First Impressions
Posted: September 24th, 2009 | Author: hannah | Filed under: Skedattle to Seattle! | No Comments »There’s a lot to say about my first days in Seattle. Much of it I’ve said through facebook and twitter, so I feel sort of redundant. Nonetheless, I began collecting some first impressions and observations I have about Seattle. I’ve been there for two weeks. Here’s what I have to say.
People love their pets. Dogs and cats are “allowed” on the bus. I asked my roommate about this, and she said that the bus driver isn’t supposed to ask if the animal is a certified service dog, because that would be discrimination. I’ve seen many dogs of all sizes and breeds on the bus. I also saw one cat. With its head sticking out of a backpack. The homeless population, which is pretty significant, really like pet cats.
Speaking of homeless, they have really creative signs. Some I’ve seen include, “Spare change for a tampon” and “Help. Aliens in my brain.” I’ll be sure to take note of any other good ones I see.
Recycling is fun! There and tons of recycling bins all around the city. The recycling truck comes to our house every other week, and collects almost everything! I’m amazed at how much more is recycled here. We even have a food and yard waste bin. They make compost for local parks from the waste. You can even put food soiled paper (i.e. greasy pizza boxes!) in the food and yard waste, as well as the new fashionable “compostable” plastic goods, which are completely pointless if you throw them into the normal garbage. As you can tell, I like the recycling habits in Seattle! 
Bus drivers are pretty grumpy and not that helpful. Grocery store checkout clerks are very nice!
I saw a guy riding a huge unicycle. the wheel was probably 2.5 feet.
There is asian food a plenty. Really any kind of food you would want, actually. There is this Vietnamese deliciousness called Pho (pronounced “Fuh” as in umm…fudge!). Wow it is so good. Everyone in Raleigh should run to Dalat right now and look past the Dalat pork (the best thing ever, too) and see if they have Pho. A big bowl of yummy noodle greatness. Perfect for a rainy day! Of which there has only been one, so far. And we had pho that day.
University Way aka “The Ave” kills Hillsborough St. Hillzy will always have a very special place in my heart, no doubt, but it’s hard to compete against tons of restaurants, thrift stores, bars, American Apparel AND Urban Outfitters. And an H&M and Anthropologie a 5 min bus ride away.
I desperately need to develop a budget for shows. Fast. There are so many. All the time. Crap!
It’s been sunny! And warm! And I’m enjoying it while I can, waiting everyday for the rain!
My roommates are great. My house is great! We have huge trees in the front yard, a huge deck, plenty of room to plant some things, great kitchen..etc etc. And I have officially abandoned the twin bed for a full. I sleep like I’ve never slept before! My room is almost 100% furnished with stuff from IKEA. I like my room a lot, I just didn’t think I have would have so much blank wall space, so it looks pretty bare right now. I need decorations asap!
Ok that is all for now. I promise to write more soon. I have an overnight orientation for school tomorrow and Friday. Great fun! I will have some more academic obersavations asap, seeing as that’s why I moved out here!