 Day 16: Little Gem Hangout (from the car) |
Just like everyone in Seinfeld congregated at the diner, and everyone from How I Met Your Mother met up at the pub, I, too, seem to seek out a common hangout that I can use to meet up with friends. It turns out that I’ve had several favorite hangouts now all over the world — all places that allowed for relaxed mornings or chilled-out evenings and plenty of opportunity for chatting.
It you’ve been following me on Twitter, you might see me occasionally mentioning my love for The Little Gem Cafe near my apartment in Sydney. It. is. spectacular. From the first day that we walked in, my boyfriend and I were met with the friendliest couple of owners ever (and the customer service is beyond Aussie standards).
To make it even better: the coffee is excellent, and the food is cheap!
Little Gem has become my favorite place in Australia (outside of travel life), and we often use it as a meet-up joint for both Pat’s friends and my own.
While writing about my favorite haircut in Bishkek, I was reminded of the Kondor, a place where my Russian-learning mates and I would meet up to order rather large mugs of pivo (beer) served by Zamira. I want to say it was Baltika 7, but the exact type now eludes me. Beer aside, I loved their fried lagman!
Ryan & Rory at the Kondor
Many hours after language classes were spent shooting the shit in their outdoor courtyard, a place that left us feeling secluded from the somewhat strange world we were living in at the time.
My Ukraine life was a weird one, and we sometimes spent a late (and smokey) evening hanging out at Afto Pizza since it was on our little island of Rusanovka. The pizza was definitely so-so, but the friends and conversations were priceless.
I think I already mentioned that Double Coffee became a temporary hangout while I was traveling in the Baltic countries. It was almost comforting to see the sign off in the distance.
Oh, and let’s not forget Menorca, Spain, where every weekend was started off at the awesome Vida bar.
Dig Group at Vida
Hey, they gave us free shots on the first night there. How can that not warrant a return?
There are so many places in this world that hold special memories for me. I know it is only day 16, but this daily photo and blog post project is rocking my world. The travel memory triggers are helping me to relive the moments I can’t live right now.
American girl left to travel the world in 2007. Studied languages, slept in a yurt, taught English, met Aussie guy and fell in love. Moved to Australia. Calls Sydney home. Wants a puppy. Still loves to travel. Read more 
Love this post, Brooke!
At home in Boston, my hangout was The Otherside Cafe in Back Bay, and I always recommend that everyone stop by for a grilled cheese with avocado on multi-grain bread. Or an artisan beer.
Since I’ve been in Asia, my main hangout has been the Green House in Bangkok. Mostly because it’s one of the few places in the Khao San area with free WiFi, but it’s genuinely become my Bangkok home! They have great live music at night, too. I recommend you stop by.
Finding a hangout is always a way to become more connected with a place.
I would love to stop by there! *Sigh* Hopefully next year will be spent in SEAsia
Cheers for the comment & stopping by, Kate!
So impressed that you´ve been able to keep up all 16 days. I´m doing a 365 portrait thing and I think I´ve already missed 3-4 days.
Thanks
I’m sure it would be different if I were on the road right now… unfortunately I’m not 
Don’t worry about the missing days — keep up what you’re doing and it will be awesome at the end no matter what!
Sydney does have a few sweet spots, doesn’t it? Back in Philly, my spot was Union Jack’s pub in my old neighborhood. Great beer and wings, small bar, fun trivia nights, nice bartenders and many a good time with friends.
Wings! Now that’s something I miss. I had some at the Hard Rock Cafe in the Gold Coast and it was a little slice of Heaven…
It’s great to find a place in your travels and make it your own – typically, these fore me are pubs (don’t judge) – but I love a comfortable place where know the regulars and they know you.
I’d second checking out the Green House!
Wings in Australia?! Reason enough to go back when I’m in NZ!
Haha, I don’t judge you for your pub hangouts
Lol, why do I look like I’m about to die in the Kondor picture? Or did I just have a bad case of Asian glow that day?
Believe it or not, it was the best photo of the both of you there that I had! haha. The other one had Rory yawning… I think it was hot that day? No idea, really