Sunday, August 21, 2011

Conversations at the Campton Heights Cafe

Actual photo of Campton Heights Cafe may vary















We stopped into the Campton Heights Cafe in Fortuna to have breakfast. That Sunday, we took a corner table and noticed only one man sitting at the counter reading the San Francisco Chronicle-- as we were.  Our 20-something waiter was wearing the t-shirt depicted below with the words, "ERACISM"  The removal from existence of the belief that one race is superor to another.  From our table, we could hear the 50-something customer talking to the cook, a man probably in his 30's. (Needles to say, we are big eavesdroppers).  They were discussing in great detail the current news events of the day, particularly the situation in the Middle East and other topics concerning economics.  Mind you, their conversation tone was not laced with what one might stereotype as Fortuna colloquial lingo littered with derogatory terms.  Their conversation was enlightened, educated and articulate.  Then, in came a couple with the man wearing Cabela's hunting wear, a staple attire of Eel River Valley men.  Quietly, the couple ate their oatmeal and discussed their family vacation plans to the Redding Water Works Park.

You see, Fortuna isn't just one type of person. There is diversity and texture within the city limits. By naively labeling the town's people as "a bunch of this and this and this in Fortucky" you really miss the nuances of The Friendly City with it's varied cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints.

Now, those stinkin' Hippies in Arcata...that's a whole different kettle of fish. 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are so right! I used to think of people in Fortuna as a bunch of rednecks ... BUT then I lived there for a year and found that there is great diversity in the friendly city.

Hmmmm, I guess I could have saved a lot of money and learned the same lesson by having breakfast there. And to think I spent all that money on rent!!!

samoasoftball said...

The big question is, how was breakfast. Quality and quanity?

The Editors said...

The breakfast was really good, in both quality AND quantity. We'd recommend it. If you haven't been there, it's a nice little hole in the wall place that reminds us of T-Bones or maybe Staton's Little Red Barn, something of that size.

Ernie Branscomb said...

I think of Fortuna as a bunch of rednecks also. Being from Garberville the rest of the world seems "Redneck". However, I think of the term, redneck, as a compliment!

Bolithio said...

Now you need to go to Bobs Footlong, around 12ish and eavesdrop on those conversations... the future of fortuna! lol

mresquan said...

Eventually I'll be able to eavesdrop on some Fortucky rednecks at the new sushi restaurant.I just know it.

Anonymous said...

"(Needles to say, we are big eavesdroppers)".

No kidding! Jeez, I'm gonna have to watch what I say when I'm meeting my lover in an out of the way cafe in "The Friendly City". It's getting so a person can't have a decent affair in private these days without it being posted all over the internet!

The Editors said...

Anonymous 8:12am, You should do like we do. Get Kome to-go and park at Ambrosini School. (Oh, Damn, there goes that hiding place)

Anonymous said...

Don't anyone tell that bigot Mielke he might draw another unfunny cartoon without having any true insight what he's talking about

Anonymous said...

You see, Fortuna isn't just one type of person. There is diversity and texture within the city limits. By naively labeling the town's people as "a bunch of this and this and this in Fortucky" you really miss the nuances of The Friendly City with it's varied cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints.
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