Ok, I just paid $7.50 for an avocado coconut pineapple shake with a shot of spirulina added. I thought “39 yuan, ok. Plus 8 for the shot. Ok.” But $7.50? That’s outrageous. And my neighbors just lit up cigarettes so now I will enjoy lunch and the smell of cigarette smoke. Need to get over it. Small price to pay to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here. Although the pop rap music is hideous.
The swordfish with green sauce is excellent. I am at Element Fresh, a chain restaurant selling western-type food. Today the couscous actually has a lot of flavor. I am starving. Hard to say how yummy it would be otherwise but I am pretty sure this one is way better. Often the couscous side for the swordfish is tasteless.
They do have an excellent sauce for their black eyed peas. Cumin something. Why am I at Element Fresh for lunch? Because it’s easy. They speak English enough and the menu is in English and has somewhat familiar western food. I love Chinese food but it takes more work to choose a place, order, and communicate. Honestly, I don’t know how everyone can afford it here. It’s $30 a person if you get a meal and a drink, and most of them do.