#Cafe-peru

[colwynn-design]

[anthonybalois]

Extraño mi otro cel, pero al menos está decente. O eso creo. 🥴🫤

[coquillan]

Domingo de noche, café...

Domingo de noche con un café en algún lugar que no es mi casa. Sacando cuentas de cómo aprovechar al máximo las ofertas, descuentos y reembolsos de mis tarjetas de crédito y wallets.

"Tacaño de mierda" dije alguna vez, describiéndome para alguna flaca que estallaba de risa cuando lo dije, botándome en la cara toda la comida que tenía masticando. Pero la verdad es que soy muy generoso sin embargo debo tener una especie de toc respecto a la optimización de mi dinero... Uhmmm creo que en algunos diccionarios esa es la definición exacta de un tacaño de mierda"... Pero no lo soy... Lo juro...

Domingo en la noche, ya cumplí mi cuota de lectura... Un libro cerrado y pienso que el costo de oportunidad del tiempo que pierdo calculando cuánto ahorraré con las promociones de las tarjetas, seguramente es más valioso que el ahorro en sí...

Ya se acabó mi café... A encender la moto...

[titiconsulting]

💥LOGOTIPO TERMINADO⚡ #logo #logotipo #diseño #grafico #diseñografico #ecuador #quito #marketingonline #marketingdigital #photoshop #illustrator #arte #cafe #cafeteria #mexico #colombia #peru #españa https://www.instagram.com/p/CopYjRyu_xb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[khwxbeeda]

Date Ideas: Desi Edition

I'm in my TS Lover Era and I need some Pune date ideas so uh.. enjoy my thinking process ig

A proper date: dinner and drinks. Proper manners and polite conversation over good food and good beverages/drinks. You and your date pretend to be very serious adults with very serious jobs, and when you walk out of the restaurant you share a secret laugh as if you've pulled the greatest prank ever.

Chaha date. Standing on the side of a road under the insufficient cover of the chai stall with your fingers gripping the edge of plastic cups or mud tumblers, taking a deep sniff and closing your eyes at the smell of veldoda that wafts up. Looking up and catching their gaze already fixed on you, and looking back down, feeling the heat spread over your cheeks. You attribute it to the chaha's steam, but you know that's a lie. When you look back up, they're wating for you. They wink, and you nearly drop your cup, making them stifle a giggle.

Kulfi date. It's a crowded lane and you cram into the little hole in the wall kulfi parlour that's been there since your parents were children, excited smiles on both your faces. You order laal peru and request them to sprinkle chilli powder on top. Your partner gives you a dramatic scandalized look that has you cracking up and orders a sitafal kulfi without the chilli, please and thank you. With a lot of whining and teasing and mischievous smiles, you finally get them to taste your kulfi, and it ends with them ordering it for themself. You lean back in your chair and grin smugly even as they roll their eyes.

Book thrifting. Hands held, you walk into your usual book shop, a smile lighting up your face at the familiar smell of mogra and yellowing pages that hangs in the little room. It's a tiny shop in the basement of a shady old plaza, but it always has the best second hand books. The idea is to buy a book you think the other will enjoy, and then discuss them when you are done reading them. You pick up Ruined by Paula Morris, because you remember the three M's that your date swears by: Magic, Murder and Mystery. This is a perfect blend of all three, and you rather think they'll enjoy it. When you meet them at the counter, they have Nashtaneer by Rabindranath Thakur in their hands. You both grin at each other.

Juna Bazaar is as crowded as always. You giggle as they grip your wrist and drag you from shop to shop, rambling about their lecture in college. The sonchafa that you had tucked behind their ear is still there, and it makes something warm settle in your heart. You keep your mind on the mission though: buy three of the most interesting things you see, and then explain why you think it is interesting. They gasp and snap up a beautiful crystal vial like a magpie. It turns out to be kajal, made the traditional way. "You have to!" they insist, "it'll look so good with your pretty eyes!" You turn red and accept the little wand, dragging it between your eyelids. When you're done, your partner stares at you with their lips parted. Just as you're about to wave in front of their eyes and ask if they're okay, they lean forward and steal a lightning-fast kiss. "Too darn pretty for your own good, you are."

Camp area date! You two take a whole day to just stroll through Camp, pulling each other into random shops and cafés, looking at everything and eating from restaurants and roadside stalls alike. Your partner drags you deep into a sketchy looking plaza, and you find a clothing shop that sells the most random fashion items. You go to an ittr and perfume store. You visit Pasteur Ice Cream, Cafe Peter, the chaat stalls near Clover Centre and the barbeque corn stalls a little ways from Kumar Plaza. At the end of the day, you go home and show each other all your purchases; they bought you a bejewelled purse that goes with that one pair of your heels and you squeal over it, you bought them a chandan attar because you remember them mentioning it being their favourite smell and they immediately rub it over their wrists with a bright smile.

The two of you are tucked into a little corner of the garden. Sitting on an old bedsheet with several lunchboxes filled with bhel, samosa, kaju katli, shrikhand, slices of mango and watermelon and a bunch of green grapes. Your phone plays a familiar tune— Ishq Wala Love, and you're mouthing the lyrics in the most dramatic style that you can, revelling in the laughter of your partner. There is a mogra cha gajra braided into your hair and three roses tucked behind their ear; your little gifts to each other. Their eyes gleam bright with mirth, lips curved upward into a wide grin, and you can't help but lean forward and press a soft kiss to their lips. This picnic date is the best idea you've had in a while, you think, and the late spring flowers in bloom are the perfect addition.

.

Tag list: @mad-who-ra @yehsahihai @natures-marvel @musaafir-hun-yaaron @hum-suffer @h0bg0blin-meat @orgasming-caterpillar @wyvrens @kanha-sakhi

[jimin-updates]

As reported by K-Media earlier today, Jimin’s fans have stepped up in a huge way to promote MUSE - all around the world!

