Meanwhile Back at the Dragon Inn... by wysiwig
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Description
All the popular kids were ordering their mixed drinks with Coca-Cola.
Originally Coca-Cola was intended as a medicine when it was invented in the late 19th century by John Pemberton of Atlanta, Georgia. It was named Coca-Cola because it originally contained an extract of the coca leaf, also known as cocaine. You could say it was the first energy drink. Today it can be found all over the world, even in the most remote villages.
When I first started traveling to foreign lands in the 1970s everything was so different that I sometimes become homesick. Now no matter where I go a part of home is always waiting for me. Western culture and, more particularly, American culture is ubiquitous. That in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. But all too often it is replacing local customs and art and music and food and usually with the worst parts of our culture. And that culture, like original recipe Coca-Cola, is addicting. The modern shopping mall was invented in the United States and has spread around the world and all have a dull sameness about them. More and more they are replacing curious little places that were so interesting and full of character. If we continue down this road our world may one day be covered by one gigantic mall.
Dean Obeidallah, a Palestinian-American comedian makes the point in one of his stand-up routines. He tells a story of visiting his cousin in Jordan and as they are driving down the street his cousin is complaining about ‘American Imperialism’.
“The United States must leave the Middle East and take their culture with them! Except the Starbuck-us. They must leave us the Starbuck-us. And the Kentucky Fried Chicken.”
I am convinced that somewhere in the world there are people right now plotting the destruction of America while drinking a Coke because my country has become the modern successor to the British Empire.
Comments (9)
Faemike55
Great image and cool narrative! reminds me of the 2-part episode of NCIS where they track down and rescue Ziva from a terrorist camp, because the leader was addicted to Caf-pow....
blondeblurr
I have to agree with you there, it's like medicine gone totally wrong - not healing at all, on the contrary it became an addiction! and I still believe that it adds to the obesity problem of the world (and other soft drinks included!) ... ... but just think - I used to like it in the 70's, the usual order was a Bacardi & Coke, when I frequented with friends a particular bar called Maiseys ;P (Her Majesty's Pub in South Yarra in Melbourne) they were 'the good ol' times' - and yes, they were ... 40 odd years ago ! my how time flies - but times have changed - it's now a glass of wine or two - apologies to Mr. Pemberton ;( LOL interesting facts and great story Mark, I just love the poster image and I do have an old collection of postcards saying, were - "Things go better with Coke!" ;)) BB
wysiwig
When we were young Coke was made with cane sugar. Then they started using high fructose corn syrup. As bad as sugar is for you corn syrup is much worse. I drink it maybe four times a year.
bebopdlx
Wow, I like Coca-Cola, never thought much about it.
bebopdlx
I will keep drinking it.
giulband
Very beautiful image !!
JuliSonne
And if I remember, there was no Coke. We drank in the GDR barrel lemonade LOL as the first Cola drink was sold thought we.....yummy . Until I've had years later my first real coke and noticed a huge difference. The East German supermarket chain call CONSUMER. And when the original COCA Cola came into the business, this was very, very expensive. But it was sold like hot buns. Beautifully nostalgic pin ups.
netot
Great story, Mark. I love the vintage look of this image. They say that the original recipe of Coke was sold by 14 dollars. If this is true, would be the 14 dollars best invested ever ! (But sorry folks, I love Pepsi).
bodo_56
Very interesting narration and capture, i just love those old-fashioned ads (and the real thing occasionally).
auntietk
I can't drink the real stuff ... WAY too sweet for me! But don't take away my Diet Coke. LOL! Great poster!
durleybeachbum
I want to keep the few teeth I have left, so I drink Coke extremely rarely.