That was very nice, something form my own country, even if you were short changed for 25 mL. It can be much worse, a mini 150 mL can of Coke costs 3 euros in Ryanair planes. On Aer Lingus a European standard 330 mL can costs 2 euros, ice included, on European flights.
Imagine, I hate hot weather and soon I will flee to Ireland in the hope that the temperature will stay around 20 degrees there. 40 degrees, yuk! However, I have experienced 30 degrees and more in Ireland. In Spain the great heat has started: 40 + degrees inland. Han ----- Original Message ----- From: Paul Trusten To: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Sunday, 2009, June 14 18:15 Subject: [USMA:45234] Dutch treat Back in Texas, delighted to have escaped the traditionally belated New England summer! Only 10 to 12 degrees all last week and gloomy rain. Back to my 40-degree West Texas blue sky. Love it! I'm only going to visit Boston in July from now on. But, an interesting encounter on my return trip yesterday. After my initial flight, Continental Airlines, Boston to Houston, reached the "serving" altitude yesterday, the flight attendants began giving out the usual beverages. I asked for a regular Coca-Cola. Normally, I get something with Six Flags being advertised around the top of the can, but this time I spotted something unusual there. It read, "Win tickets voor de Zomerfestivals!" Huh? Zomerfestivals? Was Coca Cola running something from the Pennsylvania Dutch? Nope, these were the Rotterdam Dutch.This was a European product, not a U.S. product. On the other side of the can, I saw "0,33L e," (the "e" being the Eurpoean Union symbol). What was this can doing on a domestic flight? This Coca Cola tasted genuine, like the kind I had as a kid, and sure enough, it contained suiker, not, as far as I can tell, any fructose corn syrup, or whatever else makes U.S. Coca Cola taste like corrupted cinnamon with a microscopic dash of real Coke syrup. I looked around, and it was easy to see that other passengers were drinking U.S. Coca Cola (the current-design cans are easy to spot with the array of stars on them). When the flight attendant returned, I asked, "Could I have another Dutch Coke?" She gave me a bewildered look, and I explained what I had noticed. Took her about 15 minutes to find me another one, but she did. She said that the beverages come from a central supply site for the airline (which, of course, travels internationally). She said they pick up beverages everywhere they serve. Of course, this can was not the "standard" U.S. can. It contained 25 mL less beverage than a U.S. can of soda. I was short-changed, but I made the most of the experience (grin). Australian soda cans are 375 mL. Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Public Relations Director U.S. Metric Association, Inc. www.metric.org 3609 Caldera Blvd. Apt. 122 Midland, Texas 79707-2872 US +1(432)528-7724 [email protected]