Here are just some of the wonderful projects fans have created 😍

Billboards in Brazil:

Digital banners:

Instagram reels:

Cafe events:

Fan-printed posters going up in Peru:

And around the world:

Digital billboards:

Train station ads:

And tuktuks!

TikTok too:

Plus so many more billboards, bus stops, banners, digital street ads, and cafe events!

Instead of being defeated by a lack of proper promotion and preorder links, Jimin fans followed Jimin’s lead and made their own way. 💪🏻

Thank you, thank you, thank you to every person who made these wonderful promotions possible. 🩵💛💚

[manessha545]

Ollentaytambo, Perú's Sacred Valley, Peru: Ollantaytambo is the last stop on the Perú Rail line before the Machu Picchu station in Aguascalientes. It’s also a popular stopover for the many backpackers who pick up a connection to the last leg of the  Inca Trail just a few miles down the track. Those hikers not staying in any of the town’s hostels or lodges cluster around the wi-fi cafes, lounging on their packs and checking email on their iPhones.

[chicgeekgirl89]

Thanks to @strandnreyes and @im-overstimulated-and-im-sad for the tags!

From something new that I'm working on:

Carlos walks over and pats the side of T.K.’s thigh. “Move please,” he says mildly, waiting until T.K. shifts over enough that he can get into the drawer that’s hidden behind his legs.  He extracts the spoon he needs and then taps the space again indicating that T.K. can move back, which he does, still talking. “We had a pet frog in my class when I was in third grade. His name was Sir Henry. He died on the hundredth day of school.” At this T.K. looks a little glum. Then he perks up. “But my teacher got a hamster after that and we got to vote on a name. We picked Pikachu.” “Sounds fun.” “I wonder if hamsters have a symbiotic relationship with another animal,” T.K. says, picking his phone back up again. “Hm. Nope,” he says after a minute. “But, hamsters will eat their babies if you don’t separate them. Oh! Did you know that it’s illegal to own just one guinea pig in Switzerland? You have to have two because they’re social animals and they’ll get lonely. But then in Peru people eat them for special occasions. Isn’t that crazy how different those two countries are?” “Almost as crazy as spiders keeping frogs as pets.” “I wish I had a pet frog,” T.K. says. “Do you think Buttercup would eat it?” “I’ve seen Buttercup eat his own poop. Yes. I think he would eat a frog if he could catch it."

If you have no idea what's happening here, you and Carlos are in the same boat lol.

Tagging @lemonlyman-dotcom, @bonheur-cafe, @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut, @carlos-in-glasses, @carlos-tk, @ladytessa74, @liminalmemories21 and anyone else who would like to share!

[valpoupdates]

AUGUST CALENDAR POSTING...

So much to see, so much to do, so little time ! Lucky for you, here in the Valparaíso Region, we keep track of it just for you ! Unless stated otherwise, these activities are optional. Residents do not have to take part in these if they don't wish to ! These can be used for threads throughout the month but new threads can't be started for these activities once the month is up. Please track the valpocalendar tag to stay updated month to month ( ©️ )

BUT FIRST ! A word from VALPOFM... Transmitting...

"Gotta be real, guys: being stuck in a tent at a snowstorm at El Carnaval De Invierno was not on my bingo card for July, and judging from the stats I'm looking at, I don't think very many of our listeners had a great month either. While we were all pleased to hear the newest tracks from both my sister Luna Dominguez-Herrera and great friend and ValpoFM co-host Tobias North, produced by the brilliantly talented Spencer Westin, some of you chose instead to listen to… a Nancy Drew audiobook ? Mountain lion growling noises ? Oi guëy, whatever. I'm Sebastián Herrera and this is the ValpoFM July 2024 playlist, made by residents- but listen: if you like real music, stay tuned later this month for a special session hosted by Salem West, because her new album drops soon. "

Casablanca Activities

August 1-30 : It’s not agosto, it’s aGATO!  This month, El Café de los Gatos is hosting a special adoptions in August event.  Every weekend, the cafe will be featuring different cats for adoption: staff will have poster boards made for each cat; they’lll be featured on staff’s social media; and the adoption fees will be discounted for those specific cats for the weekend.  Even if you don’t adopt, come spend an afternoon with some baked goods, sweet coffee, and feline friends.  We promise it’ll be a purrfect time!

August 3 : Inesperado celebrates International Blues Music Day with a live performance and a special dinner menu inspired by cuisine from the southern USA ( with a Chilean twist ! ). The special dinner and live performance will be from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM.  Tickets will cover the seat and the 13-course meal—and they’re going fast, so reserve your table now!

August 6 : Chile and Peru will be coming together for this year’s Global Grape Convention held at Isidora’s!  Major retailers and prominent organizations will be hosting conferences and open dialogue to discuss critical industry issues, provide the latest market information, and offer innovative solutions and strategic insights for sector opportunities.  The convention takes place from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, with an after-ceremony cocktail event from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM held at Agustín’s Jazz Lounge, and food catered by guest chef and famed Argentinian chef, Julieta Sáenz.

August 20 : Buen día, ¡Valparaíso!  Tune in at 9:00 AM today for a very special interview that you won’t wanna miss.  ValpoFM has quite a guest for you!  She’s beauty; she’s grace; she’s a star finding her place!  She’s Valpo’s very own Salem West ( @cybermuses ) and she’s here to talk to the ValpoFM AM hosts about her upcoming album, Moment! Pitchfork describes it as “a rare species of pop-soul that evokes a real sense of spiritual uplift.”  This album tells us we’re meant for more: we’re not just succeeding, we’re made for better things—and we’re excited to ask Salem what better things she has in mind.

