A friend mentioned this observation, and I realized that I love doing this too:

Early morning, in small European towns, having a coffee near the center of town, and watching things "come to life"? The shopkeepers opening and cleaning the sidewalks. The suppliers delivering bread, beverages, flowers to the shops. Workers heading to the office.

Sort of a "relaxed bustling"??? I love it. Why does it seem like such a much more relaxed and enjoyable way that they conduct life???

Hi ek,

Not only small towns, but in large cities too.

>Why does it seem like such a much more relaxed and enjoyable way that they conduct life???<

Because in many ways it is.

OTOH, it can be difficult to get a bottle of milk after 10:00 PM.

>such a much more relaxed and enjoyable way that they conduct life???
Where would that be? I need to go there too!

Hi L,

Madison, GA.

Ok, let me take out my Walmart-MCNally map to see where it is. . I'm sure they have a Walmart there.

Maybe it's because you're the one on vacation & not having to go to work?

>I'm sure they have a Walmart there.<

Yes, we do. It's a Super WalMart with a supermarket.

We also have a Loews.

A Starbucks opened about 2 months ago.

For fine dining, you can choose among Zaxby's, KFC, McD, Cracker Barrel, two Waffle houses, a Chili's and Pizza Hut.

There are two truck stops, but I don't think they are "fine dining".

Actually, this is one of my favorite things too. I don't drink coffee, but first a tea and then an early walk around some side streets are always some of my best memories.

I think there is something to what Carrybean said about being on vacation. It's probably a lot more picturesque to those of us not heading to the office or making deliveries.

But it's not exactly the same sort of scene I see around home either. There does seem a lot less "out of my way, if I'm late this morning I'm: out of a job/will lose the contract/won't get there before the jelly donuts run out/etc."

I have to admit, I do think most places where I lived (central/southern US) threw away a lot over the years in exchange for cheap goods in big boxes. Low, low prices came with some high, high costs.

Of course it's due to being on vacation. Next time you go to the Jersey or Maryland shore (and I supose any other beachside town), get up early and watch the shops open along the boardwalk. That'll make you feel all fuzzy inside knowing all those suckers' work days are just starting and you have nothing else to do but watch them.

ekellyga,

I love this also. Get up early and find a small cafe with a patio for expresso and a croissant with the fresh morning air. Any city in France will do.

Ira,
I've come to realize you are a bit of a "legend" here on Fodors.

Are you located in Madison GA???
I pass by there all the time
EK

Hi Ira,

Most truck stops secretly beat any KFC, McD's, Chile's any day. They just look undsirable to keep the riff raff out!

thereyet

I love to get up at 5a.m. or 6 a.m. to watch and listen to the fishermen in the Bay of Naples - it's a beautiful, peaceful scene.

Any German bakery, no matter which city or town, will offer coffee from 6 a.m. So whereeever you are, you'll find a place to see the town wake up.
The main square on market days with the merchants putting up their stalls would be my favourite.

Train stations can be interesting for people-watching early in the morning, too.

early morning in a town by the sea..
Dubrovnik - hard to beat

This is making me want to cry. I'm sitting in a dungeon, no windows, and fluorescent lights. Though they are 'full-spectrum' fluorescents. I want to go to Italy so bad.

I had precisely the same sensation - albeit with rather less evidence of locals doing any work - walking round central San Francisco at 0730 a few months ago.

Sleepy small towns the world over are pretty much alike.

I disagree, it's not only because I am on vacation! Watching a small town in Europe come to life is a LOT more interesting than watching it in downtown Seattle. That is for sure.

Suze - never having been to Seattle I might have to disagree. You might find waking up early in the Pocono Mountains with the birds calling, the trees rustling and a bear rooting through the garbage a lot more interesting than a local like myself would.

It's just a matter of perspective. That, and the fact that you're not at work!

Well, I don't live in Seattle.