Exporting the Revolution... one cup at a time

In a time where hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Cuba for cheap vacation deals, beautiful beaches and all they drink; in a time where Che is still a misunderstood symbol of mini-revolutions worldwide, I was surprised to find Cuban coffee available for sale at my local super market. For a mere 10.79$ you could enjoy the taste to the Caribbean right here in your own home and if you brewed it in a Turkish coffee maker and added tons of brown sugar it tastes just like you're there.

Cabinet shuffles in Havana, Cubans with cell phones, Cubans on tourist beaches and now... Cuban coffee in Canada. These are the "massive" changes that are sweeping this small island nation since el General took over for his (I swear he's deceased) brother. But here at home, it seems that the Revolution is not only creeping into pop art, uneducated rock bands and t-shirt stores... No my friends, the Revolution is creeping into my coffee cup.

I went into a coffee shop the other day and ordered an espresso, the girl behind the counter asked what kind I'd like, I looked at the menu and saw they offered Cuban coffee, so I ordered one. I pay and she gives me my little styrofoam cup. Once outside, upon closer examination, I find that the cup says "coffee revolution" on it along with a big red star... I ask myself: Is this special communist coffee that is going to take over the world? Is this cup ready to defend the ideals of this backwards Revolution to the death? Or is this just a marketing scheme to appeal to the Che Guevara t-shirt wearing hippies that read Marx and have zero understanding of the world?

I'm not sure; but what I do know is that I am not taking part in this "coffee revolution" or any other revolution and I will never be seen in public again with a cup that says "coffee revolution" on it. Especially not one that costs me 4.69$...

Muchacho Enfermo

How I blog...

Instead of my weekly "Where I blog" picture I'm posting today a how I blog picture. I was up until late last night posting a story on Ashin-Mettacara.com and I only slept a few hours before getting up and being on the go all day.

I looked at the news, I read my papers and still nothing came to me... I didn't know what to write about. There was either too many things to say or not enough. Sure I could complain about the separatists again, or about the Conservatives, I could talk about Obama's plan to pull out of Iraq or the economic meltdown, I could talk about a million things but still, nothing came to me.

Instead, I thought, why don't I make my self a pot of coffee, wake up a little bit and see what comes to mind. The first thing (actually the only thing) that came to mind was: take a picture of your old, dirty coffee machine. After all why not? I owe so much to this magical beverage and this little machine, most of my decent blog posts were written at 5:30am with a cup of coffee, or late at night when the only thing keeping me awake was the coffee, most of my friendships spawned around a cup of coffee, studying for exams or doing work from home is usually done with a cup of coffee in hand.

So here it is coffee, my tribute to you little battered coffee makers... you have been my faithful companion for many years. Sure, I have a 200$ espresso maker and nice stainless steel cups, but nothing can ever replace you, my old and dirty machine.

We've been through a lot of sleepless nights and exhausted mornings together... Here's to many more!

Muchacho Enfermo