One day, while exploring Nordnes, the neighborhood in Bergen where San Geraldo's grandmother grew up, we needed a rest and a snack. We stopped at a charming-looking café/bakery called Sweet Rain. We were warmly welcomed and immediately began talking (it's what we do) with the two women out front. One turned out to be the owner and the other was her sister. As we talked, we realized they weren't native Norwegians, so we asked where they were originally from.
"My husband and I are both originally from Bulgaria," the owner told us. "But before coming here, I lived in Astoria, Queens, in New York City, and he lived in South Dakota."
"South Dakota?!?" we howled.
"Why does everyone always react that way when we say South Dakota?" she laughed.
Well, there are plenty of reasons, but we started with the obvious, "I'm from South Dakota," said San Geraldo. "And I'm from New York," I added.
Although the chef lived in Aberdeen while in South Dakota, he spent as much time as he could in Sioux Falls, where San Geraldo was born and raised.
So, yes, "It's a small world after all."
Everything at Sweet Rain was fresh and delicious, including the coffee.
Un día, mientras explorábamos Nordnes, el barrio de Bergen donde creció la abuela de San Geraldo, necesitábamos un descanso y un aperitivo. Nos detuvimos en una pastelería encantadora que se llama Sweet Rain. Nos dieron una bienvenida amable y de comenzó a hablar (es lo que hacemos) con las dos mujeres en el frente. Una era la dueña y la otra era su hermana. Mientras hablábamos, nos dimos cuenta de que no eran noruegos nativos, así que les preguntamos de dónde eran originalmente.
"Mi marido y yo somos de Bulgaria", nos dijo la propietaria. "Pero antes de venir aquí, viví en Astoria, Queens, en Nueva York, y él vivió en Dakota del Sur."
"¿¡¿Dakota del Sur?!?" nos reímos.
"¿Por qué todo el mundo siempre reacciona de esa manera cuando decimos Dakota del Sur?" ella preguntó.
Bueno, hay muchas razones, pero empezamos con lo obvio: "Soy de Dakota del Sur", dijo San Geraldo. "Y yo soy de Nueva York", añadí.
Aunque el chef vivió en Aberdeen mientras estaba en Dakota del Sur, pasó todo el tiempo que pudo en Sioux Falls, donde nació y creció San Geraldo.
Así que, sí, "Muy pequeño el mundo es".
Todo en Sweet Rain era fresco y delicioso, incluyendo el café.
MY SELECTION. MI SELECCIÓN. |
KRASTINA AND HUSBAND/CHEF. I CAN'T REMEMBER HIS NAME BUT I CAN REMEMBER HIS TALENT! KRASTINA Y SU MARIDO/CHEF. ¡NO PUEDO RECORDAR SU NOMBRE, PERO PUEDO RECORDAR SU TALENTO! |
small world indeed! I will have one of everything to go!
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteI can't believe we managed to control ourselves that day. Had we found Sweet Rain sooner, we would have been there every day. And did I mention they served the best coffee we had in Norway?!?
"It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small world after all, it's a small, small world." That one will play in my brain until I can find something to force it out.
ReplyDeleteI have been to South Dakota once, everyone should go there at least once. (Once might be enough.)
Travel:
DeleteI've been to South Dakota quite a number of times... because I love our family there! And, yes, that song gets stuck on terminal replay!
Small world for sure! This place looks scrumptious!!....nom nom nom....
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing where people end up?....for so many reasons.
Jim:
DeleteEveryone needs to experience Sweet Rain (and the sweet rain of Bergen)!
It really is a small world, and I kinda like that about it.
ReplyDeleteNow, you know, I am no dessert fan, but these are gorgeous looking ... and I'll just look.
Bob:
DeleteI don't know how you can resist. But they do also sell their own jams and much more. I'm sure you could find something.
This meeting truly was meant to be.
ReplyDeleteNow let's get down to business with all these choices!
Ron:
DeleteWe were on our way to lunch so I really, really tried to control myself. My mouth waters now just thinking about the place. Even more magical is the fact that Krastina wrote me yesterday after I posted this and said it was Sweet Rain's first anniversary!
Small world indeed. One of my best friends still lives in Astoria Queens. It really getting quite charming with the regentrification. I love this bakery, I love small, out of the ordinary places like that...and you know it's gonna be real fresh and good.
ReplyDeletemistress maddie:
DeleteThe chef is very serious about his work ... and gifted. Everything in the place is freshly made in their huge open kitchen. The best!!!
Everything looks SO good!
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteWe ate our way through Norway. I could have gained 10 pounds at Sweet Rain. I need to go back!
Amazing koinkidink! And I would have loved it, too. The people look charming and the food is out of this small, small world! Great story, Mitchell!
ReplyDeleteElaine:
DeleteSo funny. NYC and South Dakota. Who would have imagined. And what a find. I immediately told everyone in the family about Sweet Rain. One cousin was just about to move into the neighborhood.
I love these coincidences! That place looks wonderful, too.
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteWhat a find and what a magical connection. SO incredibly good and a beautiful, uplifting space.
So artistic; it all looks amazing. But what happened to the groom on the cake? Or maybe it's a "no wedding" cake?
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteUntil I posted the photo, I hadn't even noticed the empty pair of shoes!
So many tasty treats. So little time to eat them.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteExactly! I didn't have nearly enough.
As much as I hate that bloody Walt Disney ride with it's ear worm lyrics - it is a bloody small world afterall.
ReplyDeleteWillym:
DeleteI agree about the ride and song, but they speak (sing) truth.
Mitchell, it must have been very hard to pick what you wanted from all the scrumptious selections!
ReplyDeleteIt is a small world indeed. Wonderful story.
Take care.
Robin
Robin:
DeleteIt was torture. I really had to rein myself in. And it all tasted as good as it looked. I think we need to fly back to Bergen for coffee and a nibble.