August 31 : For Every Season sends their warmest regards and most sincere apologies to all those caught in the sudden and freak snowstorm back in July.  As the winter season comes to an end, the amusement park would like to extend a special invite to those trapped during that time ( and a discounted rate to the rest of the public ) for the last winter day of the season.  For Every Season welcomes you back with open arms; come back and make some snow angels!  Come back and make better memories!

Quilpué Activities

August 1 : It’s International Mahjong Day, and the Plaza de Sol invites all mahjong players, beginners and veterans alike, to their food court turned mahjong court!  From 11 AM - 5 PM, if you think you’ve got what it takes, come grab a seat and test your luck and skills!  If you’ve always wanted to play, now’s the time to learn, as there are several beginner tables with a knowledgeable player, ready to teach you the ropes.  If you’re just feeling peckish and wanting brunch and a show, come do a little bit of shopping, grab a meal from the 40+ food court vendors, and watch mahjong players do what they do best. Peace, love, and good luck to all!

August 15 : Los Fantasmas has scary stories, drinks, and ( potential ) ghosts—but you know what else they have?  A roller derby champion!  Los Fantasmas’ very own Poet Hawley ( @wishingbcnes ) leads the Los Fantasmas team in their very first roller derby competition!  The competition will take place from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM.  Tickets to compete and watch will go towards a charity of the winner’s choosing; winners also will receive free drinks at the most haunted bar in Valpo ( it is not transferable to other people; staff members retain the right to cut off drinks per their discretion ).  Do you think you have what it takes to win?  Are you going to be the jammer, or are you going to get jammed?  

August 19 : Cosmic Connections wants you to know that not only is this moon a full moon, but it’s a supermoon!  This is the ideal cosmic time to practice manifestation and invite positive change.  Intentions, goals, prayers, and wishes are more likely heard and supported by unforeseen forces during this time.  If you were ever to wish upon a star, you should make it during a supermoon—even better, make it with the professional, spiritual, and expert guidance of those at Cosmic Connections!

August 27 : You’ve heard of Taco Tuesday, but what about Tobacco Tuesday?  If you haven’t, swing through to Puro Chile and they can tell you all about it!  While you’re there, why don’t you take advantage of their Tobacco Tuesday sale?  Special discounted rates on stock as they’re trying to clear out for the season, a nice little BOGO, and some special strains you can’t find anywhere else except in the Jewel of the Pacific.

Valparaíso Activities

August 17 : Pequeños Eruditos will be celebrating Black Cat Appreciation Day by decking out the entire place with cat-themed decor and paraphernalia.  The children will learn all about cats ( from big ones to small ones! ), and there will be a fun photoshoot at the end of the day where kids can wear different colored cat ears.  Gift bags containing photos from the photoshoot, a cat plushie, building blocks, and a kids’ book ( La suerte de ser un gato negro ) will be given to each child. 

August 18-24 : Calling all ( amateur & local ) photographers!  Casaplan is hosting a photography competition, specifically for the beginner, the amateur, and the lover of photography.  The title and theme of the competition is A Mis Ojos: Paraíso.  For the entire week, submissions will be open to all Valpo Region photographers.  All entries will be judged and selected by a panel of expert photographers, and all selected photographs will be featured in next month’s public exhibit.  Send up to three ( 3 ) photographs to casaplan.submissions@gmail.cl.  ¡Buena suerte!

August 29-30 : Valpo Universidad presents TED Talk x Valpo, a yearly conference where students from all over Chile ( and some neighboring countries ) as well as a variety of organizations come together to exchange ideas on education, technology, business, and creativity.  This year’s speakers and topics range from quantum computers to the musicality in sign language to folklore—as Valpo's very own Luna Dominguez-Herrera ( @divinctions ) will be presenting their research and thesis: “The Earth’s Unseen Powers: Seasonal Pagan Ritual Magic in Popular and Unpopular Culture.”  From 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, come support your colleagues; come watch the next generation of academics, scientists, and creatives; come and learn about the world around you and the people most excited to teach you about it!  ( Snacks, appetizers, and beverages will be provided by the culinary department. )

August 31 : Ilustraverde is working with the Writer’s Org to make sure your manuscript is in tip-top shape.  From 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, several Ilustraverde Editors will be there to give a presentation on manuscript, writing, and submission tips; there will also be time carved out for a workshop with your fellow writers and with the editors; and lastly, there will be time to network while eating lunch provided by the culinary students of Valpo Universidad. 

Viña del Mar Activities

August 6 : Nido de Nomadas invites its hostel guests to a special community cookout!  From 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, the hostel staff will be cooking caldillo de congrio, a delicious seafood concoction served in a bowl, and baking bread from scratch ( fun fact : caldillo de congrio was a Pablo Neruda favorite ! ).  Hostel staff encourage participation from their guests, but if cooking or baking isn’t your thing, you can still spend time with your fellow wanderers as board games will be provided— and, if you’re not a hostel guest, have no fear!  This event is open to the public, as tours of the facility will also be offered to prospective guests ( or to hostel guests and their friends ) all day.

August 23 : If you’ve got nowhere to be at 8:00 PM, come on down to 12 Pulgadas as Un Breve Concierto is being live-streamed!  You can’t make it in, but you can peek inside from the windows—and who’s the talent?  Why, none other than Valpo’s very own Salem West ( @cybermuses ), whose new album Moment is set to hit the shelves, digitally and physically.  Critics are already raving about her musical genius, writing that she “excels at striking a tone that’s classic, sexy, and understated . . . under a veneer of fantasy and metaphor, like how it still counts . . . as a dress even if it’s mesh.”  You heard it here first, folks, so cancel those 8:00 PM plans and come watch un breve concierto!

