Category: Starbucks around the world

Starbucks Around the World: Houston, TX

Any subscribers will be glad to hear that this ends the whirlwind update from “that other travel blog”.  Bringing you this last Starbucks Around the World from Houston means I’m up-to-date (on Starbuckses, anyway) and I won’t be clogging up your newsfeed nearly as much.  Although, I have to say, it’s been so fun for me to go through all of these memories.  In the end, I’m sure you realize that it’s not about the Starbucks, or the coffee.  This is about experiencing the everyday life and cultures of different places around the world.  It’s about what is different, and what is very much the same – such as a daily cup of coffee.  I hope you’re enjoying the ride as much as I am….

Disclaimer: Since Travelpod does not allow you to export blogs, I shall be bringing old entries to you slowly, but surely, through good, old-fashioned (and painstakingly arduous) Cut-and-paste.

July 29, 2010

Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m crazy about Texas (insert sarcasm here).  Don’t get me wrong, I know a lot of nice people from Texas, but a seriously bad 48 hours in Dallas and general disdain for big hair have left me a little underwhelmed about the idea of making this state a destination spot.  On the way to Oaxaca, our 30-minute stopover in Houston meant of course that we’d miss our connecting flight and end up hanging out at George Bush International Airport for 3 hours.  At least it gave us time to stop off for the first (and presumably only) Starbucks hit in Texas.  I think it was a green tea, actually.

In the end, George Bush turned out alright – the airport, anyway – and we got where we needed to go (with a surprise trip to Mexico City and an impromtu visit with Nancy’s Aunt).  And according to our friend Shannon (the best thing from Texas, as far as I’m concerned), if ever there again after 10am there’s great BBQ in terminal C….

p.s. check me out with all my style points on Unstitched, a fantastically beautiful blog with a great series on traveling.

Starbucks Around the World: Chicago, IL

Disclaimer: Since Travelpod does not allow you to export blogs, I shall be bringing old entries to you slowly, but surely, through good, old-fashioned (and painstakingly arduous) Cut-and-paste.

July 30, 2010

Quite before the crack of dawn, this Starbucks stop is at O’Hare International Airport at the beginning of our beautiful trip to Oaxaca, Mexico in the summer of 2010.  It was so early I don’t even remember what I drank, but I assume it was caffeinated and included a yogurt parfait.

I am rather glad to report that Oaxaca has no ‘Bucks, so you will only witness two entires on this adventure, both in airports. However, coffee was still prevalent on this trip-I witnessed an up close and personal view of for real “Shade Grown Mexico” on the side of a mountain near Pluma Hidalgo, Oaxaca.

Starbucks Around the World: London, KY

Disclaimer: Since Travelpod does not allow you to export blogs, I shall be bringing old entries to you slowly, but surely, through good, old-fashioned (and painstakingly arduous) Cut-and-paste.

August 21, 2009

After an amazing (still-to-be-uploaded-to-Wordpress) adventure in the Smoky’s, nothing brings you back to “civilization” like a roadside rest and a strong drip coffee.  Having little hope for a Starbucks store between the park and Louisville (a 6+ hour drive), we had stopped off in Jalisco, TN for a canned double shot at a gas station before finding this beauty in London, KY.  Bam.  One-stop shopping with a clean place to pee, a drip coffee, and a Steak N Shake next door.

Starbucks Around the World: Louisville, KY

Disclaimer: Since Travelpod does not allow you to export blogs, I shall be bringing old entries to you slowly, but surely, through good, old-fashioned (and painstakingly arduous) Cut-and-paste.

August 8, 2009

Well, if you look real close, there’s little old me at the big old Starbucks.  Louisville was our stop off city on a road trip to Smoky Mountain National Park.  A short walk from the hotel lead us to the Louisville Convention Center and the first hit in the Southern states.  I made it a mocha since it doubled as my breakfast.  Per tradition, I asked the barista if they carried city mugs and he replied with a slight southern tang, “Nope.  Small market.”

Right.

In any case, the Starbucks experience and Southern charm are a very good pair.  Big thumbs up for this little store in the big convention center in this little city in the big South.

Starbucks Around the World: Burlingame, CA

Disclaimer: Since Travelpod does not allow you to export blogs, I shall be bringing old entries to you slowly, but surely, through good, old-fashioned (and painstakingly arduous) Cut-and-paste.

July 28, 2009

In truth, this was not a very good Starbucks.  It took a really, really long time to get my beverage and wasn’t clean.  However, I have to appreciate the truly charming atmosphere of Burlingame Avenue and gaggles of hip California college students studying inside. Plus, I desperately needed to pee.  This photo is a bittersweet moment after having lunch with my Aunt Barbara, who I hadn’t seen in about 15 years, and before traveling to the airport for the return flight to Chicago.  Way to deliver on the ‘Bucks, California.

Starbucks Around the World: Healdsburg, CA

Disclaimer: Since Travelpod does not allow you to export blogs, I shall be bringing old entries to you slowly, but surely, through good, old-fashioned (and painstakingly arduous) Cut-and-paste.

July 27, 2009

After a seriously intense day of 95-plus degree wine tastings through beautiful Sonoma County with my family, I can think of nothing more refreshing than the shaded awning of a Starbucks store and an iced coffee in my personal mug.  Admittedly tipsy and overheated, this is a day that’s slightly blurry, but certainly not forgotten.

Starbucks Around the World: Hercules, CA

Disclaimer: Since Travelpod does not allow you to export blogs, I shall be bringing old entries to you slowly, but surely, through good, old-fashioned (and painstakingly arduous) Cut-and-paste.

July 27, 2009

First hit in the state of my birth.  Thankfully, my Mother and Step-father (travel companions on this quick trip to California for my Grandparents’ 75th birthday(s) party) are hungry on the way to Hidden Valley Lake, because their fortuitous stop at a Burger King afforded me this shot of the Starbucks store next door.  I think it was a refreshing iced coffee, just what the doctor ordered for a long car ride through sunny central California.