Aug-2019

To celebrate our 28th  year wedding anniversary,  Anna and I ventured to Seattle for  labour day weekend.  As the flights were all on time, arriving at one gate and a leisurely stroll to our next, the connection was perfect.  As easy as it was to navigate out of the airport, we’re on a train to Seattle city center.

With the sun shining down, we visit the renowned Pike Place Market.  A sea of heads swarmed the small corridor splitting the never ending alley of shops on either sides.  A complete commotion, but all seemed in perfect harmony.

From fish flying around to flower displays that capture every possible color combination, this area of town was surely happening.  A relaxing lunch with a great view of the pier allowed us to relax, regroup and plan our next sites.  We even got to see a cruise ship surely destined for Alaska.  Lunch was great with fish of day for myself while Anna had the fish tacos.

 

Before leaving, Anna was extremely anxious to see the gum wall that Seattle is also known for.  A very small alley way in which the sides of the walls are covered with chewing gum.  Tourists delicately stick their gum in any possible free space to add to the already remarkable kaleidoscope of gum graffiti. As history was told, this all started when people were not permitted in bringing gum in the adjacent pub, leaving patrons flicking it on the side walls before entering. Your typical alley smell was replaced by a melange of flavored sugared gum scents.

As that took all of 5 minutes, we were ready to venture to Seattle’s Great Wheel, Waterfront Park and Pier 56. Overlooking the city centre form the pier, along with all the great mature flowers made for a perfect picture.  We’ve come to realize that with every trip we take, we try and truly focus in the moment.  Be present both in mind and body to fully appreciate every event.

As we managed to chalk up 22000 steps, fatigue was definitely settling in.  The main boardwalk was lined with people and we couldn’t help notice several bikes with attached wagons offering tour rides.  All competing against each other with music blaring to attract customers.  Their superhero costumes surely added to their wackiness.  After supper along the waterfront, we retreat back to the hotel.

As we had a full day ahead of us, and our flight leaving late that Sunday evening, a quick hotel breakfast saw us out to the train for another adventurous day.  A quick glimpse at our flight loads and all seemed as scheduled.

Chinatown gate was first on our list and as we approached the area, we were surprised on how quiet it was with no real hustle and bustle that one expect. It was a Sunday morning after all.  We continued passed the store fronts until the Smith Tower and Pioneer Square.

Without knowing much of the history of the Seattle fire, one bystander suggested we take the underground tour to, in fact, see the underground city.  The Great Seattle Fire destroyed the entire central business district on June 6, 1889.  This tour reflected on how the city was rebuilt on top of the old one leaving an underground untouched with relics of the past.  The tour was fantastic and our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and had the right anecdotes, humor and delivery methods.  We were in awe as we navigated 10 feet below the current existing city.

The end of the tour brought us into a museum like room in which many old items from that era were displayed.  From the invention of the toilet bowl by Thomas Crapper to a dated washing machine.  The remarkable news was that no causalities were reported from that fire.

As we surface back to the main street level, we find ourselves following the sounds of waterfalls.  City centre, rushing waters, something didn’t add up.  We come across Waterfall Garden Park. A small area in the middle of nowhere with water streaming down along side plants and shrubs.  A perfect location for a 10 minute recharge.

One of Anna’s favorite board games is Connect 4.  We never thought that along our walk path, an oversize Connect 4 was calling out our names. I was ready for the challenge.

As the game was intensifying, and almost all squares filled with pegs, Anna was sure she had me beat.  Little to her surprise, I had read all her moves and working on my final drop when I slipped the winning peg.

As we ended the scenic walk on the east side of the city, we headed back to the pier for some lunch.  This time around, a tasty chicken Souvlaki!

Before heading to the famous Space Needle, we relaxed around the Waterfront Park where we witnessed the cutest baby carriage with, what we imagined, a baby.  A closer look revealed a dog with goggles engorged with flowers.

With plenty of time before our late evening flight, we walk to the Space Needle on the west side of town.  A relatively low riser compared to today’s skyscrapers however still a landmark for Seattle.

Some Trump protesters were chanting his resignation, while many teenagers were attending some local concert.  Every area of town had it’s own event.  A McDonald’s ice cream, a quick glimpse at the impressive Spheres and we’re on our way to the retail core for some last minute shopping.

As the day was winding down, we take the train back to the airport in preparation for our flight back home.  With the leisurely slow paced check in at security, Anna spots a shiny penny which later proves to be our savior.

With plenty of time on our hands, we visit the lounge for refreshments and finger foods.  During certain trips with long layovers , we try and take advantage of certain credit card perks in allowing access to such lounges to shelter us from the chaotic movement that gates are known for.  In looking at the flight loads, I notice that the Delta portal is offline.  For any employee traveling standby, the portal is our lifeline and all planning stems from that site.  Time was on our side, so we kept enjoying the lounge perks.  Food and snacks kept coming while more attempts were unsuccessful signing into the portal. At this point, with no access to the flight loads, we were traveling in the dark.

To our complete surprise, when we exit the lounge and head to our gate, about 400 passengers were standing around ready to board.  Complete mayhem.  Delta had two flights side by side leaving about 10 minutes apart.  Seattle to New York and Seattle to Detroit.  Forcing my way to the overhead screens I noticed no seats were available on the flight and both my wife and I were number 6 and 7 on the standby list.

Being the bearer of bad news, my wife’s shoulders shrug so low they practically hit the ground when I informed her.  In cheering her up, I mentioned the next flight at 6 am is wide opened.  We distanced ourselves from the frenzy and after many have boarded, I asked the gate agent for possible plan B involving taking the train to another concourse to try for the Delta flight to Atlanta instead.  The excitement and adrenaline started for I had 10 minutes to decide.  With time ticking away, I noticed 2 more seats were cleared and we jumped to 4 and 5 on the list.  With Anna mentioning about her lucky penny, and 5 minutes remaining, we mysteriously jump to 1 and 2 on the list.  During all this time, 2 passengers have been called numerous times for boarding on our flight with no response.  As every minute was approaching for flight closure, 2 seats still remained unoccupied.  With the agent’s last call to board, and no sign of those 2 passengers, we were quickly escorted on the plane.  Whether it was destiny, positive thinking or simply Anna’s lucky penny, the weekend was a blast.

Aug-2019