino was not fit for consumption. But it was such a glorious day that I didn't want to ruin my mood any more.
Then, a chance encounter of being offered a free drumming lesson turned everything around.
This video is an impromptu drumming lesson, that I'll refer to as;
"Becoming a Drummer, Day 1."
I wasn't sure if my mobile would capture everything, but I took the chance which turned out pretty well. I've decided not to edit any of this 20-minute video because it's like history in the making.
... These two gentlemen, Gary and James, were stood up by 7 Special-Education Needs Kids who bailed out on him last minute for various reasons from anxiety to a change of parents' schedule and back-to-school affairs.
We spoke about some of the benefits of drumming for those kids, such as sound therapy, coordination, and building confidence in general, by giving them the chance to learn how to play an instrument, which allows them to develop their creativity.
James, the lead instructor on the right, spent some time in West Africa, where he first learned to play the drum.
I was delighted to see this "one Love" series of drums, which are used to play the Niyabinghi Rhythm that is popular in Jamaica, especially among the Rastafarian culture.
These colourful drums and the Brazilian flag caught my eye, and these drums are for the Samba rhythms for some Latino beats.
Today must have been my lucky day because this was a one-off event in Newton Abbot. However, both instructors conduct regular classes in neighbouring towns which are only 10 minutes away via train.
They offer good monthly fees, and if things go as planned, I should have them onboarded on Hive hopefully sometime this year.
So, all-in-all, a disappointing coffee experience turned into [a drum roll]... me having my very first ever drumming lessons the Coffee Goddess becoming a drummer:)🥁☕️
All images and videos were taken by me on Tuesday 5 September 2023, in Newton Abbot, UK.
That looks like it was a lot of fun. :D
I was giggling all the way home 😁
that's happened to me, longing for a good coffee and it's disgusting, however it's all rewarded with that good music and drum lessons, good to see you in the video, I like that hat.
regards @millycf1976
Yes, just like magic, a change happened fast and I quickly forgot everything about the bad cappuccino.
Being a drummer girl is all that's on my mind 😂
Wow I loved the video, that music and the joy it gives us can overcome anything. I live in Cuba our people are musical, we make music with a can and a stick. Nice pictures. A hug
Thanks for your lovely comment.
Yes, I know Cubans are great at dancing and that they love their music. I love to watch the way they dance Salsa 😍
❤🤗
Wow I loved the video, that music and the joy it gives us can overcome anything. I live in Cuba our people are musical, we make music with a can and a stick. Nice pictures. A hug
😊😊
🤗🤗
Good thing the drum lessons saved the moment after the disappointment with bad coffee.
I really enjoyed watching you play that instrument with that smile on your face and listening to your voice even though I don't understand the language hahaha.
Thank you 😊
It was so much fun, and so unexpected. Everything happened so fast, and I'm happy that I remembered to video it. I'm still laughing, and the timing was perfect, because it really made me forgot all about the coffee experience:)))
They say that not everything that glitters is gold and definitely a good coffee is what makes it not so hard to bear.
🤗
Although at the end of the day everything turned out well, what a success.
Yes, I was quite pleased. The day turned out perfect:)))
Good for you successes
Good for you to have many successes like this always but with a good coffee of course.
Sorry about the coffee experience, it would be had to believe that despite the good-looking interior work, they don't serve a satisfying coffee.
Above all, your bad coffee experience ended with a lovely teaching lesson. I play the local drum as well, I started at age nine because of the church I attended then.
I haven't played in like five years but I can still do my thing if I grab a drum... I enjoyed watching about four minutes of the video, the practice will definitely be beneficial for the kids.
Thank you 😊
Do you also know how to make drums?
He showed us a little DIY method of using old chlorine buckets to play the drum for those who don't have drums at home.
I think playing the drums is an excellent hand exercise and helps with coordination:)))
Free drumming lesson? I'd love to, a lot!!!!!!
ps. the start of your post made me remember the beginning of funny Robert Sheckley's short novel 'The Limit of our Desires' - which starts like this; 'Every citizen of Big New York knows -- if you are promised something for free, later you still will have to pay somehow...'
https://images.ecency.com/p/NTy4GV6ooFRmaCXZ8UYgPhoud1kjiNX8QokLEZtbBKLuLWQ9yt7K3o4PHpn5EqeHEZsbiJkNf9rdSwY9sNT2szgDcmuc9XjdJYCohmUbeFLysScJF74T92KERYmz2mkFSwRdzF9vK4xjBtEJGReXMJawP2efGewhNGzjB9An.webp?format=webp&mode=fit
Maybe you pay for it with the taste of this capuccino?... indeed, sad, it looks amazing on your pic.
