Harajuku Cafe

I rarely use my macchinetta and I don't know why. Maybe it's the putting it together, taking it apart, cleaning, resetting the grinder--I don't think any of that should be a barrier but it appears like it is so because I love the coffee it makes but hardly brew a batch at home.

This particular machine was picked up for me by the imcomparable Trisha Poole; she's the hottie on the left wearing a hanbok. Macchinettas, like a bunch of other weird things, are really pricey here in Korea. I think it's because the people managing the economy want to protect the domestic macchinetta manufacturing sector and the horrible loss of jobs that would occur if Italy was allowed to compete on even ground. Trisha picked this one up for me in Oz for about twenty thousand won, a normal sounding price compared to the prices of fifty or sixty thousand won in Korea. (They're not even special macchinettas; just ordinary supermarket machines. No famous designer; they should be stamping "generico" on them.) Rest the grinder on powder and filled it up. The aroma of the coffee was incredible, like once again seeing an old girlfriend that you didn't break up with but simply moved away. Mixed with some half 'n' half despite my lactose intolerance. I can handle a bit especially in the morning. And yes that's a pint of Darigold Half and Half from Seattle. No growth hormones and frightfully expensive.

Sunday morning started well. Going to meet Yaejee at one of the Uzbeki cafes today so Sunday afternoon should go well, too.