On a business trip in Seattle, and as advertised, it’s little rainy, although it looks like it’s starting to clear up now.
This is actually my second trip to Seattle; I was here about 4 years ago. Actually, it was the week before I got married, so that was a bit of a hectic trip. I hit the Space Needle last time, so yesterday I went down the shops on the wharf on Pike Street. It wasn’t quite what I expected–in my head there were going to be more restaurants– but it’s a neat little shoppinOn a business trip in Seattle, and as advertised, it’s little rainy, although it looks like it’s starting to clear up now.
This is actually my second trip to Seattle; I was here about 4 years ago. Actually, it was the week before I got married, so that was a bit of a hectic trip. I hit the Space Needle last time, so yesterday I went down the shops on the wharf on Pike Street. It wasn’t quite what I expected–in my head there were going to be more restaurants– but it’s a neat little shopping area, with used book stores and the like.
Although I found one thing a little … unusual. At the end of the shopping–outside–there’s a little park; just a small green space and some benches. The weather wasn’t half bad yesterday so I bought a sandwhich and ate out there. There was a good amount of people, so at first glance it seemed perfectly okay. But when I got a little closer, I found that among the tourists and locals, there was quite the seedy element there also. Drug dealers, skanked out users. It was pretty dirty. I had heard this might be so, but for whatever reason I hadn’t really believed it. I do now.
I didn’t feel totally unsafe, but not totally safe either. I peaked over my shoulder now and again to make sure I wasn’t about to be robbed. I’m not sure if there was ever any real threat, but the openness of the drug element–in such a prominent area–caught me a little off guard. It would be like walking down Broadway in Times Square–today’s Times square–and having the dealers mixed in with the tourist traps and new high-rise office towers. They no longer mix.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not holding this against Seattle per se–I like the area overall–but my trip to Pike Street wasn’t exactly what I expected. I did pick up a very tasty apple and a jumbo, wheat-free cookie, so maybe it’s a wash …