Here s a little consolative Hive !PIZZA to you ☘️
I can't remember having a coffee that bad and it makes me more sceptical about trying new coffee shops.
I noticed that everyone who came in ordered English tea, so maybe that was my mistake. However, their coffee Ads look amazing.
Yeah, I definitely paid for it 🤑😏
I feel better for the pizza
😏
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@qwerrie(1/5) tipped @millycf1976
How are you dear friend @millycf1976 good morning
There is nothing more unpleasant than a flavorless coffee, since those of us who are used to drinking it, what we like the most is its flavor and its intense aroma.
What a pity that in a place as nice as that, they sold bad, low-quality coffee, luckily it wasn't all bad, judging by the video, the drum lessons have been very good. It would be great if you could incorporate these artists to #hive
have a nice day
Hello @jlufer
Yeah, it's all style and no substance, which is a real shame because the location is perfect.
I'm really hoping that they guys will join Hive too. I'm gonna follow up with them.
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day:)))
Why not indeed! This is so awesome, Milly. Indeed, lucky thing the encounter saved the terrible coffee (love how you tell the story, btw) xD Bad coffee...it happens. Random drum lessons, much less, and you seem to be having a great time (not a bad drummer, also!).
Thanks 😆
It was the best experience that I had in a long time, and it made me wonder how I never played the drums before... not even the steel drums that were so popular at the resorts where I worked many moons ago.
Btw, the girl next to me looked a lot like you. I had to do a double take. She also has a nose ring just like yours 😊😁
I see steel drums in many of the "big cities" especially in tourist areas -- they're seeming a little overrated to me, maybe because of the whole touristy thing. Regular drums, though, seem pretty fun. Great way to release energy, it seems, too.
I will neither confirm nor deny possible sightings xD
Hehe! Lots of similarities, except "Razor-sharp"😉
Enjoy your holiday:)
You didn't see it coming, but last coffee conversation gave you an omen! It was written that you were going to get that cup of hellmare, ha ha.
But I'm sorry, I am; £2.80 for a cup of hellmare is about $3.5. Too much even for a cup of decent coffee in my opinion. It's shame because the place is beautiful and with a nice vibe.
The Coffee Goddess will soon become a drummer, officially. Looking forward to it!
I was laughing and thinking the same thing there.
Yeah, I think it's expensive to have a cup like that regularly, so it's super annoying when it's that bad.
I will continue to go to my regular place that's cheaper but good coffee. It's called Greggs, and it's like a quick take-away or dine-in outlet, so they serve in paper cups. However, it's a much better experience.
It's a real shame what you say about the look and vibe of the place, but yes, I'm looking forward to having more drumming lessons:)))
The richness of coffee can be felt from sitting here in Pakistan <3 Keep the drumming <3
Yeah? I'm amazed!
I'm hoping to:)
It just goes to show that even bad coffee brings its rewards :)
What a cool afternoon you must have had! I would love to have a free drumming lesson 😄
I'm telling ya 😆😊
If ever there's an opportunity for drumming lessons, you should definitely go for it:)))
That coffee sounds very dissapointing. I hate it when that happens. The drum session sounds fun though. The kids loss is your gain.
Hehe! Yeah, I couldn't believe my lucky day 😊
Playing the drum was way more fun than I ever imagined:)))
Glad you got on a "drumroll" after a bad cappuccino experience. That first cup sometimes sets the day. Only thing worse is having none.
Hehe! Yeah, the "drumroll" saved my day this time. Not coffee.
Have a great day:)))
I watched some of the video those smiles surely wiped away that bad experience and truly saved your day. Have a great day as well 😊 Only one cup for me today (though my cup is big, hehe). I need to share my coffee experiences, soon it's on the radar 😉
Yeah, pop on over at any time 😉