August 25 : Just because it’s winter time doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the local park!  Jardín Botánico invites you to spend a Sunday exploring the 370 acre national botanical garden with 2 clubs of your choice: The Bird Watching Club ( at 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM ) and The Foodies ( at 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM ).  There are a variety of birds that thrive in the Chilean winter, and the Bird Watching Club has put together a little bingo card to help you out.  Whoever gets a BINGO will receive 4 tickets to go to the Quilpué Zoo.  The Foodies will be working with a famous forager ( known for their informative and fun foraging TikToks ) to show members how to identify edible and poisonous plants, how to sustainably gather local plants, and how to prepare them.  The Foodies will be grilling for lunch, and all foraged foods will be part of the meal.  If neither of those clubs interesting you, maybe you’ll be excited to know that the Combi Coffee Stand is debuting two new drinks: La Avalancha, a sweet caffeinated concoction that’ll warm you right up, and The Snowman, a hot chocolate drink that mixes 3 high quality chocolates.

[lantur]

updates from day two of Kyoto,

Waking up super early in the morning (~5:50 AM) came in clutch. Kyoto in the early morning with rain and very few people around is very atmospheric. I explored Kiyomizu-dera temple and the historic streets of Ninnenzaka and Sannenzaka before 8 AM, and had breakfast at a cute little cafe. It was comforting to be somewhere bright and warm after a dark, grey early morning exploration.

I normally don't eat breakfast at home. I wake up, have tea, and rush right off to the gym before work starts. It's been really nice to treat myself to breakfasts on several of these vacation days.

I spent most of yesterday exploring Arashiyama, a region in western Kyoto. Something that took me by surprise was how much the landscape resembled Washington state. It was mountainous, forested, and mossy. The resemblance stood out even more in the rain.

Good things:

Intense green moss at Gio-ji temple, and having the small temple completely to myself.

Birds singing and calling to each other everywhere in the forest, and the sound of rain pattering on my umbrella and flowing down spouts and dripping off statues and leaves. I never realized how few birds I hear in my everyday life until I traveled to Peru and here.

The eeriness and fascination of the Otagi Nenbutsu-ji temple, with its 1200 stone Buddhas peering at me as rain dripped off them.

The completely empty walk in the rain through a side street to Adashino Nenbutsu-ji temple, the rain soaking the 8,000 statues there dedicated to deceased souls.

Another empty bamboo forest at Daikaku-ji temple, and seeing the grove of cherry blossoms there just starting to bloom. It was so beautiful and special to be there alone.

I loved that so much of Arashiyama felt intensely isolated. There were hours where I felt like the only person wandering around the area. It was only in the late afternoon that I started to see other tourists again.

Challenges:

Walking around in the rain for ~seven hours was uncomfortable, because I got cold and wet even with my umbrella and was walking around in wet socks and shoes for almost the entire time :(( which was a very gross sensation. The silver lining was that the rainy vibes were impeccable.

Successes:

I went to a public bathhouse yesterday evening! It was delightful to be able to warm up in the hot baths and the sauna after being out in the cold. I'm also very proud of myself for getting out of my comfort zone and trying something new. Past me would never have been able to do this. I think all the swimming I've done over the past couple years and changing in and out of my swimsuit in the locker room with other people around has helped a lot. :) Dinner out after the bathhouse was giant grilled shrimp and scallops, and it was so good.

[anthonybalois]

Un lugar lleno de estrellas a simple vista.✨

[peru-perusals]

Day 19 - Miami Layover

Photo by Holly

We landed in Miami at an ungodly hour of the morning but by the time we made it out of the airport, it was a much more reasonable time!

Photo by Holly

We took bus down to the Playa cafe, across the street from the Eggstaurant we had been to on our first Miami layover.

Photo by Holly

I got an excellent Cuban sandwich and pondered @b1g-cheese's post about Karen Gillan filming a movie at George Fox.

Photo by Holly

Bernadette wanted to go to mass and more people kept tagging along until all of the students went to mass at St. Patrick's and Holly went out to the beach.

Photo by Alyssa

The mass was incredible, they had a full orchestra and choir in the loft, which just rung through the entire church. I was glad to have sung Mozart's Mass in C in choir this past semester so I knew what they were singing about in Latin. When mass got out, we had a half hour before we had planned to meet up with Holly so we sat in the shade beneath this lighthouse sculpture.

Photo by Haley

We went from there to a crab place renounced for their key lime pie. They gave us a full can of whipped cream that we used excessively.

Photo by Alyssa

We headed out to the beach and headed into the waves! We played a thrilling game of wavelength while we bobbed about. I was remarkably bad at that game, guessing 8 when the actual number was 5.

Photo by Holly

Photo by Alyssa

This is where the story gets much less fun. If you want to skip that, please pretend that we picked up lunch from Trader Joe's and spent the rest of our time in Miami at the botanical garden, before taking the bus back to the airport as planned and boarding our flight back to Portland and all living happily ever after. Thanks for reading my blog and following along as I perused Peru!

But here's what actually happened. We got out of the water and set off towards the botanical garden. As we walked through the park, I rapidly grew weak and collapsed to the ground in a relatively controlled manner. The group had continued walking, so I texted them and tried a group call. I was hyperventilating and losing fine motor control, so I used Siri to call a number of members of the group individually, but nobody picked up. I was entirely paralyzed by this point and I dropped my phone into the grass. I thought I saw a dinosaur over me, but it turned out to be an iguana hanging out in the tree. Apparently they had stopped at the bathroom nearby to change out of their swimsuits. My memory is a little hazy, but someone noticed me and they started attending to me. Claire, who is studying to do sports medicine, raised my feet and started walking me through exercises of trying to close my fist and lift my limbs. I wasn't able to do either of those things at first. Bernadette filled my water bottle repeatedly. Someone put cool towels on my chest. Holly called 911 and shortly thereafter paramedics arrived to check my vitals, which were all good. An ambulance arrived too, but they called it off. They said this was pretty normal for the weather, especially since we weren't used to it. I was their fifth call like this of the day. One of the tests they ran hurt a lot; they connected me to what looked like a boombox and it felt like all of my muscles were being activated at the same time. Remind me not to get electrocuted. While I lay on the ground, Holly went to the store to get ice packs and popsicles. By the time she returned, I had regained much muscle function and we walked to the bus station. On the bus, I noticed that the weather had a excessive heat warning for 106-110 in Miami Beach. Missed that. We rode back to the bus station, which had a place for dolphins to park. How accommodating!

