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Weekend Coffee Share, Defining Intelligence
November 5, 2016
— 10 Comments
Cyclovia
bike cops
If we were having coffee I would tell you all how happy I am to be able to visit with all my invisible friends around this coffee table and around the world each weekend. Sharing a few details of our personal lives shifts the attention away from politics and impending doom. Please select a tea of your choice from the wide selection of white, green, herbal and roiboos. I am drinking white strawberry tea on ice because I had plenty of coffee earlier. Help yourself to a cup of medium roast coffee, or some hot spiced apple cider. Apples and nuts are here for our snacking pleasure. Make yourself at home and tell me how your week has gone. Did you have an eventful Halloween?
Here, the Halloween decorations are down and the cover has been removed from the wood stove. I have removed curtains for the winter to let in extra light during the day. I found some solar lights on super discount at Amazon and responded by ordering three new strings to go with the purple ones I had in the front yard for Halloween. Now my front and back yards are all a twinkle when the sun goes down so early. This somehow makes me very happy even though we may be hurdling toward the end of days of our political system. I can count on the solar energy to delight me with twinkling even if our electrical grid is attacked by hackers. I am easily amused, and that is a damn good thing. I am making the most of the comedy available in the political situation. The agony and the ecstasy of this time is unprecedented because there is plenty of information, but intelligence is hard to discern.
Intelligence has two distinct meanings as a noun. It means the ability to acquire skills and knowledge, as in one’s native intelligence. Intelligence is also used to refer to the collection of information of a political or military nature. We have a federal bureau to handle the collection of domestic intelligence. It is called the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We have WikiLeaks for leaking evidence to the public. We have political parties to dig up dish on the opponents and scorch the earth. There is no time remaining before the election to sort out fact from fiction. The assault of too much information does not result in intelligence. It simply overflows the available space with claims and contentions. It may be the antithesis of intelligence.
I voted as soon as my ballot arrived, so my focus has been on enjoying my community and friends to the max right now. I ran into an old friend last Sunday at our community bicycle event, Cyclovia. We had a great time biking around to the different venues. Her mom lives along the route, so we stopped to visit there as well. We went to the display and blind water tasting at Watershed Management Group, right near her mom’s home. We scored free tickets to a cocktails and cuisine event inspired by rainwater. We each get a free rainwater cocktail on Nov. 29. I look forward to that unique party. I think my friend’s mom may become a volunteer there too. It was a fun and educational exhibit. We biked on and ran into some bike cops who restored some of my faith in authority. They were joking around and having fun with the crowd. This is the kind of community event that unites all ages and walks of life to have a good time meeting each other. If you ask me, that is intelligent. We could use some bigger doses of this kind of intelligence.
Good luck to all coffee sharers surviving this next week. I look forward to hearing what is happening where you live. Check in with Diana to keep up with the coffeeesharing. Join us by writing a post, or just leaving your 2 cents. What is up with you, gentle reader?
model of watershed
my decorated bike
free rainwater on tap tickets
Weekend Coffee Share-Urban Pride
October 29, 2016
— 3 Comments
TenWest Festval
If we were having coffee I would tell you about my exciting week attending events at the TenWest Festival. This Tucson startup/tech conference is a tiny infant version of South by Southwest, the festival in Austin that has grown exponentially. The 30 year old Austin festival is the Tucson Gem Show of trendy startup tech parties. I have not attended, but would no longer really want to go just because it is so crowded and popular. Our own home grown business incubator has organized the Tucson festival around our unique qualities.
The keynote I attended was the one about our designation by UNESCO as a city of gastronomy. I knew about it, but was interested in how it came into being and what it would mean for the city in real terms. A well known local chef, an archaeologist, a writer, a tourism PR professional, and the director of the Mission Garden spoke on the subject. We received the designation because a group spearheaded by the archeological interest group proved to UNESCO that Tucson had the oldest agricultural history in the country, documented to be more than 4,000 years in existence. The first application was rejected, but the committee gave some guidance about how to strengthen it in order to be designated. On the second try we got the coveted city of gastronomy designation. It is much more than just a vibrant restaurant scene, as our speakers explained. Food and sustainability are big interests of mine so the presentation fascinated me. I took my neighbor Heidi to that day because she is also a food diva.
