A sunny day in May. Freshly squeezed orange juice, a steaming cup of coffee and a table right in front of the Kaffihúsið at the port promenade undir Bryggjubakka in Tórshavn. On the opposite hillside: White, red and yellow houses, protected by red, green and black roofs. Close enough to touch: Walkers wearing sunglasses, jonquils in flower boxes and boats bobbing on the water.
At the same time, seagulls circle in the sky, setting up sharp cries, accompanied by the sound of a ship’s horn. A sunny day in May on undir Bryggjubakka: A little girl passes by, wearing a silver sequin cap, followed by a ginger-haired woman. An idea rushes into my mind: undir Bryggjubakka – La Croisette of the Faroe Islands? Maybe a bit exaggerated, but nevertheless somehow related. Now more than ever, since this guy with a mysterious briefcase has shown up at the marina.
A conspiratorial handover of money, I imagine. Millions, trillions, picked up by some drop-dead gorgeous blonde? The guy puts the briefcase on a bench and gets on the phone. Who is at the other end of the line? A hitman or the cold-hearted blonde? I’m holding my breath. Next, suddenly, a bearded man blocks my view, pulling some buggy behind him, like a dog on a leash. This single moment of abstraction is all it takes. Just as I’m able to focus on the mysterious briefcase again, it’s gone. Along with the guy and his cellphone.
Time to return to reality. From the interior of an ashtray, an abandoned cigarette sends out smoke signals. Two more guys with a case arrive on undir Bryggjubakka. Henry á Fríðriksmørk and Rani Lamhauge Beder, getting ready for the game of backgammon. I get up from my chair in order to fetch another steaming cup of coffee. A sunny day in May on Faroe Islands, outside temperature about 10 degrees Celsius. Girls walk by, wearing sneakers, no socks. What a lovely way to start the 2016 summer season.
Takk fyri, Henry and Rani, for letting me take your picture. See and be seen: Kaffihúsið or Kafe umami