Today, I went to a tea shop in my city.

My doctor was an hour behind seeing patients. 

At first I felt annoyed ‘couldn’t they have called me to tell me so I can come later?’ 

I had a headache all day and it was getting worse - into migraine territory. 

I don’t medicate myself, unless it is absolutely necessary. The pain is my body telling me what it needs and how I haven’t been taking care of it. 

So, I decided to walk down the street and see what was around and if I can find a spot to sit outside. 

I walked by a tea store that I’ve felt drawn to before. This time I went inside. A soothing cup of tea felt exactly what I wanted as I waited for my appointment. 

I walked in and instantly my whole body relaxed and I slowed down to a crawl. 

The music, the odour, the clanking sounds of the delicate China, all so potent. 

The love of tea emanating from the woman behind the counter. She gave me a menu. I asked where I could find the herbal teas. She pointed me to them. I asked about a tea that was described as oceianic flavour. She asked me if I liked seaweed. I said sometimes. She said that I likely won’t enjoy that tea. 

I then asked about the other tea she pointed out, I can’t remember the name of it. It sounded like something I wanted. I ordered it and browsed while I waited. 

The tea pots so delicate. One white set with a light coloured green bamboo shoots painted on it, stood out to me. 

I got curious ‘tea is such a large part of the Chinese culture, I’m so curious about it and the role it plays in people’s lives.’

As the tea steeped, I asked the woman if she is an owner of the store and she responded with ‘I’m the owner’s daughter.’ I wanted to ask a question but I wasn’t sure what it was yet, so I small talked for a little while until it came to me. 

I asked ‘What’s the significance of Tea in the Chinese culture?’ 

She went onto tell me that tea is a part of the welcoming and greeting of people into the home. They are drunk in meetings and at home. It’s part of their every-day. 

There are teas for different seasons and different purposes. White tea for the transitions between summer and winter. Green tea for the transition between winter and summer because that is when it is harvested and our bodies are looking for the nutrients that tea provides our bodies with. 

She said more, but that is all I remember. More then the content and the words she shared with me, the feeling of being in the store and her presence and sharing of culture is etched into my cells. When she spoke, I felt connected to a world beyond the one I live in. I felt connected to her ancestors and her culture through her. 

I thanked her, paid for my tea and sat down on a bench in front of the store. 

The first sips of tea hitting my lips, tongue, and taste buds. Warm, light, and floral. Perfection.