Euphoria in an Espresso Cup

When you do extended travel, there is always something that breaks you down for a little midtrip meltdown. Is it the strange, slippery seafood that shoots from between your chopsticks and surfs down your throat? Is it living in a tiny little apartment stacked on top of your co-workers? Or maybe the fact that you just ordered 10 pieces of candy and you got a bowl full of rocks...or that crossing the street is like surviving a minor war battle...or that your jar of peanut butter you imported ran out? In our case, it was the third full week of Nescafe instant coffee that broke us.

Our new favorite coffee shop!

AJ and Emily were turning green with coffee withdrawal, and after a stupendous hot pot meal, asked to run to the coffee shop they spotted across the street. Our driver Chou Bing shook his head in disapproval, and we all went back to the van a little deflated. We realized, however, that he was steering us towards better coffee. Given that our day was full of travel plans, we expected to grab a cup to go, American style. Instead, we walked into Dio Coffee and it was clear we were going to sit and sip coffee like proper connoisseurs. 

Coffee.  Chemistry.  Contentment.

We perused the menu and selected a dark blend to soothe our travel-weary souls. We nibbled watermelon seeds tossed in sweet syrup. And then, it arrived. A shiny chemistry set of decadent brewing. It had nobs and wobbles, doolollies and watchamagidgets. They lit a gas cartridge under the pitcher and we all watched the magic brew. When it was done and the golden pitcher tipped to pour, we each got an espresso cup, including our Chinese guides. Belinda, Sherry, and Chou Bing choked down this Western delicacy with the help of four tablespoons of sugar and a half cup of creme. In the meantime, we three rangers sipped the bold, rich coffee that tasted better than any cup we'd had.

The next day, we were jonesin' for another cup of real coffee. So, in the spirit of cultural exchange, we talked our gang into stopping at Starbucks. So we all headed into the Zhengzhou Starbucks, and this time, it was Belinda, Sherry, Chou Bing and Belinda's husband Chris snapping all the pictures of their first time at Starbucks. It sure is nice to be able to "host" them for something unique; they've given us so many wonderful experiences.

Starbucks' menu in Chinese.

L to R: Sherry, Chou Bing, Chris, Belinda, AJ.  A toast to caffeine and culture!

AJ & Emily also bought a gift that keeps on giving...a French press. We toasted our return from vacation with a real cup of coffee brewed in our very own apartment. We are now rejuvenated from our midtrip meltdown and ready for the adventure to continue...

-- Megan Kohli