Monday afternoon, while waiting for a certain flight from Cali, Helen introduced me to Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. Nicknamed "Pikes" by the locals, this massive farmer's market sits right on the edge of the water and is open year-round. And lemme tell ya, after five minutes I was hooked.
When I said "massive", I meant it. Pikes stretches for several blocks and has three different levels, all of them indoors. In the summer, there are dozens of flower stalls offering big beautiful bouquets for dirt cheap.
My crazy sis-in-law. Someone buy her flowers, please.
Chiles! Aren't they colorful?
Pike's is famous for its fish markets. Especially the one where the guys take your order and then proceed to throw fresh fish back and forth amongst themselves while packaging what you bought.
There are lots of little cafes and coffee shops, too. Crepes, fish and chips, fresh baked bread. You name it and its probably there. To add to the ambience, every so often you'll happen upon a lone guitar player strutting their stuff on the sidewalk. The air smells of coffee and fish, salt and olive oil, lavender and fresh fruit.
A view of the port in Seattle.
I could have spent a lot of money in Pikes. A lot. It's one of those places. :) But I was good (mostly).
I did learn something, though: I'm losing my big city edge. Walking in downtown Seattle reminded me so much of downtown San Diego. The tall buildings, the water close by. But you know, I wasn't as homesick as I expected to be. I enjoyed the day, but I didn't need to stay.
'Course the traffic and the ridiculous $7 parking fee could've had something to do with that. Possibly.
Or maybe I'm just adjusting to life in Small Town USA. And maybe, just maybe, I'm falling in love with that life. But shhhhhh, don't tell anyone, ok? I wouldn't want my big city friends finding out. :)
2 comments:
Oh, this brings back so many memories! B and I went there for our honeymoon and we went to Pikes most every day. We learned our way around downtown Seattle pretty quick, and it was a BLAST. I couldn't get over the fresh, cheap flowers. We had just got through buying puny calla lilies for our wedding, and we get there and they're HUGE and half the price. Did you watch them throw the fish? Did you go into the very first Starbucks? I really want to go back some day! Thanks for bringing back memories. :)
Yes, I watched them throw fish and yes, I saw the very first Starbucks!!! Such a fun place! That is so cool that you've been there and know what I'm talking about! :) You're welcome for the memories! If ever you guys come up this way, maybe we can go there together!
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