Have a Cuppa Conmigo - An Introduction

A light-hearted contrast to my usual writings, Have a Cuppa Conmigo (with me) is a series of observations of the world around me, sometimes whilst I sup on a brew.

Welcome to the first addition of Have a Cuppa Conmigo, a Spanglish title to represent my Spanglish world.

Cuppa - being the fabulously friendly way of saying cup of, is this the English as Second Language Teacher in me explaining this?

Conmigo - meaning with me in Spanish, as I’m sure many of you know. Who doesn’t love alliteration? Does it still count across two languages? Is this fabulous word play? Or is it just the epitome of pretentious? I’ll let you decide.

I love myself a brew, my tipple of choice being a really strong Irish tea with a drop of oat milk if there’s a splash available or I’ll take it straight, a taste I’ve grown to like. I live in the sunny south of Spain and sadly the Spanish just don’t know what they´re doing with tea. The depression of a small cup, half filled with water and a teabag floating on top being put down in front of me is indescribable. The bag serves better as a small boat than a brewing vessel! After almost crying over the revolting flavour, I decided enough was enough and I couldn’t face ordering another. So I’ve joined mainland Europe in their coffee drinking habits, kind of.

My Spanish tipple of choice is an americano (muy largo - very long), which the Spanish would call aguachirri. In the town where I live, I mostly see people having café con leche (coffee with milk) or café solo (an expresso). However, I am a sensitive soul with a sensitive stomach. I cannot handle milk, potentially lactose intolerant or intolerant of the dairy industry or a mix of the two. And my stomach hurts if I put a shot of coffee right into it, these guys must have guts of steel.

I remember one day ordering an americano to the waitress’ disgust she exclaimed my choice was chirriagua! I knew from context it wasn’t a positive word, when I went to translate it I enjoyed this definition particularly ‘A drink of poor quality or with little substance’. Even the definition feels slightly offensive. Since my weak stomach can’t handle too strong an americano, I have to instruct the person serving it that it needs to be muy largo or con mucha agua (very long or with a lot of water). I see their poor face wince at the idea of such a drink.

If I go along to one of the few, literally three, places I’ve found locally that does a plant based milk I notice I inflict less pain on the server as I order my café con leche con leche vegetal.

As I’ve may bored most people senseless and language-splained Spanish terms to probably many people who speak the language, I better move onto what this series is actually about… Observing the world around me, I’m a big fan of people watching. Not in a creepy peeping Tom kind of way, just to be clear. I’d like to think of it more as a form of meditation and getting out of my head, paying attention to life bustling on around me.

I’d like to get into the habit of releasing something every Monday, a bit of light reading perhaps while you have your caffeine injection of the day.

So since I’ve gone into needless depth over what I like in me mug, I’d like to hear what my readers like to put in their cup with this poll. Or comment below!