I love bagels

I have been working in a software company for 8 years. 3 months ago, I finally had a chance to visit our company’s US office for a global meeting. Although I had studied in the US for 3 years, that was more than 10 years ago. I was quite nervous to be back in the US, as I no longer have confidence in my English skill after living in Japan for so many years.


Fortunately, the hotel was just a 3-minute walk away from the office. I felt lucky that I did not need a car; otherwise it would have been a big challenge for me to drive alone from the airport to the hotel. The trip was pretty smooth. The flight was on time, and the driver, holding a placard with my name on it, was waiting for me in the arrival area. The driver dropped me at the front door of the hotel, and I had no problems checking into my room. One of my US colleagues took me to dinner and brought me back to the hotel. Everything on the first day seemed to work out perfectly fine. It was only around midnight that I started to remember something...

I was working in the hotel room to prepare materials for the Tomorrow’s meeting. Suddenly, I had a strange feeling. I realized I had forgotten something very important. Because my US colleagues took care of my pick-up and meals, I did not yet have a chance to spend any money. It means I had no 1 dollar bills on hand! I did prepare some 5’s and 10’s to tip the driver and waitstaff but no 1’s. I thought I would have had a chance to get some 1’s when buying my dinner. It was already 2 o’clock in the morning. Where could I get some 1’s for room service? I ran to the reception desk to ask for change, but the hotel did not provide this kind of service. I felt terrible that I forgot such a simple but important thing!

At 5:50AM, I woke up and decided to go find a gas station. If I remember correctly, gas stations are usually combined with small snack shops. I should be able to buy some chocolate or cookies to getting change. Fortunately, I found a gas station easily right across the street. Next to the gas station, there was another little store that just turned its lights on. So early in the morning! I wondered what the store was. I got close to the store and tried to read its sign: “New York Bagel”. Oh! My goodness! It was my favorite “New York Bagel”! I almost forgot how much I loved it when studying in the US 15 years ago. In such a stressful morning, the “New York Bagel” store was just like an old friend suddenly appearing in front of me.

"Heavy Onion with smoked salmon cream cheese, toasted, and hot coffee please!" It was no problem at all for me to complete the order in the bagel shop. I got my desired 1 dollar bill and of course, my favorite bagel breakfast! For the rest of the 3 day business trip, every morning at 6:00AM, I was the first customer to arrive at that bagel store. I was there to get my lovely breakfast and energy to face the day. It reminded me of my college days.

I love bagels!