iPhone Coffee Montage

If I've learned anything at all from following vloggers and bloggers, it's that you must, at some point in your life, create a coffee montage. Folks, I'll be honest. I'm not even trying very hard on this one. I sleepily and lazily shot this with an iPhone. Let's get busy.

Step 1: Water

Daily life in Mexico is not that different than it was in Austin, Texas. One way in which it varies is that here in Morelia I get my drinking and cooking water the way many of my neighbors do - in garrafones (20 liter/5 gallon containers) that are delivered to my door. Puerta Vallarta is one of the few places in Mexico where you can safely drink water from the tap.

You'll note I'm pumping it out of the garrafon. I have a delightfully cute, colorful, Talavera pottery water dispenser we bought in Dolores Hidalgo while we were living in San Miguel, but I am tired of lifting those heavy beasts up and flipping them over into the dispenser. So I got lazy and started using the pump. So. Much. Easier.

Why am I not just using a Mr. Coffee? Don't like 'em. Coffee makers never get the coffee hot enough. I just think it tastes better when I use a French press.

See the eggs behind the coffee press? That's another thing that's different here. Eggs aren't refrigerated. Did you know if you don't wash the eggs when you collect them that the natural coating on them will keep them fresh on the counter for about 2 weeks? True. If you wash them you take that coating off and then you must refrigerate them.

Those eggs were collected from truly free range happy chickens that live on a big farm near Pátzcuaro. I have faith this is true. I've seen the videos from the lady who collects the eggs.

Step 2: Beans

Yeah, I grind my own. I'm not a Philistine. Actually, I would happily use pre-ground coffee, but finding organic can be a chore here. My most recent find - and it's freakin' delicious - is a whole-bean organic I found at Costco. They didn't have it last time I was there. I am currently stocked, but a little nervous about its' recent absence.

Step 3: Stir, wait, press

Ugh! The waiting. Three whole minutes? Geez.

Step 4: Prep, pour, drink

DeLora likes a latte/hot milk action in her coffee, whereas I'm more of a black coffee with a little sweetener sort of person.

After the coffee is ready, all that's left to do is drink it while watching some of our favorite vloggers.

Step 5: Well, that was unexpected

Today there was a step 5. DeLora left for yoga. While I was finishing my coffee, the doorbell rang. It was a nice little lady with striking eyes and a great manicure (purple nails. . . points for that). She was with the local Jehovah's Witnesses and was canvasing the neighborhood. I guess God doesn't do his own marketing.

I didn't have the heart to tell her I was only listening to her spiel so I could count it as part of my Spanish lesson for the day. She did have a badass Bible app on her phone, so more points (in addition to manicure points) for that. Also, I knew most of the verses she quoted, but I learned them in English, so it was an instant translation in my head. Even more points for that, so clearly this lady is winning the Jehovah's Witness 500 right now.

The title of the pamphlet translates to "what is the meaning of life?" I've read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I already know the answer to that. (Spoiler alert: the answer is 42.)

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