I changed out of my swimsuit and we took the tram back to the airport. I was getting weaker as we waited in line for TSA for a few hours, so I sat down and scooted myself along the ground until we got to the front, where I did my best to act like a fully functioning human being as I went through security. They fell for my ruse, but I fell to the ground shortly after we got through. I had cold feverish chills emanating from my spine and rippling through my body, which was fairly concerning to Holly, who called 911 for the second time. Paramedics arrived and ran a series of tests, but luckily not the excruciatingly painful one. Once again my vitals were fine, and encouraged me to get food and liquids in my system. I lay on the ground while Holly tried to hail one of the accessibility golf carts to take me to our gate, halfway across the airport. A while later, she succeeded. Unfortunately, I lost my key lime pie on the way over. I cleaned up and we rode the rest of the way. We arrived at the gate and reconvened with the rest of the group but our fight had moved to another gate. I thought I was feeling strong enough to walk there, but after a few hundred feet, I needed to sit down again and we hailed a cart to take us to the new gate.

We sat and waited for the flight but I wasn't feeling well enough to board. The rest of the group boarded but Holly stayed behind with me. I fell asleep on the floor at the gate while Holly stood in the line for hours to rebook us for a flight the following day. When I woke up, I hailed another accessibility cart to take me as far as the airport hotel where Holly had booked us a room. The line snaked around the room, so I parked myself on the floor, slowly scooting me and my luggage forward as we moved. Holly arrived about midnight, just as I got to the front of the line. She had booked through some sort of 3rd party and they only sent over one confirmation code which the hotel computers read as there being one room. She had to call the 3rd party but the hotel's phone lines were down so they couldn't receive confirmation by phone. While she got this sorted out, I fell asleep, slumped over my backpack on the floor of the hotel lobby. Holly eventually woke me up and I moved to a couch while she continued to sort things out with the hotel. I fell asleep there as well. At 1:30am, the hotel gave us our keys and we took the elevator up to our rooms and I collapsed into my bed, which was much more comfortable than all of the various places in the airport where I had slept on the floor.

[gritsandbrits]

Since everyone keeps bringing up the 90s cartoon Happily Ever After: Fairytales for Every Child, I wrote out some ideas for a hypothetical reboot. My main focus are stories that haven't been done in the original.

The Swan Princess: In this African American twist set in a disco roller rink called The Pond, Odette, granddaughter of legendary MC The Swan King, receives his prized helmet but must keep it away from an evil witch (or so he calls ol' Miss Brewster). To make matters worse the town councilman R.J. Rothbart wants to make Odette his bride and hatches a scheme with his sister Odile to close the rink for good.

The Goose Girl: in this Ancient Egyptian take on the classic German fairytale, the daughter of the pharaoh is tricked by her advisor who swaps places with her. The Princess gathers all her wit and a few unlikely allies to end the deception.

The Red Shoes: in this story with a Southern Gospel flavor, the daughter of a preacher wants to go out with her friends instead of helping with an important event. When she spends donation money on a pair of shoes, she ends up on a journey that teaches her the meaning of charity and responsibility.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu: In this Mesopotamia legend, the arrogant warrior Gilgamesh meets his match in the humble Enkidu. A Story of good sportsmanship, friendship, and the importance of valuing life.

Eros and Psyche: in this Afro-Mediterranean fusion of the beloved myth, Psyche, a princess, cares for an mysterious & injured man. But after Psyche makes terrible mistakes she must earn back his trust by going through seemingly impossible tasks.

Romeo and Juliet: In this 80s rock n' roll take on the Shakespearean tale, the Montagues and Capulets are two warring music dynasties called the Monty and the Goos, & the Capital Letters respectively. The new generation of singers develop a crush on each other but will their new love overcome old hate?

The Wild Cranes: In this take on the Wild Swans set amidst the backdrop of the Gullah islands, a young girl must find a way to turn her 12 brothers back into human after they were turned into cranes.

John Henry: in the classic American Folktale set during the Great Migration, John Henry, a railroad worker, uses his kindness, wits and super strength to help families move up North.

Snow White and Rose Red: In this Romani take on the German story, Snow White and Rose Red are two beekeepers who befriend a talking bear. However when a huntsman pursues the bear, Snow and Rose escapes with their friend into the woods. They seek help from a friendly troll, but is there more to the story?

The Boy Who Cried Coyote! In This take on the classic Aesop, set on the mountains of Peru, a young alpaca herder decides to play tricks by claiming there is a coyote. But he gets a well deserved lesson in honesty when his pranks go too far...

Hades and Persephone: In this retelling of the Greek myth with a dash of 90s/2000s pop music, a lonely pop idol seeks comfort in a cafe barista, unaware that she is the daughter of a health food giant.

I also have ideas for episodes featuring the Mami Wata, Anansi the spider, Paul Bunyan, the Chupacabra, & Princess Savitri.

[mariacallous]

Bringing new life to hamantaschen was a challenge. People are dead set on their favorite flavors, like classic poppy seed and apricot. Of course, newer directions such as Nutella and rainbow funfetti are a big hit with the kids, but reinventing the grown-up hamantaschen into a decadent cookie you actually crave was very important to me. Then it hit me: alfajores!

Alfajores are an incredibly decadent sandwich cookie filled with dulce de leche, a caramel-like spread made from condensed milk. 

The cookies have a complex history. Most people associate alfajores with Argentina, Uruguay and Peru, but they were brought to the New World by the Spanish in the 16th century. Before that, it’s said that the cookies were actually an Arab import when Spain was largely under Arab control in the 14th and 15th centuries. 

