Here’s the thing. Mini-bars in hotel rooms are a tease. They’re like that crush you can look at but not have. They will tempt you with their sweet-salty-intoxicating goodness but the outrageous triple digit prices are sure to make anyone lose their appetite. Sure, room service is an option, or else you can simply head to the hotel restaurant and grab a bite. But that too comes with a side serving of an upped tax. We’ve all been through that heartburn but when we’re stuck between choosing an empty stomach or an empty wallet, we’ve all chosen the latter, more often than not. Now we too have been there, done that and after facing many such ‘hunger-pang’ situations at unearthly hours, we've learnt that it’s always locals to our rescue. No, we don’t mean the people. We mean the chain of convenience stores, 7-Eleven. Whatever you want, whenever you want it, you’ll find it here. These stores are open from 7 am to 11 pm, 7 days of the week. How cool is that? So whether you want to pump your out-of-charge body with food, or your out-of-recharge phone with a top-up, this store has it all. From binge-worthy goodies like chips, chocolates, wafers and biscuits to bite-worthy treats like fresh sandwiches and baked goods, you can stock your cart with whatever your heart desires, and in this case, your tummy. If that’s not enough to tempt you, there are aisles and aisles of hard liquor, soft drinks and good ol’ water that will quench whatever you’re thirsting for. Even sex. Yes, for those looking to end the night with a bang, they even stock condoms. And cigarettes too, for those who fancy a smoke post all that fun. And after all that, if you wake up with a hangover of sorts, some of them stock medicines too. These are called convenience stores for a reason. Firstly, they’re a convenience for you. They are so accessible, you’ll find them scattered practically everywhere. Sometimes two and three on a street. Secondly, they’re a convenience for your wallet. They are so pocket-friendly that you can save a considerable chunk of money if you shop smart from these stores. For us, 7-Elevens are a boon. In-between sightseeing or shopping, late nights or early mornings, mid-night cravings or mid-morning snacks, these are our go-to stores whenever we travel. So the next time you're abroad, look up 7-Elevens and visit them (if you haven’t already). In the truest sense, they are locals to the rescue. We’re pretty sure you’ll find yourself wondering, “Now why didn’t I think of these before?”