I started my day today grinding this up and brewing a cup, realizing how much I enjoyed being in Australia.
Not only was it great taking a family trip and spending time with my sister-in-law there, but I learned a lot about how much of a difference culture makes on character.
In general, at least around Sydney and its suburbs, I found the people to be generally friendly, helpful, happy, and healthy. Unique, niche small businesses seemed to be consciously embraced and supported by the local community.
Both individuality and fitness seemed like the societal norm, not the exception.
Quality of life felt like it was measured more in the quality of one’s health and relationships than in the amount of hours being busy for busy’s sake.
Local, organic, and handmade was easier to find than corporate and mass-produced.
And, all of this was perfectly exemplified in this amazing little cafe in Nowra about two hours outside of Sydney.
Hyper Hyper Coffee is one of the coolest cafes I have ever been to. This tiny roadside walk-up coffee stand does basically one thing, espresso, and they do it perfectly.
There are other items on the menu (less than ten), but they almost all revolve around espresso.
It is not just any espresso, however, it is specifically 1950’s style northern Italian espresso, roasted, ground, and brewed on-site, to order, one cup at a time.
Simply put, it is as niche, as hand-crafted, and as perfect as you can get.
As I grind and brew my beans, and sip my coffee, I miss this place and I am reminded of the fact that quality can, and should be, the norm we strive for in everything we do, in every experience we have, in every moment, and in every relationship.
There is simply no time and no need to settle for low quality simply because it is convenient.
Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.
Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.
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