Kurt Groetsch @ OldTasty.com

We’ve been out of coffee at the office for two weeks or more, and this morning I snapped. I just couldn’t stand it any more, so I headed to the nearby Houhai Starbucks, a short 12-yuan cab ride away. While waiting for them to unlock the doors (what kind of coffee shop opens at 10 a.m.?) I was able to walk around and take in the surroundings. Like any other bar district, employees were sweeping up patios, wiping down tables and getting ready for the afternoon’s lunch rush. Retirees from the nearby hutongs were taking their morning constitutionals, and even the pedicab drivers who ply their trade to tourists were taking it easy. It put me in such a good mood, I think I’ll do the same thing tomorrow.