Oly and the Emerald City pt. 1

by Matt Dela Peña

For this year's spring break, the gang had originally planned to go to Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho, but the idea ultimately failed when we found out that the park wasn't even going to be open during that week. As a result, we each ended up making separate plans. However, most of us did manage to agree upon a group trip to Washington, and spend the first weekend of spring break at Josie's house in good ol' rural Olympia.

And when I say rural, I mean if a tree fell in the middle of the forest you could hear it rural. There wasn't even cell phone coverage over her house, although they did have wifi. But I mean, who needs wifi when you have a hot tub.

... Before I go on, I have to say first and foremost that Josie's parents were over-the-top generous for letting eleven college kids stay in their humble abode for the entire weekend and I, for one, am eternally grateful to them for making our stay so comfortable and pleasant. For two days, they cooked us a huge breakfast and when we got back from Seattle, there were brownies and ice cream. Thank you so much for everything, Josie's parents!...

So after we reached Olympia and concluded the night in Josie's hot tub, we spent the entire following day in Seattle. We took the Sound Transit Central Link which arguably is a nicer version of Portland's MAX.

Our first stop was in Chinatown. We predetermined to eat at Jade Garden Restaurant, a place apparently renowned for its dim sum. Amongst our group, Jessica is the avid fan of dim sum and was the sole individual responsible for dragging us to this establishment.

In what initially looked like another disastrous attempt at table acquisition that our rather unfortunate group seems to frequently experience, this particular occasion ended up becoming a rare success, earning the remark: "Wow! Did that just happen?"

That's because, not only did we secure a table for twelve in less than half an hour while a line resembling the Great Depression formed right outside the storefront, but our bill totaled just $84.25, which divided by twelve amounted to only $7 per person. Not to mention the dim sum we had was nothing short of spectacular.

After lunch, we spent the rest of the day in and around Pike's Place Market. We entered through Post Alley where I got to see the famous gum wall for the first time. For those of you who don't know what the gum wall is, it's just that: a wall covered in gum.

For an hour we walked around the market and since it was a weekend the place was pretty busy. Most of everything that's sold at Pike's Place is fresh produce as well as gift shop items that pay homage to Seattleite culture.

Although I personally don't see the need to purchase fresh produce 200 miles away from home when I live near a Safeway (or sculptures made from the volcanic ash of Mt. St. Helens for that matter), I do recommend buying a crate full (at least) of Rainier cherries when they're in season because they're the best things in the world.

Where it all began...

"Oh hi there."

After the market, we made our way to the pier and hung around there until dinnertime.

For dinner we ate at a seafood restaurant called Elliot's Oyster House on Pier 56. Being obsessed with oysters, I, of course, got oyster poppers which were pf course amazing.

However, the waiter did decide to sit us outside while the sun was setting and the temperature was plummeting to 32°F. When we asked them to turn the outdoor heaters on, they told us they weren't working. And that's when we knew our lucky streak in acquiring good tables was over.

Read Part 2.