the best part of waking up IS Foldger's in your cup!
Several people have now questioned me as to how, in France, where EVERYTHING tastes better, I could miss American coffee? The answer: if you want to purchase coffee in any given French place, you have two options. (1) An espresso for 2.50 euros or (2) a cafe au lait, or coffee with milk, for 4 euros. If you are accustomed to taking a nice big cup of strong black coffee in the morning, no one is eager to accommodate you.
If you're desperate for some pretend coffee, you can order un cafe allonge, or espresso diluted with hot water. If you're desperate for cheap coffee, you can get an expresso (avec ou sans sucre) from the machine in the NYU center for fifty cents. Be warned, though, that it will taste about as good as coffee from a vending machines ever does.
Still, I had refused to go to any of the Starbucks slowly sprouting in the Parisian neighborhoods. Every time I passed a sign with that green lady on it, I patted myself on the back for such a strong display of anti-corporate sentiment. I proclaimed to myself, I will not participating in the birth of identical coffeeshops! I will display solidarity for different flavors! I will take my cheap espresso and love it!
That is, until this morning. I was tired. Real classes have started, and I have them early every day. So, I'm ashamed to say that ladies and gentlemen, I did it! Shameful with every step, I walked into a Starbucks! Put a scarlet S on my chest, if you need to.
I know it was a bad idea, for several reasons. First, it was against my basic principles. Second, it wasn't even the good kind of Starbucks with a nice place to sit, but just a nearby stand in a mall. Third, the French Starbucks prices are identical to the American Starbucks prices...but in euros.
So, I recommit myself! No more American weakness. No more regular coffee. I'll take my 2.50 espresso at the cafes....but be warned, French storeowners, because I'm going to sit at that table and write for three hours to make it worth my money.
If you're desperate for some pretend coffee, you can order un cafe allonge, or espresso diluted with hot water. If you're desperate for cheap coffee, you can get an expresso (avec ou sans sucre) from the machine in the NYU center for fifty cents. Be warned, though, that it will taste about as good as coffee from a vending machines ever does.
Still, I had refused to go to any of the Starbucks slowly sprouting in the Parisian neighborhoods. Every time I passed a sign with that green lady on it, I patted myself on the back for such a strong display of anti-corporate sentiment. I proclaimed to myself, I will not participating in the birth of identical coffeeshops! I will display solidarity for different flavors! I will take my cheap espresso and love it!
That is, until this morning. I was tired. Real classes have started, and I have them early every day. So, I'm ashamed to say that ladies and gentlemen, I did it! Shameful with every step, I walked into a Starbucks! Put a scarlet S on my chest, if you need to.
I know it was a bad idea, for several reasons. First, it was against my basic principles. Second, it wasn't even the good kind of Starbucks with a nice place to sit, but just a nearby stand in a mall. Third, the French Starbucks prices are identical to the American Starbucks prices...but in euros.
So, I recommit myself! No more American weakness. No more regular coffee. I'll take my 2.50 espresso at the cafes....but be warned, French storeowners, because I'm going to sit at that table and write for three hours to make it worth my money.