The release of Starbucks You Are Here – Türkiye mug is a nod to the fact that in June 2022, Turkey officially changed its internationally recognized name to “Türkiye,” reflecting a shift to the country’s original Turkish name. The move aims to enhance the nation’s global image and cultural identity.
Just a reminder, that a You Are Here – Turkey is already a part of the collection. The new mug is a complete copy, except for the way the name is written.… Read more
Here is a release for a landlocked country in South America, Starbucks Been There – Paraguay mug. This country boasts a rich history and culture. One of its most remarkable historical periods was under the rule of the indigenous Guaraní people, who cultivated a vibrant society long before the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The Spanish colonization of Paraguay began in 1537, leading to centuries of struggle for independence and sovereignty. Notably, Paraguay gained its independence from Spain in 1811, marking the start of a tumultuous yet resilient journey as a sovereign nation.… Read more
Similarly to the previous collection, Starbucks released the Special Edition country mugs for Japan. In fact, each season gets a custom interpretation of the regular mug’s design.
Been There – Japan 2 Spring Edition is dedicated to the spring season, known as “haru”. It is a breathtaking tapestry of renewal and vibrant beauty. Cherry blossoms, or “sakura,” symbolize the essence of this season, painting the landscape in shades of pink and white as they bloom across the country. These delicate flowers not only herald the arrival of warmer weather but also evoke a sense of fleeting yet profound beauty, celebrated through hanami, the centuries-old tradition of flower viewing.… Read more
Five mugs from the Land Down Under were released about a year ago. They are available in stores but are still harder to get for collectors in Europe or the Americas due to high-cost shipping. But if you’re a true hardcore fan, that should not stop you, right? Let’s start with the Starbucks Been There – Australia mug.
Australia, known colloquially as the “The Lucky Country,” boasts a rich history and cultural diversity. Indigenous Australians, believed to have settled the continent around 65,000 years ago, possess one of the oldest continuous cultures on Earth.… Read more
Let’s move to South America for a second and review Starbucks Been There – Aruba mug.
Aruba, a Caribbean gem renowned for its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, boasts a rich history that spans centuries. Believed to have been inhabited as early as 1000 AD by the Caquetio indigenous people, Aruba later became a Spanish colony in the 16th century before falling under Dutch control in 1636. Its name is thought to derive from the Spanish phrase “oro hubo,” meaning “there was gold,” reflecting the island’s once thriving gold mining industry.… Read more
What you’re seeing is the mug that popped up last summer and caused some confusion. At first glance, Been There – Philippines 2 – Summer Edition 2023 looked like the Christmas mug, outlined with black only. However, after a quick search, I found out that the somewhat official name of the new four Philippines mugs (see the last photo in this post) is “Summer Been There Series”. The cover is not different from the regular version and has no additional writing, however, the actual box is black.… Read more
Starbucks Been There – China is probably the best-looking mug from this series that I’ve seen. The designers did a great job while using bright red and shiny gold colors. This, however, comes with the inconvenience of not being able to use it in the microwave or dishwasher. Please note, that there are dozens of Been There city mugs from China that I will be adding soon, stay tuned!
There are many symbols and points of interest from China that can be seen on the mug.… Read more
Starbucks Been There – Guyana is a mug for the only English-speaking country in South America. Guyana, officially known as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, shares borders with Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south, and Suriname to the east, with the Atlantic Ocean gracing its northern shores. The capital and largest city, Georgetown, situated at the mouth of the Demerara River, serves as the cultural and economic hub of the nation.
Guyana’s history is a tapestry woven with threads of indigenous cultures, European colonialism, and the struggles for independence.… Read more
It has been a while since the release of the Starbucks Been There – Japan mug, and I have no excuse for not adding it to the collection. Similar to the YAH series, the Japan country mug is unique in the sense, that it has four siblings representing four seasons of the year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. I will be adding those four to the collection soon.
The design of this “regular” mug uses red and yellow colors. Here are some symbols of Japan that I am seeing on it:
Fuji, also known as Mount Fuji, is Japan’s iconic stratovolcano and the country’s tallest peak, standing at 12,389 ft.… Read more
Starbucks Been There – Curaçao mug was initially spotted in personal collections back in 2019, however it was never seen in stores till recently. Not sure what was the reason for the delay, but here it is, brand new and nice looking.
Curaçao, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, lies in the southern Caribbean Sea, about 65 kilometers north of the Venezuelan coast. Its capital and largest city, Willemstad, is renowned for its colorful Dutch colonial architecture, earning it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.… Read more
