Coimbra’s consistent good value for money

So far surprisingly accurate except for frequent faults caused by winter overloads and possible illegal connections.
What amazed me one recent evening was a phone call from my local ZESA depot greeting me by name, claiming to be in the neighbourhood and demanding, with an uncommon sense of urgency, access to the substation so that our problem could be sorted. Long gone are the days when ZESA kept the keys to the substations. All over the city, neighbourhood groups have come together to refurbish vandalised transformers and now keep them under lock and key, allowing only supervised access to the power authority. An hour later power was restored highlighting the dual reality that I am increasingly experiencing.
In one world bright, polite young men answer the phone and technicians are dispatched even in darkness to fix faults fast and efficiently. A far cry from the more common reality where suburbs go without power for days and technicians need to be collected by customers to battle with ageing and recalcitrant equipment. 
On a similar note I was struck by the glaring contrast between Coimbra’s actual and virtual existence. Have you ever looked at their entry on Eatout Zimbabwe? It bears almost no relationship to the restaurant at all.
“Coimbra enclosures centuries of History, covered by a magnificent landscape of white houses, crossed by a thousand streets, arches and alleys, all sloping as in a theater to the Mondego River.  Situated in the center region of Portugal, this city is the third in importance of the country. The University, the Abbeys and Churches and its People, make it a welcoming place. The gastronomy of this region is characterised by the well flavored and cooked meals very much to the taste of the Portuguese . . . etc,etc.” 
Sure it might be good to know the origins of a name and a place – but when there is NO mention of the Zimbabwean offers, it doesn’t really make sense to have it as the description on the website.
I don’t know how many people find it through the internet, but if you were a stranger in town and found that description you would be very confused.
The actual Coimbra in Selous Avenue is quick and convenient with a regular clientele. Perhaps the oldest piri-piri chicken outlet in town, I remember going there decades ago with babies in prams. Is piri-piri chicken the capital’s most popular food to eat out? Judging by midweek lunch it could be. Coimbra had almost all tables occupied and punters know they can be in and out within the hour.
We got there early – 1230ish and all of us ordered the house speciality – half-chicken and chips for US$11. Most people seemed to be having the same. Service was quick – guess they have a system of precooking those chooks and giving them a quick blast to finish off as they are ordered. It works though. Chicken is good and quality consistent. The chips were hot and not soggy. Oil (not olive), vinegar for the chips and signature hot sauce is on the table- along with a good pile of paper napkins needed for mopping up sticky fingers. Salad hasn’t changed for decades and features far too much grated carrot, nondescript cheese and iceberg lettuce. Remi-nded me of watching Jamie Oliver on television shooting iceberg lettuce like clay pigeons!
Coimbra offers good value for money, fast service and no surprises but in this century, an up-to-date internet presence is almost as important as the welcoming bright yellow gate.

-g.jeke@yahoo.com