Beyond the Fale — It’s the little things.

Catriona Black
Sep 1, 2018 · 2 min read

When I was unpacking our boxes I came across a little espresso maker, a parting gift from a friend of mine back in Australia. As I pulled out that little, silver beauty; so simple in design yet so sophisticated — my heart lifted. After a full day unpacking crap that I didn’t need (like a million cups and mugs “just take them you never know you might need them” — yeah like never!) I held that beautifully designed gift in my hands and smiled.

I placed the tiny espresso maker on the stove top and left it there as a symbol of joy.

That week, I took a trip to the supermarkets to do the shopping and there I stood in the coffee and tea aisle staring, looking, yearning to be able to make my own coffee.

I picked up an expensive packet of ground coffee and through the packaging I could smell it; heavenly scented, sweet coffee.

I don’t care how much that coffee cost me, when I got home I unpacked the shopping and made myself my first cup of real coffee and it was lovely.

Written by

Expat living and working in Samoa, critical pedagogue, explorer of words and worlds.

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