Heidi and I attended two workshops before the keynote that pretty well blew our minds. The first on 3 D printing was presented by an architecture professor from U of A and an engineer currently engaged in the field of 3 D printing. We saw examples both on the screen and on the display table of objects created by 3D printers. The capability to produce small individual manufactured products has become not only affordable but incredibly controllable. I was highly enlightened by this class because my previous understanding was zilch.
After a delicious lunch we went to a presentation by Jerzy Rozenblit, PHD, a professor of surgery at the medical school at U of A. He is developing a simulator for surgeons to practice laparoscopic surgery. This is needed because it takes time and practice to become proficient in this art. Currently this practice takes place on live humans. The obvious benefit of more training before reaching into a living person became clear when we saw examples of the training data. The students “under the hood” have to learn to smooth out their movements while maneuvering two long instruments to do an operation. The tracking device on the simulator shows how erratic and out of control the student can be on initial attempts. Over time (an estimated 300 hours is needed to become really good at this) the sensor shows the device going smoothly and directly to the target organ in the body. This work will definitely save some lives.
I took two very well presented workshops on podcasting. We learned both about the popularity and effectiveness of the trend, but the specifics of getting started. Our teachers were working professionals in the field of marketing and audio engineering. The sessions were jam packed with information, and like all the presenters they invited the audience to visit them in person or on line to stay in touch. They could not have been more cordial. The fellow participants I met were equally charming and insightful. I feel sure this even will grow. I am pleased I went to see what they are doing this year. I am proud of my city’s efforts to stay on the cutting edge of technology, art and community. The major funding comes from Cox Business, which deserves a lot of credit for serving our local businesses so well. They gave away $50,000 in a shark tank style contest as well as funding much of the activity during the festival. I am their customer, so i like seeing some of the profit be plowed directly back into innovation in Tucson.
Tomorrow is Cyclovia, a super fun bicycle event taking place close to my home. I don’t always go on my bike, but this time it starts at my beloved Tucson Botanical Garden, where all participants will be invited to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit gratis. I am a local first kind of person. I like to support my local merchants and non profits because my own quality of life depends on it. I have been very uplifted by my city this week, as I will be tomorrow biking around in summer weather with my fellow Tucsonans. We live in a fabulous city with diverse cultural and commercial interests.
I am serving both coffee and tea this weekend. Please help yourself. I am drinking medium roast coffee right now to jump start this day. There is a lavish buffet of finger sandwiches, potato salad, raw vegetables, the pickles I made last week, stuffed peppers, and vegetable stew. I picked up another 60 pounds of produce again today and can use your help in eating it all. I am starting my first fermented pickles later from the beautiful pickling cucumbers I just scored. I have fermented lots of foods, but never tried pickles. Wish me luck with this chemistry experiment. You will be able to taste them some weekend soon. I am going to focus on heavy garlic and dill flavors.
What has been happening in your part of the world, gentle reader? If you want to share, or read personal tales from writers visit our group here, at Diana’s weekend international coffee share. Pour yourself a cup, fill your plate, and stay a while. Tell us what is on your mind.
#WeekendCoffeeShare
Weekend Coffee Share TenWest in Tucson
October 22, 2016
— 10 Comments
my produce haul
my produce haul
If we were having coffee I would tell you that my quiet, at-home routine will be suspended this week. I have signed up for TenWest, a Festival to mimic South by Southwest in Austin. There is a plethora of educational, social, and artistic content offered. The week-long event began last night. The first event I will attend is a big concert in a local park very near my home. During the week my plans include a couple of workshops on podcasting, one about 3D printing, and a symposium about our special city of gastronomy designation. I may attend the final concert and the TED talk also, even though they are past my regular bed time. This will be a great week of learning and entertainment for me. My schedule rarely gets this crowded, but this will be worth the effort. I look forward to learning a lot. I should have lots to share with you next weekend.
I can offer you coffee, or all kinds of tea again this week. I am lingering over iced roiboos tropics while we savor a heat wave here. Summer is still with us, which means my big stand-off with tidy muse has not yet been resolved. I am still wearing shorts and summer dresses. It was 94 yesterday, so there is no rush to get out the winter gear. I have promised myself that the big clothing purge will take place when I do the seasonal switch of my wardrobe. I have inquired about giving my friend and neighbor some of the jackets..but that does not really count. I am still just procrastinating…in flip flops and shorts. This too will pass.
