Buzz
If you wish to leave a message to your future self, you can rely on the 'mail-carrying cats' at Momi tea shop.
Tea shop 'sending messages to your future self' in China
At some point, we all wonder what our future holds, who will be by our side in the next few years, or whether the plans we make today will be realized by our 'tomorrow self'. When you find yourself asking these questions, you can visit Momi tea shop, pen a letter addressing your uncertainties, and have it sent off on a 'time-traveling journey' by the cat couriers.
Initially, it was merely a small bookstore with around 500 volumes and 4 reading tables nestled in the ancient streets of Sondong in Tochau, capturing the affection of travelers with its nostalgic and vintage ambiance. Gradually, Momi expanded its offerings to include coffee, tea, and pastries for those wishing to linger longer. Stepping through the brown wooden gate tinted with the hues of time, ordering a slice of cake, and settling down to leisurely peruse through the pages of a book amidst soft, soothing music evokes a sense of tranquil familiarity. Additionally, you can select from charming postcards, pen handwritten letters, or even pick out a small gift for your loved ones or yourself in the future, then leave them right at the shop.
The initial impression for visitors is the tall wooden shelf with 365 compartments holding postcards awaiting dispatch, with each compartment representing a day of the year. You can simply place the postcard in the corresponding compartment for the desired date. Furthermore, you can also entrust the shop to hold your letters for up to 9 years before dispatching. Simply place the letters in the labeled boxes hanging on the wall, categorized by year, and the staff will sort and dispatch them according to your preferred schedule. The cost for dispatching letters varies based on your preference, starting from as low as 10 yuan per card (approximately 36,000 Vietnamese dong), with an additional increase of 10 yuan per year thereafter. Postcards are priced at 2 yuan each (about 7,500 Vietnamese dong).
The name of the establishment in Chinese translates to: 'Cat's Sky Castle,' suggesting that the letters you send here will be delivered to your 'future self' by the mail-carrying cats, also the symbol of the shop. Many guests find it intriguing when receiving their handwritten letters months or years later, recounting the joys or sorrows they have experienced. Surely, you cannot remember everything that has happened throughout the process of growing up or during travels. Therefore, do not hesitate to try sending some words of encouragement to your future self from ages 18, 28, and beyond.
Presently, Momi has evolved into a chain of coffee and tea shops in many cities across China with various design styles. However, whether situated in ancient neighborhoods hundreds of years old like Hangzhou, Tochau, or the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the ambiance inside the shop remains unchanged, serene. You can peacefully coexist with a few chubby lazy cats lounging by the skylight, listening to the melodic tunes of old music as if time has paused.
According to Vi Yen/ Ngôi sao
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourMay 24, 2018
