Cafe Coffee Day,
A lot of outlets across India!
Well, I came across this blog and realized I have way too much to write about. The reason being, starting with my first ever all-by-myself cup of coffee to this date, whenever I visit a CCD outlet (Thrice a day on average!), I have so many memories. I remember many of the happiest and the most difficult moments of my life having been spent with coffee, in CCDs. And, yes, truly speaking, these are also the same moments that have made me become a stronger person than I always have been. The connection that I have with CCDs is way more than that of just a customer and a coffee shop, it is completely emotional and deeper. And, probably that’s the reason why no matter which part of the country I’m in, I always choose to go with a glass of tropical ice-berg. Probably that’s why, every time I need to spend some time all by myself, I drop in at a CCD. There would be very few CCDs in Bangalore which have not been visited by me at least once. Starting with the ones in MG Road to the ones on Mysore Road, I have been to almost all. And then, in other cities like Mysore, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Ooty, Davangere, Bhuwaneswar, Puri and so on, I have always looked for a CCD. But, there are few outlets which are a part of my life, the plain reason being, I have experienced some of my best times here. And, I will remember these outlets all my life. In Bangalore, the one in JP Nagar 1st Phase, the one on Mysore Road – the very first one, the one in Davangere and in Mumbai, the one in the corner of Shivaji Park – these are the CCDs that have had a role to play in shaping my life.
The CCD in Marenahalli was officially the place where I started my first ever love story. It had all started over a mug of hot-chocolate, which then turned to a cappuccino, and then to a tropical iceberg. He used to be my friend, and we used to spend hours at this place, we used to chat about a lot of things. Days passed by, and finally one day I had realized that I was in love with this guy. We started dating and dated for 4 and half years. That was the most beautiful time of my life, all thanks to that particular CCD. However one fine day we broke off, and thishappened at the CCD in Davangere. That was of course a life-cracking moment for me, but like I said, those tropical ice-bergs were there to accompany me.
Then came my stint in Mumbai. I had put up at Dadar, near Portugese Church while my office was at Matunga. After everyday’s work, I would drop in to the CCD at Shivaji Park and sit there for at least an hour or so, sipping on tropical ice-bergs (again!). And, that was such a relaxing feeling. In a city where I knew no one, this CCD made me feel so at home. Everything about that place was warm, the cosy interiors, the sweet and amiable staff, the coffee, the corner table which I always manage to occupy (of course because of the sweet service guys in there), everything else! I used to sit there, open a book, mail my clients and most importantly, I used to be just myself here.This was that time of my life. Even on my birthday that year, I was in this place for 4 hours, having a huge chocolate fantasy all for myself, and reading one of my favourite authors. No one would actually believe me, but that was the best birthday I had ever had, because, I was with myself completely, away from the hustle and bustle of a so-called birthday celebration.
Yes, CCDs have become a of my life now. Every day, I make it a point to gorge on a tropical ice-berg. If I’m down and blue, I need to go and sit in a CCD, so that I can sort out my thoughts over a coffee. That’s how last Monday I had spent around 8 hours sitting in a CCD (the one at Marenhalli), and had spent some quality time with myself pondering upon what’s been happening in my life. And honestly, I could actually realize how lighter I felt when I was back home that evening.
And, therefore I completely agree when you say, ‘A lot can happen over a coffee’. Love you guys. Bless you. Yes, a lot has actually happened in my life over coffee.
Rajyashree Dutta
