I started my AYCJ journey in Seattle, where I had never been to.
One thing I really liked was the public transit. I could ride the link rail to from the airport to downtown and then the bus to the place I was staying. It was very easy since I have had experience riding a system just like this in Taipei. It was clean and safe.
I didn’t realize how hilly downtown Seattle was! Serious hills too. I would later learn during the Underground Tour that it used to be more hilly than this.
Pike Place Market is amazing. Great local food, fresh fruit, and festive area. If I lived here, I think I would be fat from eating there often. I did a food tour on the second day I was here with Savor Seattle, which I highly recommend. Our tour guide, Nick, was hilarious and really made sure we were having a good time. Just being able to sample so many types of food was worth it. A few places give samples to anyone but most do not. So instead of having to buy a full meal to try something, we got samples. I certainly went back after the tour to get seconds from some places.
My most memorable thing was being able to catch a flying fish a the market! I imagined many places doing that at the market but didn’t realize there was just one fish stand at the main entrance. I heard that they only throw the fish when someone buys one. However on the tour, Nick asked if anyone wanted to catch it. After asking a few people who declined, I gladly volunteered. I was escorted behind the counter above the floor. It was intimidating. All these tourists had their cameras ready to see the fish fly. The first time the fish came towards me and…..I dropped it. I was embarrassed. I didn’t expect it to be that heavy. Luckily I got another chance. I was told to just grab it hard with my hands. This time I caught the fist and raised it over my head like a trophy! I had a smile on my face the rest of the day because of being able to experience something so unique at such a famous place.
Pike Place Market reminds me of the famous night markets in Taiwan, where there are so many individual food stands selling amazing food. Eat a little here. Eat a little there. It’s something everyone has to visit when they go to Taiwan.
I passed on staying at a hotel or hostel and stayed at a room being rented out from Airbnb.com. I learned about it while preparing my itinerary. Basically homeowners rent out a room, shared room, or private studio. I found a private room 20 minutes by bus from downtown for $42 per night. The hotel I was going to stay at was going to be $71 per night plus the crazy tax. The room I stayed in was better than I expected! Nice bed. Clean shower. The owner left out bottles of water and snacks for me. It had a TV that had basic cable. Free wireless internet. A bus stop literally right outside the door. I’m staying a few more places that I found via Airbnb. I’m hoping they all go as well as this place.
Highlights
Pike Place Market
Going aboard a retired Air Force One and Concord at the Museum of Flight
Views of from the Space Needle and Smith Tower
Safeco Field tour minus our tour guide who could make insomniacs fall asleep
Met a lady while waiting for the bus who is a best selling author of books on ghosts and is now writing a book on real life encounter with angels.
Enjoyed my time in Seattle and is a place I would come back to in the future. Next stop is Portland, Oregon.
