Monday was the last day of hanging out with Rich and Jared. It started abruptly with Rich’s cell phone ringing. Just as well as it was nearly 9am and they had to be out of the hotel by 11am. We had breakfast in the hotel and I had a heart-attack causing plate of french toast – you smothered it in butter and maple syrup while it was already dusted with sugar. (Definitely have to get back to the gym when I get home. I’m sure I’ve gained a few kilos this trip.)
After Jared and Rich left, I was at a bit of a loss. It’s strange to be own my own. Unusual for me as I usually always prefer my own company. I suppose the difference here is that the time I spend with my peeps is a finite thing. But I had more practical things to think about as I had to be out of our hotel room by 12pm. I simply went down to reception and asked if they had a room. Didn’t haggle, didn’t ask for best price or a deal. I just wanted a room. Ten minutes later, I was ensconced in a room on the 22nd floor.
As I was about to go find a post office, Barry called to see what I was doing and invited me to have lunch with them at the Cheesecake Factory. The trip to the post office took longer than I expected as the guy at the pick-up desk wanted to chat to me about the movie Australia when he discovered where I was from. Of course, I couldn’t really offer an opinion as I haven’t seen the movie and don’t intend to. I then managed to confuse the guy behind the counter who asked if I wanted a confirmation of delivery receipt and I did a whole yes-no-yes-no thing. He also asked if I wanted to add a return address to which I replied it’d be totally useless as I was Australian and flying home the next day.
Lunch with Barry, a very fragile Chad (who really shouldn’t have mixed red wine with copious amounts of beer) and Mickey was pleasant. The Cheesecake Factory has a truly baffling selection of cheesecakes and I heard the guy at the table next to us say “I just want a piece of plain cheesecake. I don’t want all this other stuff” which made me chuckle.
We made a quick stop to Barry’s room in the Hyatt so he could pick up some pages that need to be sent. My hotel room might’ve been bigger but his bathroom left mine for dead. It actually made me wish I’d checked out hotel room prices even though it was much more convenient to simply get a room in the one we’d already been staying in.
The Seattle skyline from the twentieth floor the of the Hyatt.
After dealing with the slowest FedEX worker ever, we walked down to Pike Place Market to see some fish being thrown around. The thing is you have to wait until someone buys some fish or the guys working behind the counter finally decide to throw some to get the crowd to move on.
There is a fish being thrown in this photo!
The market is a warren of little shops spread over what seems to be three levels built into the side of a hill. This means you’re walking downstairs all the time but some shops on the lower levels have doors and windows when you think they wouldn’t. We made our way to Golden Age Comics (no trip to America would be complete without a visit to a comic book shop) where I decided to buy the first three volumes of Usagi Yojimbo and found a copy of Billi 99. Not sure why I decided to buy books when I’m not exactly sure where I’m going to put them in my suitcase.
Seattle skyline from Pike Place Market.
The view from Pike Place Market when you’re looking out over the bay.
Mount Rainer as seen from Pike Place Market. It’s an active volcano.
The obligatory black and white shot of the Pike Place Market sign.
After walking around the market, we decided it was time for a coffee and went to “Seattle’s Best Coffee” (really, it’s called that) where we sat and talked about the state of the world. Eventually we had to get up as Chad and Mickey had to make their way to the airport. I ended up having dinner with Barry and his friend, Dave, in a Thai place that had terrible service but decent food. I was all for not leaving a tip as I felt they hadn’t earned one (the service really was that bad) but one was left anyway as we didn’t want to be chased down the escalators to explain why we hadn’t left one.
And that’s about it for my adventures in Seattle. I fly back to L.A today to spend several hours waiting to get on a plane at 11.30pm to fly home. So… ummm, yeah, that’s that done.
As surprising as this will sound, I think I’m ready to go home. I really want to put on some fresh clothes. I feel like I’ve had a better time this time. Last year I was so overwhelmed by it all and being sick really didn’t help. The way I felt when I had to leave was very different from how I feel right now. I’m not looking forward to how long today is going to be but it will be nice to be in my own bed. I don’t think anyone is going to meet me at the airport but that’s okay. Sure it would’ve been nice to see a friendly face upon my arrival but I’m sure that’ll happen soon enough. It’s probably not a bad thing to just go home after such a long flight and to not have to worry about answering questions or making much sense.
It’s been an amazing experience. I think I’ve gotten more out of this trip. I’ve had a better sense of what’s going on. Plus, I really love Northern California and Seattle. It’s a little chillier here than I’m used to but it’s so beautiful. It also feels oddly familiar because San Francisco and Seattle both had a similar feel to Melbourne. I’ve felt much more comfortable here than when I was in Washington D.C and Baltimore. If I was suddenly plonked down in America, I’d want to be plonked down in the Bay Area.
Anyhoo… it’s 9.30. I should perhaps think about getting out of bed. I have to pack and be at the Hyatt by 11.30 to catch a lift to the airport. There’s going to be loads of sitting around today.
I suppose the next time I post, it’ll be to say I’m home 😐
Lunch with Barry, a very fragile Chad (who really shouldn’t have mixed red wine with copious amounts of beer) and Mickey was pleasant.
Could have said it better myself. Thanks! * Chad *
You have to admit it was self-inflicted. Beer and red wine – never a good combination!