Da-Eun is a befitting name, I chose this as I do not know his name and being inspired an fascinated by Korean Dramas, I reckoned that Da-Eun meaning kindness is a good south Korean name.

So far, I have only met him twice, He caught my attention because he looks like a PhD student in something sophisticated like Mathematical engineering, computer science or quantum physics. This may sound like stereotyping or pigeonhole thinking that all Asians are brilliant in either mathematics or IT and that family honour plays a very important role in their lives. to my defence, he really does look like someone who could solve your computer issues just with a few clicks. Da-Eun is approximately one seventy centimetres tall and a bit chubby. He has the usual Asian fair to light tan skin tone, with short, black straight hair. His face is round and complemented by the chestnut brown, almond shaped eyes with a straight nose and thin flattened lips. He has full dark eyebrows and is quite pleasant to look at.

Trier city centre vibrates with overpopulation on Saturdays from midday on. It is as if everyone wakes up at the same time with the same intentions of slandering through the city centre. However, driving to and from the city centre is the most pleasant in the early hours of the morning as most people are sleeping in or taking long breakfasts.

the parking spot on the left side of the parking house next to the light grey Volvo X40 parked right next to the exit seems promising. I front park my car, leave my belongings inside taking only my car keys with me. I rush the five steps down the staircase, turn left towards the emergency car entrance and right towards the villa. I say the usual good mornings to the bystanders who are either smoking or taking together in small group as I make my way inside towards the Kitchen. I greet my two colleagues and put on my green-grey Kittel as we exchange pleasantries. Before we could get deep on the conversations, the request start pouring in, “the coffee is out”, “the milk is also out”, “there is no sugar left” “could I please have a spoon” On and on we work, asking to clarify and serving as friendly and quickly as possible.

We wipe, wash, clean and continue with the serving just like in any other restaurant I worked at during my student years. the customer is king and so their wishes are our uttermost priority. Da-Eun comes approximately thirty minutes to closing time when the rush has subdued and we are in the process of cleaning up. He doesn’t drink any of the readily available coffee or try to interact with anyone else. As usual he has his backpack with the plastic container with a green lid.

Almost in a whisper, he gently lean forward and asks what we have. Today, we only have rice, courgetti spinach, potatoes, boiled pearl barley and some clear vegetable soup. He poses to think for a while then hands me his container. I raise the serving spoon and wait for his nod before I diligently place the food in his container. When the container is almost full, he leans forward and in a whisper inquires if there is any meat or eggs left, I shake my head and inform his that we only have ham and cheese for the evening bread. He stands there contemplating when I asked him if he would want to have some. He nods and smiles and thanks me with a small bow.

While placing the now full container back to his backpack we are startled by a yell from sitting arrangements in front of the counter. An elderly man was seated at the table eating his soup and yelling at Da-Eun to say thank you. “You have to say thank you” he yells at him again. Da-Eun looked perplexed and didn’t seem to know what to do. I replied that he had said his thank you. Da-Eun offers me a small smile, bows again, takes his backpack and quickly heads out. I stand there still wondering how he came about a place like this . The social kitchen.

Written by Nessa

Foto von Dose Juice auf Unsplash