the hunt
I’ve always loved traveling. Who doesn’t love to travel? Part of the excitement is the research and planning I do ahead of time. Google maps! I pin where I’m staying and then start the research in ever bigger radius. At times I use the street view to actually (virtually) walk the streets. I’ve been around long enough that this is really crazy.
I’m way into AI. I have almost 30 years experience in the tech sector and am all in on using AI. No to write this article though! What I love doing is unleashing bots to help me research. You thought street view was cool - try sending your bots out and have them reporting back.
Okay, so tea. I make a point now of researching tea spots - both to buy tea, check out teaware, and sit and have tea.
some places
#1
I went to Quebec about 2 years ago and came across a fantastic store called Camellia Sinensis. It was in late November, really cold. I walked like 30 minutes freezing so I was in PERFECT shape for the tea experience I had.
Do you know what I didn’t do? I didn’t write down the tea I drank. Oops! Who keeps a journal? I really have to do that.
So, this isn’t a review of that shop but it was great. I had 1:1 service and walked away with some premium tea. They had a huge selection.
#2
Get this. I lived in Boston for 30 years and didn’t go to a great tea spot until the last year I was there. At the Boston Public Library (a fantastic and beautiful building to check out) they have The Courtyard Tea Room. Go! It’s a great english high tea experience. Why oh why did I wait? I was super full afterwards. Afternoon Tea in the English style is super fun and quite a different experience compared to other tea “ceremonies.“
#3
This one I started but it will take its own article. My sister and I got completely tea drunk at a tea bar in NYC. It was insane. Stay tuned….
future trip
I’m in PA now and making a trip to Philly between xmas and new year. I already booked a sesh at Mary Cassatt Tea Room. Wait, get this. I couldn’t even book yet because they don’t open reservations until a month in advance, so I scheduled my AI agent to book it for me. Let’s see if that works but I will definitely do it myself so I get the spot. It’s also around my bday and I can’t think of a better present than winter holiday tea with my family.
this isn’t about reviews
I could definitely start a whole series about reviews of tea shops/spots I find in my travels. I love reading those! You all have that genre nailed and I’m an avid reader so go to it. What I want to convey is the joy I find in the research and the experience of finding the tea spots when I go travel someplace.
the ask
Tell me about any really cool tea experiences you’ve had when you are traveling. Who knows, I might go to the same places and would love to try and have those cool experiences myself. Even if I don’t, I will totally get the joy from reading about yours.
Salud! —Bower