In order to activate my work visa, I needed to leave Canada and re-enter. So I decided to head to Seattle, WA for the weekend. The drive is around 3 hours round-trip, and it’s really easy. I drove down on Saturday morning, parked my car, left my bags at the hotel (http://www.pacificplazahotel.com/ - It an older hotel, but it’s in a really central location, and if you just plan on sleeping in your room, it’s a great price for being in the middle of downtown) and went wandering around downtown Seattle. I spent a few hours at the famous Pike’s Place Market. It’s a lot of fun, and there are so many vendors. There are the famous fish throwing guys, who are front and center as soon as you enter. Lots of fish, bread, veggies, flowers… but also a lot of international food vendors. I had some delicious Russian pastry’s, sampled some awesome beef jerkey, and talked to a few of the local artists who have been selling their painting and photographs at the market anywhere from 8-20 years.
I also took the monorail over to the Space Needle. I got a few pictures there, which I’ll load later. There were clouds on the horizon, so Mt. Rainer coudln’t be seen, but the views across Seattle, and down the bay were beautiful. For dinner I headed over to Kells – http://www.kellsirish.com/seattle/index.php - The restaurant side is smaller with a few tables, a bar with about 6 stools, and a small hallway that leads over to the actual bar section which is larger and has a stage for live music.
I sat at the restaurant bar, had some food and enjoyed the company of the young bartender, Rory, who is family with the owners. Rory was originally from Vancouver and between filling drink and food orders was giving me tips of living here. I also had the company of two older gentlemen who sat on either side of me. To my left was a man whose name I never got. He was in town for a library conference. He worked for Brill Publishing, which is based in Holland. He and shared Holland stories and after I ate my cup of clam chowder I suggested he try it as well. He informed me I was taking a big risk since he is a New England native. He got a cup and gave it two big thumbs up. Said it was on par with the best from back east.
To my right was Ben Collins. Ben is a Seattle local who used to work in maritime engineering with mass refrigeration systems (who does that?). He currently owns an upscale chocolate shop a few doors down from Kells – www.roseschocolatetreasures.com-. He’s good friends with the owners of Kells, and he was very nice and after dinner (and 3 Manny’s Pale Ale’s) offered to show me two local ‘hidden’ bars that were just down the street. I took him up on his offer and I got to see two really cute places that are hidden just below the market. He was very kind, and though I’m not used to 60yr old men taking me out for drinks, it was a pretty innocent way to explore Seattle nightlife and not sit in my hotel room all night. When all was said and done I had dinner, 3 beers and 2 cocktails and was home to my hotel room by 10pm.
On Sunday I drove back to the Canadian border. Showed my paperwork to Immigration. They kindly gave me my official work visa, and that was that. Now that’s taken care of, all of my stuff can finally begin it’s journey from NY to Vancouver to hang out with me for the next 6 months.
