The ups and downs of Seattle!

Thats because it is all up and down! Boy what hills.

The trip down from Vancouver was good. I got talking to a lady from New Jersey at the station and we got on really well. She was going to Bellingham to stay with a friend and then they were going to San Juan Islands, she had flown in from Alberta that morning after staying with another friend. The bus was pretty full so we couldn't sit together but I sat with a lovely young woman from Vancouver who was going to a convention at Tulalip casino centre which is on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. It was also a huge factory outlet!  She was telling me all about her life. Lucky girl lived in Coal Harbour but originated from Saskatchewan. She works at B C University but is also doing her masters degree. She is also researching her family and it's getting very interesting but also quite difficult because she is half French and half Cree and not many written facts recorded.  So strange that we talk to people and in a short time tell each so much and then never see them again!  Nice experience though.

Crossing the border into Washington was interesting. Everything has to come off the bus and taken into customs. The officer wanted to know where I was going and why and why was I staying in an apartment etc. all went well though and I paid my $6 and if I could have run with my luggage I would have.  I was pretty moved seeing a wall full of photographs of young people who were missing.

I got off at the Best Western hotel and went in to see if they had the phone number of yellow cabs and she insisted on calling one for me. Everyone is so helpful and friendly. 

Bit bothered when I arrived at block of apartments as my host didn't answer so didn't know how to get in. Luckily someone went in so I scooted in and got the key from under the mat and let myself in. I haven't seen anyone yet. On the 7th floor with a view of The Needle from my window.

I can see the lifts going up on the outside.  I walked round to have a look at the centre, not really impressed so got on the monorail and went downtown.  Walked down to Pikes place market but they were clearing up so decided to go tomorrow. It's so hot!

Been eating such a lot of rubbish so I went to Safeway and bought whole load of fruit! The peaches were pure nectar.