The Cathedral’s sanctuary is completely silent. Sunlight streaks through windows high above, illuminating the otherwise dim chamber. A few small groups of visitors quietly wander along the aisles, looking at the small shrines that lined the walls. I slowly make my way along the path, my eyes scanning the scene, attempting to take everything in, to remember it. Behind me, I hear a squeaking sound followed by fast-paced footsteps. Another squeaking sound is followed by footsteps that sound as if they have grown closer. I turn around to see a child, 12 maybe 13 years old, walking hurriedly towards me, his tennis shoes squeaking with every few steps against the tile floor. No one tells him to slow down or to watch out for the other people. They just step out of his way. I quickly step to the side, eager to avoid a collision. Then, just as he passes me, he lifts one of his feet and, from the sole of his shoe comes two small wheels. He repeats the same steps with his other foot and skates toward a side exit. In seconds, he is gone and the Cathedral is once again silent.
What was I doing here? I do not even drink coffee. Besides, all of these places basically look the same. This place was no different, really. What was the point of my being here? I had no intention of ordering coffee. Yet, there I was, standing in a tiny Starbucks Coffee shop in Seattle. I was not alone. The store was packed to the point where I could hardly move. While most of the people in the store had a drink in hand, I spotted a few who, like me, were just looking around. In any other city, this might have seemed exceedingly strange, going to Starbucks with no intention of getting coffee. But, this was different. This was the first Starbucks. Seattle and coffee are somewhat linked. It was in Seattle that coffee became a pastime. What was once a drink largely reserved for mornings and evening meals, became a day-long obsession. Granted, Starbucks is just another large corporation. But, it was in Seattle that Starbucks began. Seeking out the first store see...
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