Adventures in Hamilton (I)

Last year, I think I only explored downtown Hamilton once.

It was actually quite a stupid little trip: my friend said he'd take me to bubble tea during one of my breaks. And the plan was to bus downtown.

Well, he CLEARLY didn't know his way around though. First off, it was winter, and he decided that we should walk towards the bus stop off-campus to catch the bus that was going to take us downtown. After arriving at the bus stop (and nearly freezing our fingers off in the process), he realized that he didn't know which bus to take.
Nor did he know which side of the road we should have been standing on.

So okay, you say you're going to take me down and don't conduct any research prior to that. Well, that was a well thought-out plan wasn't it?

And what happens next you may ask? He goes up to one the buses and asks the bus driver if it will take us to XX stop. To our delight, she replies with a pleasant "Sure does!".
Two minutes after getting on the bus, we realize that the bus actually goes BACK INTO CAMPUS to pickup students before going downtown. <insert facepalm here>

So ok, all seems to be going well when my friend decides that we should get off at this one stop....only to realize that he doesn't know where he is at all. <insert MEGA FACEPALM HERE>

Being the less directionally-challenged and quick-thinking one of the two, I immediately open up Navigation on my phone. The life-saving app then guides us down three streets and to the bubble tea place we were originally thinking of going to.

AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENS THEN?
To my dismay, the door to the tea house wouldn't budge when I attempted to yank it open and escape from the harsh Canadian cold weather. It was CLOSED. Whipping around, I begin interrogating this friend on why he didn't bother to check the store hours before heading down here. And his answer? A meek "Uhhhh I've never come before it was open."
<insert MOST EPIC FACEPALM IN THE HISTORY OF FACEPALMS HERE>

Oh my god. Was this guy even serious?? So you not only do you NOT bother to check anything before embarking on a journey in an unfamiliar environment, but you waste MY TIME as well??!?! That's just not cool.
Especially when I'm someone whose live REVOLVES AROUND TRYING TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN THIS WORLD.

But ok, end of story/rant! ^ ^
Since this horrible experience, I've never bused downtown again.

Well, until this year that is. But before I go anywhere, I make sure I know where I'm headed to.
And I ensure that by making full use of the available technology: Google Maps is your best friend at times like these =D.

Here comes the main story:

I've been meaning to visit D's Cafe (Dream Cafe) for a while now, and was overcome with the biggest bubble tea craving after tutorial yesterday. Dragging my friend along with me, we bused down, directions in (my) hand).

We got there no problem, and then proceeded to take a look at the drink menu after shaking the cold off. At the end, I decided to order a hot papaya milk tea and my friend ordered a coconut milk tea. Both of us asked for lychee popping tapioca instead of regular boba out of sheer curiosity. Though I can't say that was the best decision, as the bubbles popped in the tea, making it taste strangely sour. Though overall, it was decent for a $4.25 hot drink and $5.15 large bubble tea.

But I'd have to say the highlight of the store was definitely the ginourmous chalkboard wall, where I scribbled something very miyaka-esque - try to figure out what it says! ^ ^ /  (*coughB.A.Pisawesomecough*)