In the lands of the coffee, from the book, Searching for treasures
Historical Center, Puebla City, Puebla, Mexico
Now he went back, leisurely taking in the paintings hanging on the walls. They contained motifs alluding to the coffee crops, painted in bright, shiny colors. He kept on looking at all the wealth of ornaments that decorated this corner of the lobby: a diversified collection of country-style hats, multi-colored ponchos, antique metal coffee grinders, and a variety of objects that were also typical of the region. All of these were thematic, and of course, referred to the coffee activities of the area, interestingly narrating, that simple, straight-forward lifestyle of this coffee town.
But what really grabbed his attention and drove him mad was a huge silver-plated coffee machine, which drew his attention and as it underlined all the rest of the decoration of the small cafeteria. This gigantic machine for preparing coffee was in the center of the space, placed on a work station recessed into the wall. It was unquestionably, a most unique example of the so-called Greca coffee machines, so common in these coffee lands. These fantastic coffee making machines had caught his full attention since the first one that he had laid his eyes upon. By God, it is magnificent, he thought to himself.
Then and there, he decided to draw that beautiful corner, that unique niche built for enjoying a cup of fresh, steaming coffee. If I keep this up, I shall never leave, he thought good-naturedly. I will have to talk to Victor Hugo and negotiate a monthly-rate, or maybe think about a substantial yearly-discount on the room!
Pleased and excited, he went out to the street with his two new studies in his hand and sat down on the curb once more. Highly satisfied and motivated, he thought to himself: The sign, That old manor house that has been converted into a hotel, such a building and so emblematic, as it stands proudly with its green and while bold colors… it was begging to be drawn!
“It appears that there are a few details I have to work on, small but not insignificant nor unimportant. Through all my drawings, I have found that the modest, little particulars in the paintings, as well as in life, have, in general, turned out to be of great importance!”
Taking out his supplies, he proceeded to add a few strokes there and correct the shading in different parts of his sketch. Soon, that paper began to overflow with its own life, all because of a few well-placed lines and traces that the illustrator carefully drew on his composition.