The
International Love Cafe Vol.2
By Dannette Lambert
In keeping in line with the theme of international love, IÕve chosen
to write this month's article about what is closest to my heart; IÕve
chosen to write about Koba.
It seems an easy subject. What place in Hiroshima do I know more intimately?
What subject could I be better versed in at the moment? IÕve found
an excuse (as if I needed one) to drop in almost every weekend and many
weekdays. My picture has been pasted on KobaÕs walls, my food served
on KobaÕs plates, and some of my happiest memories have been created
in its intimate, cozy environment. It is my home, the place that I
go
to when I need to feel safe, where I know I will find laughter and
friends and always be welcome.
Words could not express the love I have
for Koba and the people contained within. Yet, finding them is exactly
what I have to do. Where do I
start? Can I speak of a place where I have always been made to feel
normal,
in a world where I always seem to be considered mezorashii (Literal
translation: rare, mysterious. My translation: freak)? The sincerity
of my emotion
is exactly where the danger of expression lies.
In writing about
what I love I run the risk of sounding cliche or embarrassing the
people I
would hope to honor.
Of course, I know that I am not the only person
who feels this way about Koba, as evidenced by the slew of regular
costumers that
grace
its walls.
Nowhere was this more obvious than at KobaÕs one-year anniversary,
when all of HiroshimaÕs hipsters came out to congratulate Bom
on the culmination
of his dream. Spanning two days and including a birthday celebration
for barman Kenta, the party packed Koba beyond capacity and the
feeling of intimacy was compounded by the fact that you couldnÕt
move through
the bar without touching someone. Both evenings had the feeling
of a family reunion without the exclusiveness that often accompanies
such affairs.
At the center of activity was Bom, our patriarch,
a shining ray of happiness radiating warmth and love to all those who
enter
his proximity.
Watching
Bom's movement through the crowd soon revealedthe secret to
Koba's success. Each guest was greeted individually. Friends were greeted
with hugs and
elaborate handshakes that revealed the patterns of long-term
relationships. Newcomers were welcomed with smiles and warm
words.
Either way,
each guest was made to feel at home in his presence. Although
his nickname
is said to have originated from an excessively large hairstyle,
IÕve always thought it an apt description of his persona. He
is an explosion
of light, sound and warmth that cannot fail to affect all those
within his reach. Koba is his epicenter and I am happy to fall
victim to
his influence.
Love Cafe Information
The International Love Cafe has been held in many different places in
Hiroshima. It's not only for vegetarians. Dannette always serves good
meals with "LOVE", which is the theme of these activities.
You can enjoy her dishes at Paladium on the 12th of December. (more information
is on the Party Information page.) Go to the party and feel International
Love!
Contact: Dannette's E-mail address dlambert_420@yahoo.com |
