I normally post only fiction here, but since I’m currently traveling in Southeast Asia for work, I have more than my normal share of interesting stories to share.
Because I’m traveling for work, I actually have to work even in the evenings, although I’m sure some people think I’m just on vacation. This involves hours of emails and other computer work and since I don’t like sitting alone in my hotel room for hours, I like to go to coffee shops
This evening after dinner, I found a second-floor coffee shop on a main road in Hanoi and ordered a medium milk coffee. However, when they brought it, there was almost nothing in the cup. This wasn’t a small, let alone a medium. It looked like the dregs left over when someone finishes their drink. I brought it up and asked about it just to make sure I’d gotten the right thing. They said they’d bring another cup even though I insisted it wasn’t necessary.
Then I tasted it. It was definitely NOT milk coffee. It was very strong and tasted quite like . . . I checked the receipt and yep, they had given me an espresso. I had asked for a ca phe sua (milk coffee) and she had apparently heard the “s” and that was all.
It was about that time that they brought the second espresso. Not only did I feel like a jerk for complaining (from their point of view) that my espresso was too small, but now I had two of them at 8:00 pm. Of course, I wasn’t obligated to drink them, but hey, it was free coffee.
Well, at least I can get a lot done tonight.
The Green-Walled Tower 
March 7th, 2020 at 4:06 am
I nice essay David writing where your feet were. Reminds me of the phrase…bloom where you’re planted.
Maybe it was divine intervention all that coffee, so you’d get all your work done.
Milk coffee sounds urban for a Latte. 🙂
March 22nd, 2020 at 7:11 pm
It’s Vietnamese style, so it’s quite different, very sweet with not as much milk as a latte or cafe au lait. Starbucks and other western chains still have all the regulars though.
March 23rd, 2020 at 3:08 am
I see. It’s great you get to sample different coffees. It’s such a love of mine, it’s interesting to hear about.
July 6th, 2020 at 10:33 am
On the bright side, the espresso looks properly made, proven by the remains of the crema atop and part of the liquid coffee. I liked the acceptance and willingness to adapt, even if you were up until 3 a.m.