I've talked a bit about the Dunkin' branch near the flat. Or maybe I haven't. I don't really know anymore.
It's not in a commercial area, but in many ways it's a big branch, since it's where their warehouse is. It's also near to me - just a five minute walk on a good day, meaning there aren't the crowds that usually mill outside the TV5 studios every morning.
It's useful. Sure, there is now a Starbucks branch right beside the flat - and I've been meaning to write about it - but Dunkin' coffee is still cheaper, and you don't have to deal with analysis paralysis when choosing the food that goes with it, and I get to put in the steps, too. Except for yesterday. It's been do hot, so I decided to drive. I know, bad for the environment and all.
I've been visiting this branch for the three years I've been living here in the flat, and something felt different this time around. It's not the ever expanding food offerings. It's not that they've run out of donuts. It's not even the seats - there have been seats here for months now, as soon as dining in was allowed. No.
For the first time in three years, there were no plastic barriers in the counter.
You can imagine how weird it has been. I mean, sure, a lot of establishments have been taking down their plastic barriers - an ill-advised level of protection against COVID-19, considering how all it does is bounce things back to you. When the grocery I go to took their barriers down, I hardly even noticed. But this Dunkin' branch specifically - I've been visiting it only since the lockdowns began, which meant I've always known it with the barrier. It's become part of the furniture, and now it isn't. Suddenly the whole place feels bigger, and yet, it also feels more of a blob. Less structured and organized, more of a bit of a mess, more or less.
"Wala na pala 'yung barrier!" I exclaimed to the staffer behind the counter as I reached out to scan a QR code.
"Opo, sir," he chuckled, looking somewhat relieved.
And that was the end of the conversation.
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