The Oriental Pearl Tower with a Diet Coke for comparison
They say you can't buy happiness. But, you sure can buy a Coke.
In my travels across East Asia this past summer, Coke has been among my top beverage of choice. It's always there in the corner of convenience stores. You can buy it in the can or a plastic bottle. No matter where you are, it is an item oh-so-familiar. You won't miss it, and in the hot, humid summer weather of Asia, you'll be thankful for it.
I sure am thankful for Coke, so much so that I am dedicating this appreciation post to it. There is something about the crisp, bubbly sensation as it hits your tongue that brings you back to life in the sweltering, humid heat. In Taiwan, I remember the hot nights and drinking diet Coke in the corner of a Family Mart. There's nothing like that experience.
So when I think back about this past summer, I think of the delicious food, mystical forests, impressive temples, the Jigokudani Snow Monkeys, and the hospitable locals. I also think of drinking Diet Coke in the corner of a Family Mart. And, it is astounding to me how something so common has transformed into such a unique experience in another time and place. From one traveler to another, let me share with you the joy of Coke.