Please help yourself to soup shots. On the buffet you will find white demi tasse cups and saucers. Serve yourself from the wide selection of soups. We have sweet pepper cream, corn bisque, tomato basil, minestrone, gaspacho,winter squash and ginger, with all your favorite toppings. Add sliced green onions, crispy fried shallots, croutons, nuts, or grated cheese to complete your composition. Although it is still warm, the produce season is leading us into winter. A light meal featuring all these different seasonal delights is a great way to share this fall weather and our news. Who doesn’t like soup? Enjoy the sensuality of the season with all the colors, tastes and aromas. Hang out and tell us what you have been doing.
In the winter months Tucson is lucky to be served by the Santa Cruz County Food Bank. The excess produce from the big produce wholesalers in Nogales is shipped to Tucson and sold. For 60 pounds of produce we pay $10.00. This boon to our budget is very welcome, since fresh fruit and vegetables make up a big proportion of our diet. My partner had to work today (Saturday), but he called me while he was out on calls to let me know that the food distribution had started in the neighborhood. The scheduled start was Nov. 3, but they had produce, so they began today. What an excellent October surprise this is!!! The truck was full of squash, coconut, tomatoes, cucumbers, two kinds of sweet chiles, and watermelon. I give away as much as I can to neighbors, and then get to work roasting and processing it before it goes bad. I will be charcoal grilling vegetables for a few hours today. I love the smokey flavors it imparts to all the dishes I make with them. If you stay for a while you can taste some tomatoes fresh off the grill with some pesto I made this week. I promises to be a very delicious day.
If you want to join this international coffee drinking, weekend sharing soiree just click here. Add your 2 cents. Let us know what you think.
#WeekendCoffeeShare
Weekend Coffee Share #OctoberUnprocessed
October 1, 2016
— 15 Comments
October Unprocessed
If we were having coffee I would tell you that today is the first day of a commitment I make to myself and the planet during this month. I want you to consider trying it too. You are the one who decides exactly what processed means in this context. You define the challenge, which is not a diet, but an experiment. I have participated in October Unprocessed for the last couple of years. It is an enlightening voyage of discovery for me. Although I think of myself as a clean eater, I am not nearly as saintly or thrifty as I appear to (myself to) be. My trips to Trader Joe’s are all about the packaged goods as well as the high quality and good price on staples. I eat chips and crackers that cost too much and deliver too little nutrition for the buck. There are excellent substitutes. I have prepared this year by purchasing a major stash of good popcorn. This tried and true snack item can be dressed up for all occasions with seasoning. I invite you to join me for a cup of tea or coffee and a trip to the popcorn bar, which will be set up all month for your nibbling pleasure. Choose your own toppings, seasonings, butter, or even make your own popcorn ball with nuts and sticky syrup.
I am happy to be back at the weekend coffee share with so many of you who live far to the north of me. This week I collected a fabulous Norwegian recipe for soup and a bushel of apple recipes form some of the writers at this friendly table. I love to experience the vicarious digital winter through you. My grapefruit tree is full of fruit just starting to ripen. Soon I will no longer need my brand new air conditioner. This is what winter is in Tucson. Although I spend my childhood in Pennsylvania loving snow and four seasons I have been away from that for too long now. I truly would freak right out if I had to endure real winter in the north. Props to all of you who tough it out, drive right on through it. You have my full respect.
No matter where you live I am going to recommend that you try the October Unprocessed challenge. Taking a look at how much of one’s diet is packaged and transported at greater expense than the original food in said package is an eye opener. I discover when I take this month to examine how and why I purchase so many convenience items when I enjoy cooking as one of my favorite activities. Starting with fresh ingredients always yields a superior product. I know perfectly well how to do that, yet I am lured into impulse purchases of items represented as “healthy”. In fact, I snarfed down my last crispy rice crackers after midnight, so I have gone off the wagon before I even started. The idea for me is not to create guilt, but to gather information that will help me improve my diet over time. If I discover delightful alternatives I have no need to return to processed foods I have used in the past. This does not mean Trader Joe and I will be breaking up any time in the foreseeable future. It does not mean that on November 1st I will not return to using mass quantities of bacos (fake soy bacon in bits). Some things just make me happy. Bacos are essential to my mental well being, but I can go without them for a month to prove that I am not an addict.
