don't judge--it's harder than you would think

ok, first, the event:
today, in one day, i found both a dunkin donuts AND a starbucks.
the good news: i resisted both, and went to a cafe specific to santiago and buenos aires.
the bad news: the dnd is really close to my house and i'm afraid i'll end up going there a time or two.

now, as the title says, don't judge me. anyone who knows me knows that 7 days/week, 52 weeks/year, i have a big mug of drip coffee in the morning, and often thats followed with an afternoon serving as well (volleyball days). so, having been in a country dominated by instant coffee for over 2 months now, the thought of my ol' grande coffee of the day no room for creme is sounding pretty amazing. luckily, i found that other cafe, and ordered a double 'expresso' (i know, not espresso, which kills anyone who's ever worked in a cafe). i also ordered a torta de chocolate, not really knowing what a torta was, and it was one of the most delicious slices of chocolate cake i've ever had. they would never have anything that fresh at sbucks. ja.

along these lines, i did find an AMAZING little cafe close to my university. it's kind of hidden, a french emphasis, second floor with a patio looking on a plazita with a fountain. and not too expensive, although i'm sure i'll have to start rationing myself soon. i went there with a new friend yesterday for the first of what i hope will be many enriching, rejuvenating conversations in that cafe.

in other news, the dollar went down again. i guess it's a good reminder that we unitedstatesians are far from invincible and all-powerful.

i'm going to include a picture at the end of a cappuccino i had at my new cafe, cafe tales, when i went there before traveling, about a month ago.
and, i guess since this is the most coffee-flavored post i've ever done, i'll include a fun little element. during my travels (before my camera broke) i started a little tradition of taking fotos of the different coffees i drank. again, note it's importance in my life.
EVERY foto is of instant coffee. one of the restaurantes, they brought the cup with hot water, and a little packet of instant coffee. seriously.
so obviously, this was more for me, but i'm sure some of you will appreciate it:

first, the amazing cappuccino, with real espresso, at tales:


next, a cafe in puerto montt:


out of my thermos on the bus, definitely the most common form throughout the trip:


a hostel, in punta arenas:


and a cafe in punta arenas:


and finally, camping:



so, i think those are a pretty good representation of the different forms i had coffee while traveling: cafes, hostels, bus, and straight-up wilderness, in a huge metal mug.

chao.