You guys are the best.
I arrived. At the airport, I found the rail by guessing when there were no signs to direct me and then finding signs that showed me the way. Very strange that passengers open the doors of the train themselves as opposed to that being controlled by the driver! I saw a woman get stopped for not having a ticket. I think she did not realize she was supposed to pay because most subways have turnstiles that do not let you in without a ticket.
I asked a friend how much he spent on a taxi. He said $45. His works pays. The rail was $2.75.
I reached the hotel in about 40 minutes. I had a coffee with a friend and then I wandered toward Uwajimaya. On the way, I spotted a building. Thanks to you all, I knew it was the wonderful Seattle Library. I wandered inside and gawked and took photos and gawked some more. The art, the color, the light, the architecture!
After the library, I kept walking toward Uwajimaya in the International District/Chinatown. Although the walk was long up and down hills, I'm quite used to that. At first, I thought Uwajimaya was just the food court and felt a bit disappointed. I kept wandering back and spotted all the Japanese goods--tea cups, sushi plates, little cat figurines, Japanese candy, groceries, takeaway. It's like a little mall with one store selling Asian books--manga, books by Asian-American authors--and some of the same stuff as in the larger area. I spotted a figurine I wanted to get. $21. I went into the larger area. A similar figurine was $6.
I was not yet hungry or I would have had pho or pad thai or maybe some "Hawaiian" food.
Dinner in Capitol Hill so I got to see a bit of that neighborhood.
Today, I will go to the Columbia Tower to see the view and will visit DAISO (which is right nearby!!). In the afternoon, I am being taken around by a native Seattle-ite. I think we'll be going to Pike Place Market.
When I had tea with a friend here the other day, I alluded to my plan to retire in 5 years. He did not say one negative thing or think I was crazy. He just accepted it. I was impressed because this news can challenge even close friends…
Someone paid for my dinner last night. I budgeted $100/day for food, etc. I've spent about $50 and it could have been less. I decided to splurge on internet in my room and some gifts for the family.
Not too bad for a day in the big city.