Thanks for visiting the Weekend Coffee Share. Do visit my fellow writers, not all of whom are serving digital health food. You will find all kinds of hospitality here. Read, write, and share your thoughts with this international crew each weekend for a lively exchange of ideas.
#WeekendCoffeeShare at Cafe Coronet in Tucson
March 28, 2015
— 9 Comments
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- vintage bar
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- Cafe Coronet
This is a perfect weekend to be in my home town of Tucson, so you are all invited to use your transporter cloaks to join me for coffee downtown Tucson at Cafe Coronet. I have recently been told how delicious the food is, so I decided to try it. The small bistro on Fourth Avenue has more space on the patio than inside the restored space. Today the U of A basketball team is playing in the NCAA finals, so the street fashion was distinctly Wildcat as students and others geared up for the game party. The Coronet patio is the perfect vantage point from which to take in the scene without being crowded. Pull up a chair and order a beverage of your choice. They pride themselves on the coffee as well as the cocktails. Today I sampled the Orange Blossom Special with Luksusowa vodka, Cointreau, Creme de Cacao, and a couple of shots of espresso.
Orange Blossom Special
The menu offers plenty of choices. I ordered the “Bunnies”, a selection of three different salads, chosen from a list of four. They combined to create a brunch just to my liking.
bunnies salad trio
If we were having coffee (and maybe a bite to eat) I would tell you that I have taken a big leap. I have committed to writing 30 poems in 30 days as part of the #NaPoWriMo program in April. I do publish my poetry, but I have not done so here, on my grown up WordPress blog. On one hand I am inspired to do it and feel it will be a super challenge from which I will grow. Another part of me is wondering why I did not just register my tumblr for the event, as I have in past years. It is symbolic in a way I don’t yet understand. Wish me luck, my coffee friends. I will continue to write a weekend coffee post (not necessarily in verse) to stay in touch with you. I enjoy our visits and don’t want to lose track of any members of the group.
#Weekendcoffeeshare
It is starting to heat up fast in Arizona, which is not a personal problem for me because I love the heat. My senior dog with kidney problems will need extra care and more frequent trips in and out of the house. She is holding out well even though we know she has more limits all the time. I am considering a radical change in schedule to leave me more time with her. If I go to the gym when I wake up in the morning instead of the middle of the day, which is my habit, my dog will be outside in the coolest part of the day. It may also be a good way to switch things up to be poetic every day. Perhaps by moving first and writing after vigorous exercise I will come up with a new approach. I listen to poetry while I work out very often, so it could be a source of inspiration. Have you ever turned your schedule upside down for results? How is your daily grind going thee days? Do you have anything new planned? Thanks for visiting my city this week. Fly over town and check out all the flowering trees and wild flowers that are blooming right now. These flashy colors appear and fade very quickly while we return to summer temperatures. There is horse racing at the Rillito Downs today, so take a turn up First Avenue to watch the excitement before you take the trip back to your home. You will see some true cowboy culture at the racetrack. The entire city is fixated on the basketball team, so if you will excuse me, I need to go Bear Down!!!
Cafe Coronet
#Weekendcoffeeshare, Carolina on My Mind
March 14, 2015
— 9 Comments
This week I want to invite you to use the transporter cloaks to travel back in time to Edgefield, South Carolina in 1798. I want you to help me solve a history mystery. My 2nd great grandfather, John Samuel Taylor, was born May 1, 1798 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He died Mar.11, 1873 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. The town was founded in 1785, and I imagine John’s parents could have been involved. I have not found solid evidence of his birth or his parents, so I am here to find out exactly what happened. Having the name John Taylor is a serious problem in research because there were so many other people with the same name. I might despair of ever finding the truth about which John Taylor’s parents are mine but for a lucky break. Fortunately Edgefield has taken the historical heritage of the area very seriously and probably has the answer.
