As is usual at this time of year; I have started a writing challenge with a good friend… this year we have to write 4 pieces – 2 prose and 2 poems; with topics decided by friends.
This is my second piece – a prose topic “Friday at the UWE and a bacon and tomato bap” ….
……..
They walked slowly to their last class of the day.
Maths and Stats.
Boring
Tedious
Completely unnecessary, they thought
The light was dimming. The winter Dunedin sun lowering itself for the day – the joys of attending university in the deep south of Aotearoa
The University of Otago; prestigious; world famous; freezing in Winter.
It was chilly
She turned to her friend
“I don’t suppose…?”
“yeah, why not!”
And they deviated slightly from their path and took a sneaky right up a side street…
Cheesy tomato wafted from Poppa’s Pizza; a line of hungry students already waiting for their pizzas. They could see Joe flinging the pizza in the air, as he masterfully put another dinner together
They passed The Cook, infamous student pub. They could hear the music from inside. The voices already becoming raucous. Scarfies piling in for a quick one before home
They found themselves on the main street.
People bustling around, students finished for the day, heading back along the streets to their warm hostel rooms and cold flats.
Townies finishing work and heading to their much more luxurious accommodations.
They pulled their scarves and coats tighter. There was a definite nip in the air.
The smell of coal fires being stoked – those lucky enough to have fires. The old 2 bar heaters were the norm. Heated about 6 inches in front of them – enough to melt your soles but leave you still breathing out steam
They reached their destination – probably equidistant to the lab they were missing, from the point where they had swerved
The Governors Coffee shop. World famous in Dunedin
The windows were completely steamed up
The smell of coffee, hot chocolate and savouries met them as they swung open the door
It was packed – as usual. Students laughing, chatting, stripping off the layers
One of them found a couple of spare seats at the back. She put her coat on the 2nd chair.
Her friend stood in the queue, which was fast moving – no pfaffing around here. Same order every time; the management keen on a quick turn around
She came back carefully carrying those familiar old tan brown Temuka mugs. Steaming Hot chocolates with a plate holding that most Southern of treats – Southland Cheese Rolls.
They sat; they snacked; they sipped the sweet warm chocolate. They chatted about the day, their lives, their hostel mates. What plans they had for the coming holidays
And most importantly who’s notes would they beg to borrow this week?
……………………..
Across the world
Across time.
Different University
Different people
A similar pair of students.
End of the week.
Friday evening
Rugged up against the cold
Broke
But enough in their pockets to meet at the coffee shop; have their weekly catchup; chat about their day; their plans; their upcoming break….
At the University of the West of England
Meeting for a bacon and tomato Bap
Timeless
Across all places of learning
Young scholars, coming together for simple fare and comradery…..
Remembered
Decades later
Fondly
Nostalgically
Magic
Food for the soul - welcome to my world 