Seattle Tuesday August 7, 2012

Yesterday didn't start out with much on the "things to do" list, but I managed to get in plenty anyway.

When Ariel and Hannah left for the farm they forgot to bring Hannah's clothes.  I had to mail them to her.  I figured that while I was going to the post office anyway, I should mail my quacker as well.

(It never arrived!)

 I went to the post office and was promptly told, "You can't mail that!"  I asked, "Why not?  I've mailed all sorts of weird things before."  She replied, "Well... you just can't."  I said, "I can, but that's ok.  I'll go somewhere else."  

I grabbed a bus and drove passed the Klondike Gold Rush National Park.  This park isn't actually a park.  It's a museum, but it has a national park designation.  It's free and interesting.  I read a woman's account of being a young child and going up to Alaska with her mother and two younger siblings to meet up with her father.  It was both fascinating and terrifying all at once.  

You might be wondering what Seattle has to do with the gold rush.  It was the last stop in civilization for many miners and stampeders on their way up north in search of riches, and the gold rush is what ultimately put Seattle on the map.  The two are as intertwined as any city and event can be.  While there I could see what the building I'm staying in was over 100 years ago.  It was just a restaurant.  I was really hoping to find out it was a brothel, but that building was a few blocks away.  

I went to a different post office and successfully sent my quacker off.  I'll let you all know when and if it arrives.  

I wanted to see the hostel we would be staying out once we make the switch, so I headed out.  It's about a mile away.  On the way I went into a place and got a gyro.  It was huge, and I knew I would never finish it, but I had plans for the other half.  I finished what I could, wrapped it up and headed toward the hostel.  I needed to go into Pike Place Market, because after seeing the pictures from yesterday someone put in a special request.  I ordered my stuff and had it shipped out with a special note, Do not eat this until I get home! 

Along the way I passed Nancy's favorite Seattle place.  I went in, but crumpets and tea just aren't my thing. But hey, I was thinking about ya'.

Remember that half a gyro I had?  When a homeless guy asked for a $1 for something to eat I offered him half a gyro.  He said sure.  The day before I gave the very same guy $1.  I figured that since so many of them will go rummaging through the trash for half eaten food I may as well offer my half a sandwich.  People can get sick going through the trash.  

Oh, check this out.  Sarasota has never seen a roach coach quite like this before.  What do you think they might call it?  The swine line, the pig rig?

I found the hostel and checked it all out.  Looks safe.  I was long overdue for a sit down by now and stopped in a coffee shop called Bedlam.  Then I went back to the apartment and took a long needed nap.  That nap that occurs about half way through my trip usually signifies that I have worked through my jet lag.  I am officially on Seattle time.  I woke up and got ready for my big evening: Toastmasters!  The meeting place is pretty far north of my apartment, but it was just one bus ride.  The bus dropped me off right across the street, with 45 minutes to spare.  I found a great used book store and spent a few minutes in there.  Then the time had arrived.  

This club, Chamber 540, meets in a restaurant, Razzi's Pizzeria.  They do a few things much differently than our club does, and I really enjoyed it.  Watch out fellow Positively Speakers, some changes might be coming.  I forgot to get a picture of myself in front of their banner.  A member gave me a ride home because I was a bit concerned about walking back to the apartment from the bus stop so late.  Thanks Niko.  Oh, poor guy; he asked to be included in my emails. I told him there was an opt-out option.  Hee hee.