Scenes From My Life

When one hears the word “tourist,” a certain image likely comes to mind. For me, it is the camera-toting out-of-towner with a well-worn guidebook and map. Eager to see every well-known attraction in a particular city, their trip is scheduled to the last detail. They are there to see their destination’s highlights . . . and only the highlights. They will return to their homes at the end of the trip with more than a few stories and, probably, some gift shop-purchased souvenirs. But, something will remain missing. The itinerary of a traveler, by contrast, is often less structured. While they, too, may consult guidebooks and maps, their trip is decidedly less predetermined. Though there may be attractions to see, travelers do not mind stepping off of the beaten path. Seeing not just the highlights, but what else there is to see. Travelers are there for the experience. Tourists often operate on such a rigid schedule that there seems to be little ...

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...