My life as an ancestry detective was rudely interrupted this week by a claim by my first cousin. Some of you know I do research all the time to learn about my family tree. I have found errors in the past which have caused me to start over from that point. This is painful, like tearing out your knitting. The funny part about it is the attachment I have to these people. For a while after removing some phantom limbs in the past I have missed those people terribly in addition to being vexed at having spent so much time on the wrong trail of data. I had an idea of who they were and how my DNA was built, but I was wrong, all wrong. If my cousin is right, and all the rest of the people on Ancestry.com are mistaken I have done a massive amount of research based on specious evidence. She thinks that John Taylor has a different set of parents than I do. She has no proof, but I don’t either. One of us is correct, and I just have to know which one.
The Southern Studies Showcase is an event that celebrates the history of the town. Prohibition is the theme for the next Showcase in September, and will feature moonshiners, model A cars, and period costuming. The genealogical society is the largest in the state, and prides itself on keeping excellent records. I would have a very good time dressing up in a flapper dress I already own and going to a big history party, so I think I can kill two birds with one stone in September, 2015. I can discover just who the parents of my John Taylor are, and visit a historically significant place that cherishes it’s past. I went to the Somerset, PA Historical Society to do research. I even bought a membership. When I arrived in person I was shunned. Nobody would help me and I had never been in an archive like that, so I found nothing. I had paid them to do some research for me, but that never happened either. I don’t think that will happen in the deep South. I think a trip to The Gateway to Southern History would be highly educational as well as enjoyable. I can solve this ancestry mystery and party at the same time.
The timing for me is intriguing because I recently went to a performance by the Steep Canyon Rangers here in Tucson. They play modern bluegrass music. I became very homesick for North Carolina hearing it. I lived there when I was young, and had a very good time. I bought a couple of their albums and have binged on bluegrass for weeks now. Now I have a really good reason to go to the source. So I hope you will enjoy this visit to the historical South where they do have coffee, tea, lemonade, and RC Cola ( Moon Pies and more). I am going to suggest that this week, since it is digital, we all just pass this jar of moonshine around the table while we sit and tell our tales. I am interested to hear about your week, gentle reader. I sincerely hope you have not discovered possible flaws in your research. If so, not to fret..tomorrow is another day.
#Weekendcoffeeshare
Carolina Moonshine
#Weekendcoffeeshare Maker House Tucson
February 28, 2015
— 6 Comments
This week I invite you all to join me for Saturday brunch at Maker House downtown Tucson. They serve very good coffee and tea all the time. On Saturday there is a special brunch menu and mimosas are on special for $1. A DJ plays in the courtyard, and vendors are set up selling art,clothing, jewelry, and more. This is, by far, the most hipster of hip places to be in town. Please join me outside to enjoy the warm cloudy weather. There are plenty of tables, and some are equipped with paper and tins of colored pencils for our amusement. In the announcement I read for the event art classes were advertised, but I saw no evidence that they were being taught. This may happen later in the day. I had a good time drinking a cappuccino and doodling to the music. Other drinking doodlers soon appeared, some with coffee and others with mimosas. Those on a budget could buy 4 mimosas for the price of a cappuccino, so they are popular with many of the customers. Since your are arriving by transporter cloak they will be digital, so you can have as many as you like and still cloak home. I can highly recommend the breakfast sandwich on the house made croissant. Everything I have ever ordered here has been fresh and delicious. Next time I plan to try the breakfast pizza.
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- Maker House
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- sidewalk seating
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- indoor seating
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- coffee bar
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- Maker House
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- vendors
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- cappucino and drawing
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- breakfast croissant
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- second drawing
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- DJ
I look forward to hearing about your week and seeing your drawings. It feels good to enjoy the music and take time to relax. I am in no rush. The week has been low key. My tax preparation is in order for the accountant, so I feel accomplished if not giddy. I don’t know why I always dread the tax thing..it is really not all that bad. When I am done for the year it is supremely liberating to me. Other than that mundane task I have written poetry and attended a wonderful poetry reading by Simon Ortiz at the U of A Poetry Center. That was the highlight of my week. I bought his book Sand Creek and he signed it for me. He said he can’t tell the difference between poetry and prose. That was liberating for me and I thanked him for it as well as his beautiful reading.
