I've been here a little over 24 hours and I'm dying for a good cup of coffee, Instant seems to be the only viable option.  Coming from the northeast of the United States, we're all very addicted to caffeine and can't throw a rock without hitting a Starbucks, I found it odd having difficulty finding a coffee shop...or even buying it in the store for that matter.  So how does a country of 1.3 billion people wake up without coffee in the mourning?  Here's what I observed...

I awoke bright and early today 5:30am and decided to wander around and take in the sites.  Directly across from my apartment building, there was a park called Chaoyang.  As I walked through the gates, I noticed that it was bustling with people of all ages...some were walking/jogging...others were doing tai chi, dancing,aerobics, weightlifting, and a variety of stretching/slapping of hands exercises.  The park included well over 400 acres of trails through picturesque views of trees and lakes.  I walked slowly trying to take it all in...

I was taken back by the thousands of people engaging in various forms of exercise so early in the mourning.  I get the sense that this is a daily ritual for many throughout China...very different to what we do in the states.  Perhaps I'm having difficultly finding a coffee shop because people here don't need it...instead of coffee, the use exercise and peaceful rituals to wake up and energize themselves.  Over the next six weeks I'm going to delve much further into the subject of Health & Wellness here in China and throughout the far east.

Getting back to that cup of coffee...I'm currently sitting in a nice restaurant eating breakfast...and the coffee I ordered...you guessed it...instant...Starbucks, I need you badly.  :)

-ben