I was first introduced to the famous South American cookie at the well-known Israeli cafe chain Aroma in New York City. Alfajores are actually extremely popular in Israel today, much more so than in the States. It was love at first bite. Cornstarch and extra egg yolks give the cookies a very light, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth. Then, slowly cooked dulce de leche is sandwiched in between. The cookies are usually rolled in lightly toasted coconut and sprinkled with powdered sugar. 

Translating all of these elements into our beloved traditional hamantaschen was a no brainer, and made for the most popular hamantaschen in my house to date! Making your own dulce de leche filling is actually incredibly easy, but if you can find it at your grocery store, feel free to use it here. 

Note: This hamantaschen recipe calls for unsweetened large flaked coconut, which is preferable to the heavily sweetened macaroon coconut.

[tinytourist]

Joining the Tribe

Earlier this year, I interviewed for and joined a group called Wifi Tribe which is a collective of travel-loving remote workers. The tribe offers month-long trips all over the world and provides a shared living/working space for members to be productive, build relationships, and adventure from.

I signed up for my first trip in Cusco, Peru, which is from September 8th to October 6th and is comprised of 15 people. After close to 24 hours of travel, I arrived at the house in Cusco on Friday afternoon which is located in a great part of town just a 5 minute walk from the Plaza de Armas, or main square. A few of us grabbed lunch at Parada Vegana which is a peruvian vegan restaurant that offers a "Menu Del Dia" or Menu of the Day which comes with a soup, drink, and main course, all for the low cost of S/.12 or < $3! This was just the start of a wonderful culinary journey.

People trickled in throughout the day and then we went to the cafe across the street for dinner and some live Argentinian music. On Saturday morning I went to a cafe to read my book and get familiar with my new neighborhood. There are so many cafes and restaurants nearby to try!

Once the majority of the group arrived, we met up for a walking tour where we learned about the architecture and its mysterious origins, heard some traditional music, and got familiarized with the city. The tour ended at a restaurant with a beautiful view of Cusco.

After the tour we had a lovely group dinner at a Peruvian restaurant, Yaku, where I had trout that was served to me on a shingle!

Bess, Vale, Mike, and I decided to check out the nightlife after dinner and found that the after-hours place to be is in the alleyways surrounding the Plaza de Armas. There, are many speakeasy-style clubs filled with young Peruvians. We tried to get cocktails but the only options were to buy entire bottles of liquor with a warm bottle of coke, or beer. Beer it was. We danced and observed before we attempted to leave, but were told to wait. We don't plan to go back there but it was quite an experience.

On Sunday morning, we cooked up a huge brunch and planned out some of our weekend trips. A few of us went to a local bar afterwards to watch the US Open Men's Final. To end the night, Vale, Mike, Garrett, and I went to a small climbing gym. The routes were pretty hard but we still had a good time pushing ourselves.

[zlutyzakaznik]

Měsíční souhrn: červenec 2024

(5. 8. 2024) Kavárenská pestrost.

Věřte nebo ne, internetové kavárny ještě existují a tuhle jsem našel cestou k Hrnčeku přes ulici u konečné tramvaje č. 12, kde byla léta prodejna s nuceným výsekem. Podnik je na zazvonění, od 5 do 10 hod. má provozní přestávku a žádný microlot bych tu nehledal. Muž za barem byl ovšem velmi vstřícný a příjemný... Sedmý měsíc, devatenáct hodnocených káv. A z toho pouze čtyři připravené doma a plných patnáct v kavárnách! Už dlouho jsem neměl tak obsáhlou a pestrou konzumaci jako v první ze dvou prázdninových měsíců. Důvodů bylo několik.

Jednak jsem část července čekal na opravu kávovaru (součástky z Itálie měly velké zpoždění) a člověk nevydrží pít trojporcovou moka konvičku dvakrát denně a den za dnem. Pak tu byly mimobrněnské výlety, kde si kladu za cíl ochutnat alespoň jedno a pokud možno to nejlepší kafe v daném městě.

A hlavně kvůli tomu, že se mě lidé stále ptají, kam zajít v Brně na kávu a chtěl jsem si tedy ověřit, jaká je úroveň doporučovaných podniků, z nichž v některých jsem nebyl už opravdu dlouho (nelíbí se mi jejich přístup ke Covidu, veganství nebo nafučený personál). Udělal jsem tedy konzumační výjimku, abych viděl, jak na tom kavárny aktuálně jsou.

K v červnu „přechutnaným“ Kafe Skácel, Šesté větvi, Komár Kafe, Coffee Fusion a Monogramu přibyly Kafe Friedrich, JAGA (ex-Atlas), Pelíšek, SKØG nebo V Melounovém cukru. Ve všech podnicích jsem osobě za kávovarem zdůraznil, že nikam nespěchám a často dodal, že si mohou vzít tolik času, kolik budou potřebovat nebo poprosil ať si v klidu dodělají objednávky.

