COFFEE TIME

Coming from small town in New York, one of the things I enjoyed growing up was the local diner in town.  It was always a treat to go have lunch or a morning coffee.  The crowd was local, you seemed to know everyone that came in for a brief time to just chat and enjoy a good cup of coffee and socialize.  Sparky’s and Rosie’s, 2 local establishments were the epitome of small town Diners.  

I thought I would never get to experience that again moving to Mexico.  As an Expat, I am certainly not local, but living outside the Expat Circle, I have made many local friends who have been a great source of knowledge and influence.  Socializing on the Local Level has probably taught me more about Mexico than I ever would have imagined.  The only way I can describe it is this:  As an Expat we tend to see Mexico from the outside looking inward.  Socializing with my local friends has taught me to look outward and see Mexico as they see it.  Forget the tourism, the beaches, the overpriced restaurants.  The local scene is where the heart is so to speak.  

Alma and I are very good friends, a Chilanga, originally from CDMX.  She is an entrepreneur, a graphic artist, and we are both Principals in our Homeowners Association.  She is also my Editor and a dear friend.  She has become sort of a Mentor on all things from the Local Perspective.  She could and will speak English, if necessary, but we prefer to speak Spanish.  She has carte blanche to correct me when I mispronounce or err in grammar.  Together we dispel the myths of our different cultures and learn that we are not far apart in all of our hopes, dreams and experiences.  Friendships have no borders.

Earlier this week we took a trip to Home Depot together, and afterwards she suggested we go for coffee.  Going for coffee in the traditional Mexican way at a Mexican Coffee Shop is an experience.  I soon realized that a Mexican Coffee Shop is the Diner that I have been missing.  Filled with Locals, not a table to be had.  We were lucky and were seated quickly.  The Clientele are local couples having a great afternoon chat, a group of ladies enjoying the gossip of the day, businessman having a light lunch and strategizing, a husband and wife enjoying a moment.  All typical Diner banter, proving life on the surface is no different here than at home.  But HOME is now here not there.

Biscuits Obregon is a Mexican Chain in Central Mexico, especially in the Mexico City Area.  They have over 111 locations throughout the Republic and one here in Playa del Carmen.  In CDMX it is a place to reconnect, to warm up on a chilly or rainy afternoon, socialize, reminisce, and just be human again.  As soon as I entered the shop, the Diner sensation magically reappeared.  Booths and no tables.  True Americana in a Mexican atmosphere.  I was home again.  The menu is light fare of traditional dishes all made by hand in the kitchen, just like home.  The highlights are the traditional pastries and Café con Leche.  The sounds are incredible, the steaming of the milk, the pounding of the beef in the kitchen to create a Milanesa paper thin and oh so good.  The aroma of fresh pastries and café fills the air.

If you have never had the chance to enjoy true Mexican Café, here is a good place to start.  Don’t expect a coffee cup.  Café con Leche is served piping hot in a glass.  Your waiter shows up with a carafe of fresh café and a pitcher of steamed milk.  Served traditionally, you are asked how much coffee you would like, “dos dedos por favor” (2 fingers, please).  Then comes the milk which is poured traditionally.  This may not seem very different until the waiter lifts the pitcher high in the air and pours the milk from about a height of 1 meter filling your glass to the rim without spilling a drop.  The next step is choosing your pastry and the marathon begins.  Our coffee meet was 4 hours.  No rush, no evil eye from the wait staff, it is expected, you are living and participating in a true Mexican Tradition.