People watching with a pair of chopsticks

Sure at first glance it doesn't seem like much, but what really is it about a place that makes it a happy place?

As I sat in the restaurant that wasn't any bigger than most living rooms, I was surprised to catch myself smiling; and for no apparent reason either. I was there. At that very moment in time, I was certain that I was being present. In every way, shape, and form, I was letting loose of my senses and they were soaking it all in. Not only did I score a major deal for an ample plate of food for under $5.00, but I was submerged in the environment. To my left I could feel the sun's ray's on my arm, complimented by laughter of a large family who seemed to communicate with smiles. Behind me I had the door opening and closing as patrons came and went. And to my right I had some good friends talking to, and about, the waitress whom one of them was trying to get the phone number from. We all laughed at him and rolled our eyes. This was once of those places where there wasn't a type of person. There were only people. A lot of people in fact, squeezed into a tiny little space. When the blushing waitress brought us our food, I began to look around. As I scanned, I saw an elderly couple saying nothing. It was almost as if their smiles were frozen in time. They just looked into each other's eyes. The warmth radiated from their table and there was no doubt in my mind that they were in love. Love shows. It sticks out like the flame of a candle, perfectly positioned on a table when no other table in the restaurant has one. Restaurants should offer you more than just a full stomach; and sometimes it isn't even the stuff on the menu. It's times like these that seem to give $5.00 so much more value.