Christmas Journey to the Pacific Northwest, Part 4: Seattle



We checked in to the Edgewater Hotel after dark on Sunday (12/26) and
discovered our room was delightful! In addition to a wonderful king-size bed,
there was a fireplace and two, big, overstuffed chairs and a terrace with this
view of the Seattle skyline. Their restaurant's not bad either!



Our hotel was within walking distance of Pike Place Market, but before
we got to it, I had to stop and take a picture of this bicycle, decked
out in its holiday splendor! It reminded me of Key West!

The "original Starbuck's" is across the street from
the market. The place was mobbed and it wasn't
even 10 AM yet! Fortunately, the street musicians
were plentiful! What was even more amazing
was these guys, playing without gloves
of any kind! It was 38 degrees!

Pikes Place Market, the street view, above and below!

Inside the market are small, independent shops and vendors. The colorful
display in the window of The Tobacco Patch made for eye candy!

These fish mongers were among the more entertaining businesses inside
the market. When they made a sale, they ALL sang! They had quite an
audience, too, which grew as the day wore on!

A small Asian woman (hidden behind the bouquets) made these gorgeous
dried flower bouquets throughout the day. We did go back the next day
and purchase one to take to my girlfriend in Issaquah. And, she liked it!

I loved this hat and truly regret not buying it! It's reminiscent of Chanel's
2009 winter collection. Where else would you find this kind of fashion?

Tucked way back in a corner, next to the stairs leading to the restrooms,
we discovered an herb shop. The woman who waited on us said they'd
been there since 1969! I picked up a bracelet of rosewood beads for
five bucks and a beautiful notebook filled with pages of handmade
paper. It reminded me of The Herb Garden in Key West, circa 1970s.

It wasn't just the musician who caught my eye (and, ear!); it was the two
women standing in the street behind him. They were smoking and chatting
and they just looked like women of character!

Colorful signs adorn the market place windows.

We passed the "original Starbuck's" again and
the musicians had changed. Loved the dog!

The colors of the vegetables and the graphics of the signs lead to a photo
op I simply couldn't pass up!

As we made our way back to our hotel, I discovered places where you could look down on the buildings below, and, lo and behold ... roof gardens! Loved them, too!

Seattle is a city that has a special energy of its own. There is an artsy buzz about it and I suspect that there is a wonderful culture of diversity and acceptance there. We'll be returning in the summer, so stay tuned ... let's see how much things change with the weather ...