Uno Capuccino

Tuesday June 12, 2012 10:15am

I've just returned from a trip downstairs, through three locked doors to the street below, where I spent my first cold hard Euro cash.  I had heard from the realtor that we should go to the cafe below for a coffee rather than paying a Euro in our apt for their instant and inferior brew.  So I ventured inside and stood behind two people in line and watched as the proprietor made espressos and capuccinos from his machine.  Then a short and wiry Italian man zipped in and cut in front of me.  The proprietor noticed and looked at me for my order, but I just shrugged my shoulders and said, "It's okay" and watched as my new friend ordered an espresso, dumped in a sugar, and slammed it down and then walked to the cashier and gave him a Euro.  Enboldened, I said, "Uno capuccino" (without the 'uno' because I'm not really sure how to say "one" in Italian) and in short order was handed the most frothy and delicious cup of coffee I've ever had...I drank it slowly compared to my friend, but still in only a few minutes before walking over to the cashier and handing him a 20 Euro bill.  He looked at me and seemed to be distressed as I was no doubt going to empty out his register, so I sympathized and opened my wallet, and showed him I only had a 100 Euro bill instead.  He responded with a look that said,  "Oh, that's much better!" and jokingly reached for it with a smile.  Then he turned and opened his own wallet and gave me 18.50 in change.   I think I'm going back tomorrow...but next time with the right change!

- Posted from my iPad