The trouble with Half-Caf.
Although I am somewhat know for my love of my coffee, and in general people think I must be addicted to the stuff, I actually almost always drink Decaf, so don’t actually suffer withdrawals and the “need” for caffeine.
However sometimes I really do want a hit of the real stuff. In fact one of the benefits of drinking decaf all the time is that your body isn’t used to a constant stream of “wake up” juice, so when you really need to wake up (say when driving and getting a bit tired) a shot of caffeine actually has a marked effect. I get very talkative. Well, more talkative, and then generally have a headache the next day.
If I have caffeine and sugar – well – you would need to be stopping me bouncing off the walls.
So sometimes what is nice is to get a Half Caf. Wakes me up without making me jumpy, and without the headache the next day!
One shot Caf, one shot decaf. Or more easily – just fill have the coffee holder with one type of coffee and fill it with the other. Like magic – the juice that comes out the other end is Half Caf.
It’s actually quite hard to explain this concept in New Zealand I have noticed. Getting Decaf isn’t an issue (though there are one or two places left that will serve you instant crap). But so far the only places I have found that understand Half Caf are Bambinos in Carterton (now Tarragon- and thank you Jen!) Starbucks, and Cafe Neo on Willis St in Welly.
But if this is what you really want – stick with it. Most people have their “favorite” cafes that they basically live or work in, so there’s no harm in getting them acquainted with what you like. Most cafes will learn your order off by heart within a few trips there anyway.
Should Wellington be Pedestrianised?
There is an interesting article in the Dom Post today – about whether or not the city of Wellington should be made more Pedestrian Friendly. The call comes from Sir Robert Jones – not a man known to pull his punches when it comes to voicing his opinion. Good man!
He apparently even said that Wellington’s Café culture was “crap” compared to Europe’s! I actually disagree with that on the basis that our coffee is way better! However the point he is making here is that we just don’t have the ability to sit outside and enjoy a quiet cup of coffee in the sun without choking on car or bus fumes. And we certainly can’t have a lingering chat over the coffee with a friend because of the noise.
Lambton Quay Shopping
The Mayor of Wellington, while agreeing with Sir Robert, claims that Wellington is too “young” to make it pedestrian-friendly. Hmm – what on earth does that mean???
It has to turn the equivalent of 18 before we hand it the keys???
I would love to see Lambton Quay become pedestrianised. It’s the main shopping street in the city – and it would be lovely to meander more easily. It would also be lovely to sit and drink coffee outside. What I don’t understand is that Christchurch has a lovely pedestrian only shopping area in the city – which makes wandering round much more relaxed and pleasant – and Auckland has the Vulcan Lane area to wander round.
So I’m firmly with Sir Robert Jones on this! Get traffic out of the shopping and café areas – and really give Wellington a bit of polish!
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