Before you leave Tucson I hope you will look around the historic mansion that is Maker House. It has special murals and wonderful detail, like copper ceilings. There is a classic game arcade, free wifi, and craft beer. We love the events they host and their constantly evolving food service. Now they deliver food, coffee and beer downtown, which should prove to be popular. We are happy the architecture is being preserved while serving a diverse and extremely hip customer base. It is one reason our downtown has become much more desirable. If you have cloaked in from up north you will probably like the weather best of all. It is rodeo week for those of you who want to feel that you have truly been way out west. Head south and buzz the rodeo grounds on your way home for a total Tucson tour. We hope you will like your digital visit enough to come in real life someday.
#Weekendcoffeeshare
#Weekendcoffeeshare in Desert Hot Springs
February 21, 2015
— 11 Comments
#Weekendcoffeeshare
This week people are tired of being cold, so I have thought of a good way to warm up and meet for coffee at the same time. We will use our terry cloth transporter cloaks and magical bathing suits (we all look very good in these) to visit Desert Hot Springs, California. We will sit in warm and hot pools right on top of the San Andreas fault and ask the poolside server to bring our drinks to us in the water. We are going to spa down today, my friends, and feel much better for it. We will soak in the sun and the minerals in the soaking pools at Desert Hot Springs Spa Hotel, possibly the most bizarre place in the universe. Since this is a day trip I think this is the very best place to be in town to meet. I look forward to listening to your stories of the week. Mine has been easy. My dog has taken a positive turn in her health, which makes our family happy. She still has some frailty, but is not suffering. We are feel lucky to spend more time with her in good spirit and decent health. She is in her doghouse resting, so she will not even notice I have flown to California for a while.
If we had an overnight I might consider one of the small mineral water hotels with more privacy, but for coffee and a sun tan this is a funky fabulous world I know you will love. There are Russians and eastern Euros here every time I come, and I expect to hear some Canadian snowbirds in the crowd too. There is such a demand from the Russians that the weekend servers speak Russian and take care of the customers in their own language. For some reason the eastern Euro/Russian spa bunnies prefer this older vintage style hotel. The sister spa next door is very popular with Korean mineral water lovers. Both groups are fun to watch for fashion thrills. You will see some bathing suits that you know for sure have not been purchased in the US. Since we are wearing magic (digital) suits, it is okay to copy one that you like and wear it home. Make sure you fill up your drinking water bottles because the town has sweet, untreated drinking water that wins competitions and comes right out of every tap. It is delicious, and you need to stay hydrated while you soak.
When we are relaxed and warmed to the bone, I hope you will visit the museum up the hill that will show the story of the discovery of the special wells that made this historic spa famous. The other wonderful sight to see before you leave is Joshua Tree National Monument, just a few miles up the road. It is popular with rock climbers for the vertical challenge and spectacular views. Desert wild flowers will be in bloom now at different elevations, flashing intense saturated colors. I wish you a safe and happy flight to your destination. Thanks for dropping in on our spa coffee break.
#WeekendCoffeeShare at Conditorei Cafe Schober, Zurich
February 14, 2015
— 8 Comments
#Weekendcoffeeshare
Because we are meeting for a Valentine’s Day coffee today, a special chocolate destination has been chosen for our visit. Transporter cloaks will not only situate us in the supreme location for chocolate shopping, but also provide us each with hundreds of digital Swiss francs to spend. Prepare yourself and your Valentine for an extravagant and elegant new level of confectionary excellence. We are meeting at Conditorei Cafe Schober, in the old town (niederdorf) Zurich. The building, the decor, the coffee and the treats will be out of this world, and completely digital, so feel free to order anything you fancy. I noticed that some of the weekend coffee group is very partial to chocolate, so this should ring your culinary bell.
The niederdorf is worth exploration. I love this part of the city on a steep incline above the river. These buildings are ancient and have housed millions of coffee meetings just like ours. If you stroll in this area you will find other equally interesting cafes, bars, and small individual retailers. There is a specialty button store that I adore. For me this is a very romantic place. It is not the chocolate that attracts my interest. It is the history and the culture that have been passing through here for centuries. The Swiss are not only masters of chocolate. They are the masters of preservation, privacy, and peace. They are pretty good at timekeeping and banking too. I admire them for keeping their environment clean and their people employed. They own the last clean water in Europe, since they own the sources of the Rhone as well as the Rhine.
