The Friendliest Place in Town

For the past year I've known what a delightful place Cafe 37 West is. It's between my wee house and the college campus in Galway and it has the best coffee there is around. But that's not the only reason I go there. No, it's so many other things. It's the great homemade food.

And the attitude on life that is everywhere you look. 

But most of all...it's the people! The friendliest, happiest staff you could ever imagine.

You know you've spent a lot of time there when you find yourself listing them in acknowledgements for your dissertation.

This past week I stopped in for my usual Americano with a bit of cream, and was astounded by the crowd. I can't remember it ever looking so busy. But I was reminded that it did look like this, just about this time last year. Because this is what it looks like every September...with every new generation of customers as school is set to begin. I feel lucky to have been here long enough to get to know them all.