Past the lush green fields in the cobbled alleyways speckled with pubs, is a quaint coffee shop. It operates in a small town nestled in the hilltops of the Scottish countryside. In fact, the cafe is the only such place in a 75-mile radius. Young villagers gathered here always sober. If you were unfamiliar with the place, perhaps you would think to order a Capaccino, sipping it slowly looking out the window admiring the busy townspeople against the green landscape, shimmering in the sun.

But, to be clear, this is not only a place to sip caffeine. Rather, it is something far more special. All the locals know it as the place for building friendships. Here, you would find the hiking enthusiasts, the watercolor artists, and even the fiddlers. All would meet at a certain time of day - sunrise, half past noon, or an hour to midnight. The shop remined open whether beverages were served or not. It attracted every local at some point of the week - for some interest they had. They came to learn from others, plan activities, and build community.

Now, I am here today on this usual spring morning - it is not sunny or lush. Rather, the land is grim and chilly. The clouds are low on the hilltop, casting fog against the shop's windows. Across the entrance is a small, wooden counter where drinks are made and sold. Right as I entered, a radiating warmth hugs me from the large brick fireplace. I sit on the washed-out ottoman nearest to it, listening. The firewood gently crackles. The wind bellows a deep, constant gurgle. The drizzle taps sharply against the window. I hold a warm cup of tea with sweet Irish cream. I sip gently and wait for the rest to trickle in. I am brimming with excitement. We have planned this week to visit another abandoned garden on the southeast side of the mountains. There, I will collect seeds of any sprouting flowers. To find the land's indigenous flowers, planted by the people before us is a pertinent task. I feel that it is crucial to preserve and repopulate the rare foliage before they wither away forever.