Since I came back to South Africa the one thing that has REALLY irked me has been BAD service. I was especially appalled by it because whatever service was rendered was being paid for, so I just didn't get why someone would give me a dirty look or mumble at me for asking them to do their job. I mean seriously, it's not like I was asking for too much. You get me something, I pay for it... Simple... I got the feeling that some people just wanted to get paid without doing their expected part. As sad and embarrassed as I am to say this; I'm sure I'm not the only one who's experienced this in Mzantsi. I was soooooooooo "over it"!
But you know, a couple of weeks ago I came to Cape Town. Boy was I happy! I just LOVE Cape Town... Just by the way... Anyway, this Thursday my sister Sisanda and I decided to go out for dinner. We thought hey we always go to Cavendish so let's change things up and go into the CBD. So we opted for a restaurant called "Addis in Cape" (41 Church Street). We had been thinking of John, a friend of mine who's sister hooked us up with some mean Ethiopian dishes that our mouths were watering for more of that cuisine. So off we went to Addis in Cape. 
From the moment we stepped in we felt so welcomed. We kept looking at each other smiling because of how kindly we were being treated. The atmosphere was relaxing as we were soothed by the beats of African Jazz. The lights were turned down low but the paintings and wooden pieces and decor gave a warm ambiance with their yellow, orange and red tints. It felt like home.
We got shown to our table (which actually looked so cool) and were given our menus. There was so much to choose from that I had no clue what to eat... Literally. Eventually I asked "Algueros Cosmos the 3rd" (that's the name he gave us by the way though it was different from the name tag he was wearing) whom we assumed was the floor manager, to choose for me. What an excellent choice he made! I forgot what he ordered for me (I think one was lentils based and one was chick peas) but I can assure you it was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. Yho! It was worth every cent. Here are the before and after pictures just to show you how amazing the food was:
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| Before |
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| After |
It was not only because of how good the food tasted but how excellent
the service was. The entire experience was just incredible. I really had a taste of Africa. Our very handsome waiter was Elias. He's only been doing his job for the past 2 months but what a joy he was. I thought to myself now why can't everyone just do their jobs as cheerfully as this young man? He really made it such a pleasure to be there. Sure everything he did for us was what he did for everyone else but because he did it with all his heart, it made us feel really special. He smiled, chatted a bit telling us about himself, where he's from and how he's finding South Africa so far. He washed our hands but was so patient with us (well, me to be honest) wanting to take pictures at every moment because each moment was a totally new experience for me and I wanted to capture it. He's quite a poser so check him out... See? He does this for hours for
hundreds of people that come in and out of the restaurant... It's tiring... And maybe he has his own issues going on and yet he still does it with a smile on his face. And that makes a world of a difference. He was really awesome and I was so thankful to have him. I learned an object lesson from our experience with "Algueros" and Elias: There were loads of people in the restaurant but these two gentlemen treated my sister and I as though we were the only two customers they had. When they were with us they gave us their time and undivided attention as though they had nobody else to serve that evening. We were all they saw... In the same way there are millions of people on earth and yet God treats each and every single one of us as though we are the only person alive on earth. When we come into His presence He gives us all His attention giving us top priority as though nothing or no-one else existed in that moment we come to Him. God is good...
After we ate my sister wanted to try out some Ethiopian coffee so she placed an order. Just when we thought things couldn't get better Elias rocks up with this tray bubbling with smoke. Our jaws dropped to the floor as we simultaneously shouted "Whoa! What's that?!" We were expecting to see a regular cup of coffee but what arrived was such a masterpiece. Too cool! I have no words to describe it so I'll let the pictures do the talking. Oh and bonus; It came with popcorn! Imagine that! So yes, I learned yet another object lesson: God has so much in store for us and the best is yet to come. When we think this is what we're going to get, He gives us something bigger and better. He gives us exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ever think or imagine. If that's not good, I don't know what is. I can't wait to see what He has for me.
Time flew by and we had to say goodbye to our Ethiopian experience and come back to the "real world"... But I can tell you this much; I will never forget our night out at Addis in Cape. Memories made there are definitely ones to be cherished. I can't wait to go there again. If you would like to visit Addis at Cape I HIGHLY recommend it... Like, HIGHLY... I can assure you you'll love everything about it... Visit their website on www.addisincape.co.za PS: Did I mention that my sister and I were the only black people there that night that weren't staff? Maybe it was just that night but I challenge and encourage "darkies" to try out new things, new places, new food, new cultures, new experiences... Cape Town is so alive... Explore it...
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| Us with "Algueros Cosmos the 3rd" |
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| Even the bill came in cute packaging |
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| Us with Elias |
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| Cheers...
Until next time... So let it be written...
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