Seattle – Day 9

I thought I would have a lazy day today, although I did get up to get some breakfast. After that I went back to bed and then didn’t wake up until 11:15.

Having showered and dressed I headed down to the lounge and then decided to get a coffee from over the road. As I was waiting to cross the road Charlie caught up with me and we got a coffee together. We returned to the hostel social room and played a few games of pinball while we drank our coffees.

Charlie left for Portland about 12:30; he had decided to go by Greyhound in the end as it was only an hour journey.

I then got myself settled down for posting some blog entries and booking flights to, and accommodations in, Chicago. This was short lived as the wireless network here seems to be like a Yo. (There was no reciprocating motion to it so it couldn’t be termed a Yo-Yo!) I gave up trying to get an Internet connection through it and just stuck to updating the blog entries.

The social smoking room atmosphere was damaged by a new arrival - John the cretinous Christian. This is the first “typical Yank” I have met who falls nicely into stereotype. He is a loud obnoxious git who has always done what anyone else has done, you know; climbed a mountain, swam a river, felled a tree, wrestled a lion, benefitted humankind by sleeping and shutting up for a few hours. He was accompanied by his stick-like vacuous girlfriend who behaved like a deceased-again Moony (lifeless and with no brain). I was just innocently avoiding him when the idiot decided to include me in its sermon. When asked if I wanted to “walk with the lord” I just couldn’t help replying “Not when I can fly with American Airlines or ride with Amtrak.” That got a decent laugh from all the others seated around and got me enough peace to finish my cigarette and bail out. Later in the day I entered the smoking room and the preaching prat was back in flow going on about how this jesus bloke who keeps getting mentioned was “a perfect man” – I immediately thought he should talk to some of the women I know to have that notion destroyed (regardless of the man). Eric walked in and looked around; saw me studying the map of the world on the wall and said “Aw shit not a religious conversation. I’m outta here.” Which was generally the opinion of most people. After finishing my smoke I retired to the lounge and watched everyone gradually emerge from the smoking room – most shaking their heads – until there was no one left but “twat and his bird”.

I went out on the trip the hostel had to the Underground Tour. This is a section of Seattle which was built over after the initial part of town burned down. As most structures were wooden the city chiefs insisted the rebuilding was done in stone to prevent a similar disaster – and so it was, but about two storeys higher. The tour was very interesting and informative, but I have a horrible feeling I will have a good night’s sleep and it will all be gone. Nevertheless, I recommend it if anyone comes to Seattle.

After getting back I secured another coffee from over the road and was duly presented with two vouchers entitling me to a free beverage by the lovely Katy – star barista – who greeted me with “Hi Phil, good to see you buddy. Large latte?” To which I could only reply “you know me too well.”

I returned to carry on with more blog updates but decided to wait until after dinner – Mike was doing one of his Mexicans again, yum.

Whilst dinner was on someone had put Close Encounters on the TV. (It was a wonderful TV at the hostel. It was a huge sod-off plasma screen with no TV reception! It was capable of DVD or VHS playback – such joy as there were no morons sat in front of it with a remote control, ADD, and St Vitas dance.) I watched the end of the movie – it made me realise how old it was and how dated it looked – as it was still good and I enjoyed it.

After this I was feeling very tired and as I couldn’t get anywhere near an Internet connection I decided to have an early night.

This was slightly delayed as I went to have my goodnight smoke and got chatting to Brendon and Raoul (apologies if I got the spelling wrong) – and then we had to have a mini-pinball competition. (Ego dictates that I have to let you know I won.)

I did get to bed just before midnight so it was earlier than normal.