So I realized after one too many blank stares that the country of Chile does not, against ALL common sense, sell you a cup of coffee... ANYWHERE. I put that as my update on Facebook and my friend Connie said: "Where are you, some lower circle of hell!"
After walking into Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's, and a series of other restaurants and bakeries asking for a tall cup of coffee to no avail, a waitress finally gave me the lowdown:
- They sell an express - an equivalent to an expresso minus the "o" because that's just the way it is.
- They also have cappuccinos - the latest and greatest discovery among my people. They love it. Grandma says she used to love it as well until she realized it was all foam and now feels ripped off. She always orders an express instead.
- Chococcinos and/or mochaccinos are also widely available. Go figure.
- Nescafe instant coffee is everywhere and I mean ALL OVER - in every household, every restaurant, and every shelf at every corner store. But really... who wants that?
So this weekend I caved in full defeat and ordered an express with grandma which is usually served with a cookie or sweet treat of some kind. They also serve you soda water in another small glass with your coffee... I don't know what else to say other than I never realized the huge infatuation this country has with soda water (or water with gas, as grandma says), ice cream, and cowboy boots. Yes, cowboy boots.
I asked the waitress why she couldn't just give me this very same express in a taller cup with more hot water. Where I live, we call that coffee. Just a normal, everyday cup of bitter, yummy coffee.
"Oh... I'm sorry," she said, "We don't sell that here."
follow by email
That's bad times that you are stuck in no-coffee land, but this post was great, so I'd say that makes it all worth it ;)
Nooooo Timmy! I'm annoyed... and sleepy! I. want. Starbucks.
There I said it. I want a giant cup of Starbucks coffee with soy milk and an insane amount of that brown dirty-looking sugar.
None of that... of course... is available in no-man's land.
Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!
Fancy schmancy names for common coffee. Everyone needs to feel upper crusty. To me, it will always be just coffee.
Funny how we take some things for granted ... I'm trying to get off the stuff myself but every time and I only have an espresso, I get a blinding headache the next day. Yeesh. What is a girl to do???
Good luck with your coffee purchases Cindy ... and enjoy the rest of your time in Chile!
More pictures please! Some of us are living vicariously through you right now!
It's cool to see you are having such a good time but no coffee. I don't know.
Hi Matty! I wish I could get some non-fancy schmancy coffee!
Sandy... good heavens girl. I'm in awe of all of this. It's funny... but really annoying!
Zoe... I'm so very much trying to enjoy it, but you're right... with no coffee... it's tough! I'm caving in and drinking Nescafe and I might as well have an express... with no "o".
you made me laugh.
there was some time, when the american coffee, or the italians type were not available in Egypt too. that was quiet few years ago. i hated it, but the usual nescafe was the only option.
i love the taste and smell of coffee, especially when mixed with little chocolate.
come and join me in Costa, Cairo :)
You have a very good blog that the main thing a lot of interesting and useful!hope u go for this site to increase visitor. BTW keep blogging!!
Do you realize that you could single handedly revolutionize the culture of Chile if you opened a coffee shop? If you really want to take it to the next level, sell doughnuts, too! LOL
And just for kicks, make sure to serve Cuban coffee, too... with the little side windows, bad attitude, and everything. hahaha :D
I'm telling you, that if we were to open a coffee shop with low-cost high-end NON-instant coffee right smack in the middle of Santiago we'd be kissing our financial woes GOOD THE HELL BYE. My people are crazy! Where's the damn coffee?@??@?