On this cold, dry, post-X-mas Monday, two of us visited the former Green Beans shop next to the Screen Door.  We had visited 10 months ago when the new owners were in the early stages of their Indonesian/SE Asian-themed modifications, and are glad to report that they’ve been extremely successful at their improvements so far.  As hang-out specialists, we’re usually drawn to amenities that help stimulate discussions; often they includes lots of window space, a variety of softer chairs, and attractive art, for example.  Visiting Kopi reminded us that an atmosphere that can transport us to a new culture, is equally effective for stimulating our interactions.  So simple eastern curtains, a respectful interesting altar, wooden chairs, and SE Asian music in the background, assisted us in jabbering on for over an hour.

Today’s topics included a continued analysis of the election that went awry, comparisons of each’s holiday traditions, updates on each’s children, aches, and music playing, and travel plans – with H next week going to Colombia to see a friend who 21 years ago his family had hosted when she was an exchange teenager, and T going to New Jersey in the spring to meet face-to-face his birth siblings for the first time.

2327 NE Burnside         http://www.facebook.com/KopiCoffeeHousePDX