The other day, I was at a smoothie shop that came well recommended by a friend. Outside reminded me of Matsumoto's Shave Ice, the line was that long. When I finally reached inside, a clerk happily took my acai order. "Thank you:" she said, as I began to browse their wall of famous customers. It was quite impressive for a new store. I reached the last Japanese pop star only to discover that my smoothie still wasn't ready. I looked at the girls making my smoothie and got flashbacks of my first job at an ice cream shop. "Wow," I thought, "all their ingredients are from Costco." I realized that can easily make this at home. 30 minutes later, I got my smoothie.
"9.12" the clerk said in her cheerful voice. Taken aback, I hand her a ten, and think to myself, "I guess this is my last time here."

That place was trendy! I felt ripped off and exploited. I empathized with the Brazilians who can no longer afford to drink acai.

When I read that it was a bunch of California surfers that made acai the trendy drink that it is today, my stomach turned. I visited their website and found them boasting about how they help Brazilian people by promoting sustainability. Good job, and thanks for the $9 smoothies dudes.

by Aleina Hammonds

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