1) espresso (Rebelbean, Brazílie, Otavio Reis, anaerobní naturální), skoro 15/20, ŽZ 2) espresso (Rebelbean, Etiopie, Abebe Gutema, naturální), 14 až 15/20, ŽZ 3) espresso (Kmen, naturální Honduras, Miguel Angel Paz), silných 14/20, ŽZ 4) doppio (Jizba, promyté Peru, CANALL, Prostějov), silných 14/20, spolumajitel 5) doppio (Candycane, naturální Kolumbie, JAGA), silných 14/20, mladý chlapec 6) doppio (The Naughty Dog Summer, promytá Etiopie Dimi Tula, The Good Coffee Society, pobočka Stumpergasse 64, Vídeň), silných 14/20, milá slečna 7) doppio (Liškafé, Etiopie-Kolumbie, blend, Hrnček), silných 14/20, majitel 8) doppio (Wide Awake Coffee, naturální Kolumbie, KAFÖ, Zlín), 14/20, Milan Kögler 9) doppio (Kaffeekirsche Berlin, natruální Rwanda, Coffee Junkie, Vídeň) - 14/20, moc milá baristka 10) cappuccino (Cafe Vergnano 70:30, Jedna báseň), 14/20, pan Ivo :-) 11) doppio (Fiftybeans, naturální Kolumbie, Pelíšek), 14/20, mladý muž 12) cappuccino (Hardy Europa, Coffee Stop), skoro 14/20, majitel 13) doppio (La Cabra, naturální Brazílie, Kafe Friderich), skoro 14/20 14) doppio (Typika, Keňa promytá, SKØG), 13 – 14/20, milá slečna 15) espresso (Rebelbean, Colombia Luz Marina Arias, promytá), 13 – 14/20, ŽZ 16) doppio (Chroast, Salvador promytý, V Melounovém cukru), 13 – 14/20, milé děvče 17) doppio (The Naughty Dog, Etiopie Aricha, promytá, William Thomas Pekařská), skoro 13/20 18) doppio (Father's, naturální Etiopie, LOVE COFFEE, Olomouc), 12 – 13/20 19) doppio (Laura Coffee, naturální Brazílie 82+ b., Laura Coffee Ostrava-Svinov), silných 12/20

(Pro zvídavé: do výročního žebříčku postupuje prvních sedm vzorků.)

Jednou je každé kávě konec a platí to i pro několikanásobného vítěze měsíčního žebříčku, jímž se i tentokrát stala anaerobní naturálka od Rebelů. Důstojným nástupcem je smetanově a jahodově laděná Etiopie, kterou stejné pražírně přivezli The Roses a jak v mléce, tak espressu nelze mít námitek. Čistá chuť, přiměřená krémovitost, celkový balanc, intenzita i dochuť, vše je v pořádku.

Bronz si odneslo mnou poprvé ochutnané i připravené kafe z Českých Budějovic. Již dříve mě upoutalo graficky hodnotné a herbář evokující řešení sáčků, jež spolu s luhačovickou Jizbou patří v tomto ohledu k evropské špičce. Káva samotná velice příjemná a i ty švestičky a červené víno/mírná alkoholovost tam byla znát...

Otevřou ještě po prázdninách? Nóbl podnik s ambiciózními cenami a taková úroveň cedulky a komunikace? Mému oku neuniklo, že můžete zaplatit BEZKOTAKTNĚ a že provozovatel se jmenuje Food and cosumers goods...

Jestli i tento žebříček něco potvrzuje, je to moje jednoznačná inklinace k naturálně zpracovaným kávám, které červencové konzumaci naprosto dominují. Výjimkami potvrzujícími pravidlo jsou promyté Peru od Jizby, které s nesmírnou péčí připravil spolumajitel prostějovské kavárny, a pak vídeňské a dosud nejlepší provedení zrnek Petry Veselé a Gwilyma Daviese, které bylo superšťavnaté a džusovité a o třídu lepší než cokoli, co jsem tu od nich ochutnal.

Ve srovnání s touto svěží emulzí byla ta nachystaná ve William Thomas na Pekařské zoufale nudná. Přijatelný nástup i střed chuti totiž fatálně pokazil brutálně hořký konec a kalnost a hliněnost, která mě na patře i jazyku trápila ještě dobrou půlhodinu. Vybavení za hodně přes půl milionu a výsledek na spodním patře žebříčku kvality. Alespoň to bylo za relativně bezbolestných 70 Kč a nejméně blátivé mezi kalnými...

Ve Friedrichovi neměla milá a pečlivá baristka štěstí na surovinu, protože i když jsem dostal až druhé doppio, emulze nebyla ideální (crema téměř neexistující). Přesto tam ale byly třešně či višně v závěru trochu cítit a svůj standard si podnik podržel.

Pelíšek měl Mythos v opravě a tak jsem prubnul doppio ze zaskakujícího a high-endového Ceada, v jehož násypce byla Kolumbie od Fiftybeans. Jak jsem řekl mladému a z mého pohledu novému muži v tamní crew, jenž kávu připravoval: přísahal bych, že je to tatáž surovina, kterou jsem dostal o pár týdnů dříve v Komárovi.

Nový mlýnek jsem potkal i při návratu do JAGY (bývalý Atlas), kde nyní mají, tak jako na spoustě dalších míst, nákladný Mahlkönig a pod ním PUQPress.

Mladíka za kávovarem jsem ubezpečil, že nijak nespěchám, ale zarazil jej v okamžiku, když jsem viděl, že se mé doppio chystá vyextrahovat do dvou mlíčenek a následně přelít do šálku. Jak říkají v kriketu: What’s the point? Odpověděl mi, že už to má zautomatizované (aha, takže takhle tu teď dělají doppio?) a při placení se dotázal, jak mi chutnalo, protože se mu prý průběh extrakce nezdál. Ubezpečil jsem jej, že kafe bylo výborné, i když se mi zdálo, že výsledek byl ovlivněn štěstím a náhodou.

Kafe je v Jaze stále výborné; bohužel přetrvává příšerná lhostejnost vůči dveřím a možnému prvnímu dojmu. A není to poprvé, co jsem se nad zdejší otvíračkou pozastavoval.

Strašně se vyplatí dát najevo zájem o kávu, přípravu, psychický komfort baristů a doplnit úsměv a ubezpečit, že si to slečna/chlapec za kávovarem mohou připravit v (relativním) klidu. Výsledky v kavárně na Dominikánském náměstí, ve Vídni i jinde tomu odpovídaly.

