There are two types of people in this world; those who love and drink coffee and those who don’t!

A Barista, like a symphony maestro, orchestrates a litany of requests in rapid succession; but you can’t just order a coffee without knowing which type of coffee you would like –

 cappuccino, espresso, macchiato, corretto, lungo, doppio, ristretto, bollente, in vetro.

The hissing of the milk steamer, the thumping of the filters being emptied, the clatter of the cups and the saucers, the clinking of tiny spoons, and the enveloping heavy aroma are a feast for all the senses.

Spirited simultaneous conversations from the constant stream of loyal clientele cover subjects as broad as soccer scores, love affairs, daily headlines, politics, and the last or the next meal, of course.

Lingering is not the point here; espresso is meant to be consumed quickly, while standing at the bar.  “un espresso“, comes from the term  “expressly prepared for he who requests it”  One can enjoy un caffe’ , anytime, but cappuccino must never, never be ordered after a meal as it impedes digestion, and will brand you as a foolhardy tourist.