After our time together here in the old town I urge you to walk to the lake, then shop your way up the Bahnhofstrasse to the main station. There are so many choices for wonderful coffee and chocolate here, as you might imagine. What you cannot imagine until you see and taste it firsthand is how wild these people get about candy, pastries and all things chocolate. They do not slouch in the coffee department, either. In fact one of my favorite museums on earth is the Museum of Coffee right down the hill in Seefeld. You will learn a lot about the history of coffee around the world and see some stunning antique coffee service sets. This museum is housed in a mansion next to the lake, which itself is worth seeing. I hope you will enjoy your tour of my favorite city in the world. It has the most dense public transportation service on earth, so you can hop on a tram and zip all over town with ease…or you could just use your cloak.
I look forward to hearing the stories from your week. Mine has been sad because our hound has end of life issues. We have faced this fact for months, but the end only gets nearer. It is good to have the chance to get out for a treat and a visit with you. It distracts me from the gloomy reality of what comes next. I am over-ordering all kinds of sweet digital treats, and advise you to do the same. I plan to drown a little doggy sorrow in these over the top pastries. A little imaginary whipped cream never hurt anyone. Happy Valentine’s Day, gentle reader. May your overindulgence be purely digital.
Coffee Break in Trinidad #Weekendcoffeeshare
January 31, 2015
— 8 Comments
We will teleport in or specialty cloaks to Port of Spain, Trinidad today for our chat. We will have coffee at the inverted Hilton in Port of Spain. Trinidad is the southernmost Caribbean island, sitting right next to South America. There is no other place on earth like Trinidad because of the ethnic background and the history of the population. The Hilton is an old hotel built in a unique style right on the edge of the Savannah. It represents the upper crust, old wealth, and the oil business, a place to dress up and be formal. We are having coffee next to the window with a grand view across the Savannah. We can see the cricket players dressed in white, and those who understand the game know what they are doing. For the rest of us they are lovely white figures moving around on the super green grass. This is the perfect place to discuss imperialism, while still surrounded by a remnant of it. Thanks for meeting me here this morning. It is a beautiful setting with attentive service, quiet and refined. It is a relaxed and private atmosphere where we will not be disturbed. Do tell your stories to us here. You can be assured of our discretion. We might stay until tea time to listen to all the news we have to exchange.
This time of year the whole population of Port of Spain is involved in preparation for Carnival. Other countries have Mardi Gras traditions, and they evolve specifically to the region. When Carnival started as a celebration there were still African slaves, and later the newly liberated, invited to the masquerade. This was the one day of the year they had license to poke fun of their masters. They dressed in mock elegance and portrayed the master class..with humor. The significance of the humor carried over into calypso music. The lyrics in early calypso were hidden messages of political meaning. I remember hearing Philip My Dear by the Mighty Sparrow (sung above) when I was a kid and grasping right away that he was making fun of the queen. Now there are still soca and pan contests, and the deeper significance of political defiance through humor might be diluted, but will never be gone. The dazzling sparklers and the nearly naked parade for more hedonistic purposes now. They may know history and thank their forefathers for starting this party, but Trinis have oil now, so the past fades quickly into the present.
If this is your first visit to Trinidad I hope you will take time to look around the island before you cloak home. Fly over a coffee plant and inhale the aroma of the delicate white blossoms. It will blow your aromatic mind. I also recommend you walk around town and taste some street food when we part company. My own favorite is hot tasty doubles, a home made chick pea delight which you can request with plenty peppa for a spicy edge. Most of all enjoy these people and their outrageous sense of humor and performance. At least half of the population, and most of the farmers, are of Indian descent, so the cuisine is fabulously influenced by them. Between the African roots and the Indian farmers, the English influence is hard to find in the food…well they drink tea, but they don’t eat like Brits. Neither do most of them dress like Brits. They do speak like them, in a way, but much cuter and with more play on words. This place has managed to find a kind of peace between Hindus and Africans, Muslims and the Church of England. I think their key to success is humor. We should look into this.
#Weekendcoffeeshare
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