My World Café – insights & experiences from my travels, café visits and daily life.
Business & Career Mentor, Photographer, Aviator
The post-covid Identity Crisis of the Hospitality Industry: "Staff Shortages", "Tip-flation" and ever less Value for Money. Read about good and bad Examples. It borders on absurdity: A section of a pub is closed, due to "staff shortage". Then I endure an endless wait for my food. And finally, the debit-machine gives me a choice… Continue reading Hospitality is in Crisis – Value for Money has almost become the Exception
(Title photo: Ice Dragon Teeth. Ice stalagmites and - stalactites forming teeth-like ice sculptures. Close-up taken along the Yukon River in Whitehorse.) It could all be so warm and fuzzy I read a love story generated by AI. Not more shallow than any of today's junk-books. Authentic enough and quite sweet. My wife read an… Continue reading Sinister Perils are looming behind today’s AI-Hype. Don’t become an “AI-Lemming”!
I am sick of covid as an Excuse for bad Service We're currently travelling in the Okanagan, a premier wine region in British Columbia. It is truly amazing how covid splits prevailing attitudes: Many are slacking off, hiding behind covid; while others go the extra mile and perform at their best. They both still have… Continue reading Covid – an Excuse for everything or an Incentive to do better?
Bad News first Printing Money has a huge delayed Cost Governments' massive stimulus packages will eventually have to be paid for. But how and by whom? One undesirable scenario is hyperinflation - inflating the debt away. With the incredible amounts of money being printed now, inflation is kept artificially low. The other - more likely… Continue reading Our post-Corona Future
Boheme Singer at her CD release concert at Salon Moonbow Feb. 8 In the midst of the Corona virus crisis, it is very fortunate that Korean artists are still expressing themselves - inspiring others and demonstrating that life does go on. Take Boheme Singer for example. Her musical videos on Instagram brighten up my days.… Continue reading Korean People are resilient – let their Art speak!
I first visited Moon Space Star Café with a friend. Today I came back. Why? Because I was intrigued by the unique atmosphere and the view of Seoul Forest Park; and because of this: Suddenly the electricity went out. The breaker box happened to be high above our table. I kind of shoved JiEun aside… Continue reading Moon Space Star Café at Seoul Forest Park – don’t miss it!
Finding a café in Korea that is open before 9:00 am is very difficult. Café Gabie is open 24/7! Maybe that's no coincidence, being so close to Hongik University, Korea's leading university for creative professions. Wikipedia writes: "...widely regarded as the best architecture and art school in rivalry with Seoul National University." Creative types often… Continue reading Café Gabie in Hongdae – a unique space for good coffee, company and work
Cafés open late in the morning in Korea - people's rhythms are just different. So I found Jass Café that was open early on Sunday. The Barista there is very cool - not only is her English excellent (she doesn't believe me OMG), but we had a very inspiring conversation. And THEN she pointed me… Continue reading The Famous Lamb in Hongdae – a café in its own class! Korean kindness abounds.
Giovane Café at The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver Giovane is a vibrant café - bistro where you always get fresh fare with an italian culinary touch. Early breakfasts and late lunches are best. Their flower arrangements are beautiful, and Giovane has an ambiance where you just want to sit and enjoy yourself. The… Continue reading Canada has cool Cafés too!
There are so many personal links between Canada and Korea. Many Koreans have relatives in Canada, and Canada is high on their list of travel destinations. Northern Lights and scenery are major attractions. Conversely, many Canadians taught English in Korea, have hosted Korean students or have Korean-Canadian friends. The Korean Café-Scape is amazing - the… Continue reading Comparing Korean and Canadian Lifestyles
My World Café - insights & experiences from my travels, café visits and daily life. 