The Persevering Coffee Vendor

Salim the coffee vendor sets a lucid example of perseverance. He roams like a butterfly all over Mattruah Souq in search of his clients. Serving Omani Qahwa has been his profession for more than five decades.

Salim’s affinity to  Muttrah Souq (market) made him a noticeable figure. A symbol, that adds value to the mystic touch of the place. His memory stores different aspects of the history of the place. It is at this Souq that he came across so many faces that have passed by here at different intervals from all walks of life.

His day starts at dawn. He prepares his Qahwa after performing his fajir prayer. Once it is ready he pours it in a kettle and hits the road towards Mattruah Souq.

Watching him walking with his kettle in one hand and a bucket in the other makes you feel you are in a presence of a persevering man. A man, who embraces patience as a vehicle to success. One who believes action speaks louder than words. His pride made him insists on earning his bread by the sweat of his eye brow.

The rhythmic tone of his Qahwa cups attracts the attention of the people who come across his way. They cannot help but shift their direction towards him. They become curious to discover the mystery of the old man.

Once, I was in Mattrah Souq along with my wife. I saw many people approach him from different directions.  I went close to him and said Al salam ualikum. Waalikum alsalam came the answer. Can you give me two cups of Qahwa? He swiftly handed me the cups with a big smile. I passed one to my wife and sat beside him to sip mine. I asked what is your name ? My name is Salim bin Shunoon  Alakhzami  came the answer. I starred at his smiling face and asked  him where are you from? I am from a village called Saia close to Qurriat came the reply. The conversation went on question after another. I asked how long has he been serving Qahwa? He took a deep breath as if he was rewinding his memory and said for more five decades now.

While I was chatting with him many of his Omani, Indian and Pakistani customers greeted him and asked for a cup Qahwa. You see them surrounding him as  a beehives. Chatting and joking without any barriers.  A Dutchman came close to him and greeted us with a smiling face. He said hello. Salim said hello you good and asked him if he cared for a cup of Qahwa. The Dutch smiled and gave him an assuring okay. Salim poured Qahwa and handed him a cup.

The Dutch was surprised the cup was not filled. He did not know that this has a cultural norm behind it. He kept sipping Qahwa and Salim was handing him one cup after another.

He did not know the trick of the trade. Suddenly he saw another client shakes the coffee cup in a clock wise manner a sign which made the old man quit serving him.

The Dutch became overjoyed with such discovery as if he had found water in the middle of a desert. He shook his cup in a similar manner. The old man gave him a shrewd smile and asked tamam (is it good)? the Dutch said tamam and left the place after bidding  him good bye.

I carried out my conversation with Salim. I asked how much was a cup of coffee when you started first? He said Ten Baizes but it is fifty Baizes now.  I said what does serving Omani Qahwa means to you?  So many things he said. It means independence as a result, I do not need to beg anyone to take care of my expenses. It means avoiding being lonely. I spend all day mingling with people. Serving them, Joking with them and feel human.  Humanity does not have boundaries after all. It is we who create and magnify them in our heads. I left the Souq full of admiration and respect for such a personality. This man exhibits a living example of positive thinking. His emotional intelligence made him bear the blows of his time.

His perseverance, commitment and devotion for serving Omani Qahwa made him endure the heavy burden of life. His extended years of serving Qahwa made him believes that success is largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go. 

On the way back home I asked myself what if everyone follow suit and embrace his persevering spirit to realize his dreams. I am sure each one will live in harmony, peace and congruence with himself.