I’ve been burned before by Airbnb listings that say there is coffee but there isn’t, so I was sure to double check before leaving for this last Airbnb.
“There is! Fair trade and organic” was the host’s answer, so I was happy to not have to pack coffee.
I smile when I see the coffee maker, though.
It’s not that I can’t figure out the mechanics of this pour over coffee maker, it’s that I don’t know what the ratio of coffee to water is, and it looks like that’s a metal filter, but there are also paper filters, and it’s already bedtime. I really should figure it out now.
Time to find the coffee. Fortunately, this particular cabinet is labeled.
Unfortunately, the coffee is not what I expected.
Fortunately, I know how to use a coffee grinder. It just makes me laugh. Also, now I need to figure it out before bed so the sound of the grinding coffee doesn’t wake everyone up too early in the morning.
Somehow google is not as helpful as I want it to be. It’s all complicated diagrams and things in grams. The electric kettle they show does almost exactly match the one next to the coffeemaker though, so that’s good news.
I decide to just estimate the amount, and use the advice I see to wet the paper filter.
Unfortunately the coffee grinder doesn’t seem to work. Fortunately, that’s just the outlet.
In the morning my daughter gets the coffee party started. We enjoy the time figuring out an outlet for the kettle and the ratio of the coffee, and then watching the water drip, drip, drip.
We agree that this is a little like Little House on the Prairie, especially because this Airbnb doesn’t have any paper towels, or kitchen towels, or plastic trash bags for wet coffee filters. I hand a dripping rinsed coffee mug to her and she says, “At least Ma had like a rag to dry things off. Or, did she use an apron?”
None of it matters though, because I would drip hot water over any kind of coffee beans, ground or not in order to sit with my college daughter for coffee any morning, any time.
The next morning, she’s back at her dorm. I’m making coffee myself missing her. The boys and I will be checking out of this Airbnb any minute.
I watch the coffee drip, drip, drip.
I wonder why watching coffee slowly drip is something I can only appreciate on vacation.
I throw the wet coffee filter into the plastic bag we brought from our dinner last night.
My daughter texts me that she made her espresso this morning and actually kinda misses the fun coffee drip method.
And I write.
(And now my coffee is cold.)
On a Thought 
I had to giggle at the labeled cabinet. I love how the anticipation you built in this slice over making coffee turns into a sweet and wholesome moment with your daughter!
My favorite was that it was the only labeled cabinet… I kinda wanted them all to be labeled. 🙂
I never thought to ask about the coffee situation at an Airbnb, but now I will! Like the previous commenter, I loved how this turned into a sweet moment with your daughter.
Yes! I always ask now! Even if it lists it in the listing! 🙂
Thanks for sharing. I like the fortunately/unfortunately format. I also love pour-over coffee. I would not love the pressure of figuring it out while on vacation. Good for you for exploring it the night before. Doing it in the morning without caffeine would have been too much.
It was delicious! But, I am definitely glad I didn’t wait until morning to figure it out. 🙂
That is so crazy (and kind of weird) that they took the time to label the cabinet but didn’t think leaving some instructions might be helpful! And what an odd way of “having coffee” in the room. And it seems like they would have mentioned some of this when you reached out and specifically asked about the coffee! And no paper towels or bags?! So weird. But I’m glad you enjoyed the time with your daughter.
Right? I mean, we loved the place and will stay again — but I’m bringing some paper towels and a trash bag. I really appreciate that they are trying to have a low carbon footprint … and I also could have really used a few paper towels 🙂
There’s so much to love about this post. I especially loved reading about the “adventure,” so to speak, of navigating your spartan accommodations. But as so often happens with tricky situations, you turned it into a story, one you can tell for a long time =)
Thank you! One of my most favorite things about March is how daily frustrations become stories!
I’m proud of you for perservering! I also loved that you connected this moment to your love of Little House on the Prairie. ❤
I can’t help it. LOL. That show was such a part of my childhood… and then L’s too!
Ona, reading your posts like this help me to know what slicing (writing) is all about: finding a moment, bringing it to life with details, thoughts, and observations, finding a way to connect this moment to something else, and giving the reader something to ponder/smile about/reflect upon. Just excellent!
Thank you so much!