MD

I have to admit something.

I don't like water and I LOVE Mountain Dew.

(For those of you that do not know what Mountain Dew is, it is a lemon-lime flavoured soda made by Pepsi.)

I used to drink Mountain Dew quite a lot- 3-4 cans a day-not necessarily for the caffeine in the highly-sugared and caffeinated drink, but because I liked it and I drank it. Milk, my other drink of choice, if difficult to take with you to class and does not have the refreshing effect of Mountain Dew.

When I first came to London for a study abroad semester, it was a shock to the system to come off of my drink of choice and find something else to hydrate me. Enter tea. (Maybe I do have a caffeine need in my life.) Tea has been wonderful and probably better for me, but on a warm spring or summer day, I do not want a steaming cup of tea. I want Mountain Dew.

So imagine my surprise when, on a weekend trip to Camberwell to wander and explore, I found Mountain Dew in the Chinese supermarket! Ok, it's not the original American stuff made with high-fructose corn syrup (something about it not really being allowed so much in the EU?) so it has a slightly different taste and it's imported from the Philippines, but as I sit here and sip this particular can of Mountain Dew in the beginning of spring sunshine, it's close enough for me.

I probably won't go crazy and start making deals with the Chinese supermarket to buy in bulk, but every once in a while, on a spring or summer day(... or another day), I may treat myself to a 79p drink. Sounds silly, but Mountain Dew reminds me of North Carolina sunshine, driving in my car, high school, being silly and young, and, sad as it may be, puts a smile on my face.

To whatever you may be drinking today, be it tea, coffee, water or Mountain Dew, I hope you are having a sunshine-filled day. Cheers and Chomps!