In blog

breakfast in beijing

Posted by eve on Jun 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

Truth be told, I hate chinese breakfasts.   Morning has me yearning for a cappuccino.  China hasn’t caught on to coffee yet, and most local cafes only open late, at 10 or 11 am.   That leaves only one option while I’m in Beijing.  Starbucks.

I’ve quickly come to a routine I love.  Every morning I get on my borrowed bicycle and ride fifteen minutes to the Starbucks on the other side of Tsinghua’s campus.   There I indulge in my very western habits while I begin to write.    I have just a few hours here every day for work.  Afternoons are given over to sight-seeing.

While Starbucks is not “local”, the morning trip on my rickety bicycle is.  I ride alongside the other thousands on their bikes as they head towards their destinations. This is how you fit in in Beijing.

Isn’t being a tourist more fun when you have a purpose?

2 comments

  1. Sara Blumenstein
    July 2, 2011

    Hi Eve! One more Beijing recommendation: you should check out office supply stores and stationery shops while in Beijing — I found lots of great envelopes, sketchbooks and notebooks while I was in China that I am still using three years on.

    Enjoying your China posts!

  2. eve
    July 2, 2011

    Hi Sara! I’m ahead of you. I bought an amazing supply of paintbrushes for my artist daughter at a tiny hole-in-the-wall stationary shop, but it sounds like I should go back and buy some sketchbooks as well. Stone Boat Cafe was lovely. Thanks for recommending it!