Yesterday I came to the conclusion that Seattle is the root of all evil. Why is this you may ask. Well to begin with it would be where Microsoft is headquartered. I don’t know if I have to say much more about that! The second reason is that Seattle is also the home of Starbucks. Now don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy a good Carmel Macchiato from there I can’t help but think how Starbucks is taking over the world. I think this was best illustrated by the second Austin Power movie when Number 2 reveals that they own Starbucks and are taking over the world with it. I also mention this because yesterday as I was touring the Forbidden City I came across a Starbucks INSIDE THE FORBIDDEN CITY! For those of you who don’t know or are unfamiliar with it, the Forbidden City is an area within Beijing where the Emperors used to live. For over 500 years no commoner was permitted inside the city’s walls. Now with the changes within China, the gates have been opened for people to tour the city. (I’ll be posting more about my trip there later) How is it that a city that was closed to all but a few people for hundreds of years now has a Starbucks inside?!?! I’m betting it is only a couple of years before McDonalds opens up shop inside there as well. Yes, there are McDonalds in China as well as Wal-Mart. It amazes me how many Western companies are in China and I think that this is a perfect example of it. Don’t forget to check out my pictures, I have pictures of both McDonalds and Starbucks (the one inside the Forbidden City too).