Eric's Beijing Diary

Saturday morning at the Lush. The first time I came here was less than a week after I arrived in China. I had been without coffee for about four days, and I was in serious withdrawall. After a few minutes, I noticed that I was "guarding" my coffee. I must have looked like I was ready to pulverize the first person who would try to take it from me. I really was addicted to that stuff. I still like coffee as much as I always did. But I drink a lot less of it now. Fortunately, I really do like tea.

This place is run by a Kiwi who has been in China about 5 years. I asked him if there were a lot of Kiwis in China. He said there weren't a lot of Kiwis anywhere. He's right. I have met a lot of Australians here, but only a couple of folks from New Zealand. He's not always here on weekends, because he has a place in the country out by the Wall. During the week, I usually eat at a local "working man's" restaurant near the campus. This is a bit further, and a lot more expensive, but I usually come here for bacon and eggs on Saturday. Costs 30 kwai, almost four US dollars. The breakfast I get on weekdays costs 3-4 kwai--about fifty cents.

At this place, expats kinda drift in and out through the day. I never come here in the evening, because they turn down the lights, and the place adopts more of a bar atmosphere. I am a reader. Once the lights go down and I can't read, I have no more reason to be here. But for breakfast, this place is nice. I try to get here early, and I generally have the place to myself.