Ocenil jsem také, že ve dvou případech (William Thomas a Pelíšek) to daný člověk dal k přípravě kolegovi/kolegyni, protože se zrovna necítil na přípravu 100% fit anebo jen nebyl extrakčně rozehřátý. Tak by to mělo, pokud je to časově a personálně možné, vypadat a pro mne to ukazuje, že kavárně, tedy alespoň v mém případě, záleží na výsledku. :-)

S tím, zda se do kavárny odhodlám vejít a něco si dát, souvisí i zdánlivé maličkosti. Jako třeba v případě Buchty C na Zelňáku, kde pes (nevím, zda dvou hostů u stolečku na zahrádce nebo majitele) spolehlivě zatarasil přístup do podniku. Tom Niederle se sice hned omluvil a zvíře odsunul stranou, ale dotyčný tvor měl být od počátku uložen bokem a nikoli rozcapený tam, kde chodí zákazníci.

A protože mě neuspokojila odpověď na dotaz na kafe na mlýnku (Indonésie od Jizby prý není tak konzervativní, jak je pro tento region obvyklé, avšak vyjádření, že baristce káva chutná, mi přijde jako velmi vágní), odešel jsem.

Osobně jsem proti tomu, aby psi byli součástí kavárenského nebo festivalového prostředí a před pár měsíci mě šokovalo, že kino Art umožnilo čtyřnohým chlupáčům pobyt v sále během představení za předpokladu, že se budou chovat tiše. Z tohoto důvodu biograf ignoruji, protože opravdu nechci, aby mé soustředění u Bergmana či jiného filmu narušovalo vrnění, kňučení, pobíhání nebo jen zápach zvířete.

Otravných maličkostí bylo a je pochopitelně víc. K nejpřednějším patří víčková směrnice, která vstoupila v platnost 1. července. Když jsem před zhruba osmi měsíci poprvé narazil na tento nesmysl u čerstvého mléka z Alberta, myslel jsem, že se jedná o výrobní vadu. Velmi záhy se však ukázalo, že jde o nařízení a každý, kdo jen párkrát denně otevře mléko nebo petku s vodou, má dotyčného řešení jistě plné zuby. A tenhle komentář mé pocity perfektně vystihuje.

A ještě jedna iritující věc. Není nic horšího, než když avizovaná změna k lepšímu přinese výrazné snížení uživatelského komfortu. A přesně to se stalo se čtvrtkilovými sáčky Rebelbean, které jdou od změny designu a zatemnění senzorického popisu otevírat hůře a hůře.

V okamžiku, kdy Vám za život projdou rukama stovky a možná už nižší tisíce kávových pytlíků, víte, že chyba nebude nejspíš na Vaší straně a musím říct, že při otevírání právě dopíjené Etiopie to bylo čiré utrpení. Tam, kde obvykle stačí lehké a ladné odtrhnutí, je u nového designu a jiného materiálu (jak mi řekli v pražírně, kde jsem si telefonicky postěžoval) problém. Samozřejmě mi chlapec na drátě tvrdil, že jsem první, kdo tyto potíže zaznamenal (jak jinak, že?), ale přislíbil, že se na to podívají.

Co se týče kavárenských realit, asi nejviditelnějším uzavřením měsíce se stali Meat Vandals vedle Jakubáku, kteří oznámili konec 12. 7. a naposledy nabídli zákazníkům možnost návštěvy o den později. Tomu se říká superrychlé uzavření, protože je dobrým zvykem dojet alespoň měsíc nebo týden. Potvrzuje to ovšem skepsi vůči danému místu a budu bedlivě sledovat, jak si povede druhá verze Jizby i odštěpek pražských The Miners.

V místě bývalé a publicitou neoplývající kavárny Charisma o pár metrů dál se už pilně kutá a i letitá hospoda Tenkrát na Západě má nové nájemce a já se na obě místa v patřičný čas zastavím.

Solárium Stay Natural v OC Letmo upravilo provozní dobu a hlavně se zbavilo kavárenské části; dole pod eskalátory se po dokončených opravách chystá další místo s kávovarem. (Aktualizace 7. 8. 2024 v 9.03: jedná se o Trdlocafe, které bylo přesunuto z prostor u Alberta.) Jiné spojení espressa, cappuccina a umělých slunečních paprsků otevřelo v pasáži Boby Centra a podle interních informací jde o počin bývalého hosta jednoho z nejstarších brněnských podniků. Na extrémně neatraktivním místě, kde zavřelo několik kaváren!

Když jdete kolem, letmo nakouknete dovnitř a znuděné slečně na mobilu nestojíte ani za pozdrav...

Po pouhých několika měsících skončilo Mellow Brno v pasáži OC Rozkvět a jistý čtenář, který měl s nimi něco do činění, jistě nebude překvapen. :-) Dottore del Caffe spustilo avizovaný truck ve Schreberových zahrádkách a ceny má stejně absurdní jako na pobočce OC Max v Bystrci. 25. července skončil Stella Kšeft v prostorách bývalého a menšího Martináka v Alfa Pasáži a blíže neurčenou letní dovolenou si na dveře vyvěsili v sesterském provozu Kšeft Schnitzel & Bier. To nevěstí nic dobrého...

Slevovou akci na venkovním áčku rozjeli pánové z Poslechu (všechny drinky do 19.00 za 99 Kč) a SugarLife STORE naproti Momentě, který vídám vždycky prázdný, nabízel na venkovní ceduli po dva dny v týdnu bonusovou makronku zdarma.

Pouhý měsíc po otevření se pokusili vykrást Coffee Stop na Halasáku. Jak mi řekl provozovatel, kterého jsem včera navečer potkal na cestě do Alberta s mlékem v ruce, dveře sice vypáčili, ale naštěstí nic nezcizili. Oranžové pásky Policie ČR, kterých si dopoledne všiml a reportoval pozorný čtenář, tak už byly pryč. Říkal jsem, že tohle místo bohužel láká méně příjemné existence...