On 21 Mar 2005 11:38:45 -0800, Ripon wrote:

> I am a big fan of street food vendors. Whatever food the street vendors
> offer, I like to try. I was sick couple of times but so far nothing
> serious happened to me. Anyway, last weekend I was driving through the
> Maputo coast line and stop by a place call- Costa de sal. I heard from
> many foreigners that this is a wonderful place for fresh sea food and
> Portuguese drinks. When I went their, I was amazed to see this huge sea
> food restaurant just next to the ocean. I was wondering, where am I
> because all white people in the restaurant and the parking lot. I know
> majority foreigners here are European(many of them Portuguese, French,
> some Italian and English). Near the parking lot, I saw many street food
> vendors and changed my mind to try the local food. One common picture
> around Maputo is- street vendors always offer grilled chicken(Zambezi
> chicken coated with a lot of garlic, butter and coconut cream) and hot
> drinks(coffee or tea). I have seen this sign board written "Cafe com
> leite or Cha com leite" many places. I though why don't I try my
> favorite street vendor's food. I ordered half Zambezi grilled chicken,
> garlic bread and Cha com leite.
>
> Cha(tea) com(with) leite(milk):
>
> It is a total coffee style tea with 4 oz cup. 1/3 of cup comes with
> very strong black tea liquor and separate crème or leite ( actually
> the leite is a mix of cream:milk /50:50). I tried some tea before
> pouring milk. ugggg I couldn't even drink it because it was too strong.
> People around me were laughing and one girl came to help me. She pours
> the entire cream and milk mix. The mix leite and tea became exactly one
> full cup. Then add some brown sugar or the white sugar can be dirty
> sugar- Then she showed me, how to drink it- straight shot like
> Tequila. I have seen in Italy, some people drink espresso shot like
> this, but tea? This is the first time, I have seen something like this.
> What the heck, I did the same and it was a wow experience. the leite
> kill the bitterness and make the liquor smooth. I had total six shots
> and it was very tasty. I know some people might say, this tea is not
> healthy or a proper way to drink tea. Hey, we have many different ways
> to enjoy the same thing. I am hooked with the style and will enjoy for
> a while. BTW I couldn't find out the source and grade of the tea. I
> left that enquiry for some other time rather then chatting, eating and
> drinking cha com leite with local people.
>
> Ripon
> Maputo, Mozambique

I must tell you - and Lewis Perin - that these snippets of your travel
diaries are the most fascinating reads on Usenet. I always look forward to
your posts!

Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!

--
Cordially,

Sonam Dasara
3/21/2005 3:44:32 PM
dovekeeper+at+electric-ink+dot+com