When I wrote my book, Coffee Connections the initial intent was to share a love for coffee and how it became a tool to meet and connect with others. Since publication, the connection part has taken on a life of its own. I have been on a quest to meet people and learn about my new home on the Cape.
In my book, my approach was to have an introductory meeting with a new contact over an initial cup of coffee. Since moving to the Cape I have expanded the approach to make new connections through social networking groups. Subsequent to the initial introduction to someone I am interested in getting to know better, I follow up with exchanging contact information to then arrange a coffee meeting. Over coffee we have the chance to better acquaint and learn about each other ie: what brought each of us to the Cape and why. Through conversation we soon realize we have more in common than initially expected. Many of us have had similiar journeys or can share interesting stories about our past.
A few weeks back, I read an article in Cape Cod Explore about a new museum opening near me in Falmouth called the Cape Cod Cape Verde Museum and Cultural Center. At the time I has zero knowledge of Cape Verde but thought this sounded like a venue worth checking out. I am part of a women’s networking group and created an event there as a field trip. A group of 12 women joined for the visit last Friday, not knowing what to expect when we arrived at the small building housing the museum in East Falmouth. We anticipated spending an hour at most at the venue and then would follow up with coffee or lunch.
The Museum Founder and Curator Barbara Burgo greeted each of us when we entered the front door. She was extremely friendly and an incredibly passionate orator. Once she began to speak, we were spellbound and had a thirst to learn more with each word she shared. She became aware of her Cape Verdean heritage at a young age and built the museum contents from family artifacts and explorations she has taken over the past several years. Many of the key facts she shared were attributes to the foundation of Cape Cod as we know it. The early explorers on the Cape are tied to both Portuguese and Cape Verdean heritage.
Until this visit, I didn’t know the history of Cape Verde and the intrarelationship between these cultures. After two hours at the museum and listening to much history shared by Barbara, we each gained a greater appreciation of the valuable contributions the Cape Verdean ancestors brought to the Cape.
This visit was the tip of the iceberg and I plan to go back to continue my conversation with Barbara and spend more time looking at the wonderful artifacts she has displayed at the Museum. Although a small venue it is rich with history.
Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned that day was the importance of finding new ways to connect with others. Whether it be over coffee or just listening to other histories we begin to enrich our own lives. Everyone has an interesting story and by exploring their backgrounds we become more aware of a tapestry intertwined with each of our own lives. I felt enriched after the short visit and now have more to explore. I hope my readers will add the Cape Cod Cape Verdean Museum and Cultural Center to their bucket list when they visit Cape Cod this summer.
Wendy is a Realtor and freelance writer residing on Cape Cod. She recently published her first book, Coffee Connections: Finding Common Ground Through My Daily Brew. Wendy enjoys networking and writing to connect her ideas and curiosities with people she meets. She welcomes your comments.
