Once in a lifetime it happens. You arrive from one place after a long trip and are about to leave for another faraway location. Few things matter in such a situation, except maybe for tickets and schedules. Food becomes an unnecessary luxury – or maybe unnecessary liability. Who wants a heavy belly while riding an oscillating vehicle?

So you arrive to an in-between place and have some time to kill, but not enough to allow a proper break. No time for a quick shower in a cheap hotel. No time for a short walk to an unknown place. There is time just for putting the luggage at the terminal storage and for a short search after some quick satisfaction. Comfort food is an easy solution.

So you walk around, blinking at the bright lights, ignoring the sweet sound of the unknown language, failing to notice the unforgiving crowds. Looking around for something recognizable. Yearning for an unknown.

So you walk around and then you see a humble stall selling coffee. Nothing pretentious. A bar-like setup and a few simple tables scattered around it. A basic menu caters for the thousands passing through every day. It looks as good as any other place. There as many reasons to adopt it as to reject it. Out of complete indifference you sit down and ask for a cappuccino. Another fifteen minutes to kill.

Soon, a smiling waitress puts a simple paper cup in front of you and waits for her tip. How do they call their money here? Before touching the cup, a last thought crosses your mind: maybe it isn’t such a good idea to drink a coffee before a long trip at night. Then, too tired to consider the thought seriously, you take a last look at the foamy drink and follow it with a shallow sip. A second later, you realize you are drinking one of your best coffees ever. Welcome to Brazil!