snaking through Seattle (AAG 2011) part 2
I forgot to mention that earplugs are lifesavers. Our flights were packed with babies and toddlers and children who clearly did not like being stuck in a tin-can with varying air pressure pushing in on their little ears. I actually didn't have earplugs, but having been at enough concerts, toilet or tissue paper did the job pretty well. I managed to write my entire presentation script on the second flight.
Both our sessions were on Tuesday afternoon, which was pretty awesome. With that over and done with, we rushed out to the the SAFECO Field to catch the Seattle Mariners trounce the Blue Jays. The highlight, really, was getting to sit above the Mariners' bullpen and heckling Brandon League as he warmed up to close and get the save.
I totally brought my jersey just to wear it to the game.
Easier for J, he often wears a hat.
There was a surprising number of Jays hats in attendance. I only saw one other jersey, though.
Wednesday was funny. We attended a number of sessions, then ventured out in the early evening. It was drizzling at that time, standard Seattle spring weather. We spotted this.
Rainbow!
We were interested in trying out the microbrews in Seattle, so we headed to the Pike Brewing Company for dinner and some of the local swill. As it was close to dinnertime, we had to wait for a seat, which took about 15 minutes. After we were seated, we waited about 10 more minutes for the server to take our order. When she finally turned up and we started ordering our beer, she carded us.
Now, getting carded in the States for booze is a regular thing. It's surprising when it happens, but mostly because it so rarely happens in Canada anymore. I dragged out my Singapore driver's license, and to our astonishment, it was rejected, because they did not "accept out-of-continent ID". What, because outside of North America all IDs are fake? She asked me for a passport, which I'd neglected to carry around with me all day. I was floored. I had no idea what to do. We wouldn't have been there if not for the beer. To her credit, she gave us a moment. When she returned, we decided to leave. Unfortunately, that was when she started coming up with all sorts of stupid excuses and explanations that this was a "nation-wide regulation". Nation-wide regulation my ass. I've probably seen (and drank in) more of the US than she'd had.
Sure, it's up to the establishment to decide to whom they would serve alcohol. I was offended by her careless "out-of-continent" remark, and then even more by her blatant nation-wide regulation lies, as well as her patronising manner.
Anyway. We were pretty shell-shocked as we headed out of the tourist district. We eventually wound up at a Mexican restaurant, Taqueria Jalisco, which was quite sleepy on that rainy evening. We were served by the owner of the joint, a gregarious dude, who explained apologetically that the ownership of the restaurant had just been transferred to him, and as a result, he had no liquor license. We thought it was pretty funny; it kinda summed up the night.
The food was good though - not that we've had enough experience with Mexican food to tell. But the beef fajitas that we had were really something else. The meat had been marinated in beer, tequila, and red wine, among other thing. Pretty epic stuff, and all (surprisingly) good. There was way too much food, but it was very affordable, and the hockey game was playing, so we had a great time.
I should go vacuum the apartment. More next post.
Both our sessions were on Tuesday afternoon, which was pretty awesome. With that over and done with, we rushed out to the the SAFECO Field to catch the Seattle Mariners trounce the Blue Jays. The highlight, really, was getting to sit above the Mariners' bullpen and heckling Brandon League as he warmed up to close and get the save.
I totally brought my jersey just to wear it to the game.
Easier for J, he often wears a hat.
There was a surprising number of Jays hats in attendance. I only saw one other jersey, though.
Wednesday was funny. We attended a number of sessions, then ventured out in the early evening. It was drizzling at that time, standard Seattle spring weather. We spotted this.
Rainbow!
We were interested in trying out the microbrews in Seattle, so we headed to the Pike Brewing Company for dinner and some of the local swill. As it was close to dinnertime, we had to wait for a seat, which took about 15 minutes. After we were seated, we waited about 10 more minutes for the server to take our order. When she finally turned up and we started ordering our beer, she carded us.
Now, getting carded in the States for booze is a regular thing. It's surprising when it happens, but mostly because it so rarely happens in Canada anymore. I dragged out my Singapore driver's license, and to our astonishment, it was rejected, because they did not "accept out-of-continent ID". What, because outside of North America all IDs are fake? She asked me for a passport, which I'd neglected to carry around with me all day. I was floored. I had no idea what to do. We wouldn't have been there if not for the beer. To her credit, she gave us a moment. When she returned, we decided to leave. Unfortunately, that was when she started coming up with all sorts of stupid excuses and explanations that this was a "nation-wide regulation". Nation-wide regulation my ass. I've probably seen (and drank in) more of the US than she'd had.
Sure, it's up to the establishment to decide to whom they would serve alcohol. I was offended by her careless "out-of-continent" remark, and then even more by her blatant nation-wide regulation lies, as well as her patronising manner.
Anyway. We were pretty shell-shocked as we headed out of the tourist district. We eventually wound up at a Mexican restaurant, Taqueria Jalisco, which was quite sleepy on that rainy evening. We were served by the owner of the joint, a gregarious dude, who explained apologetically that the ownership of the restaurant had just been transferred to him, and as a result, he had no liquor license. We thought it was pretty funny; it kinda summed up the night.
The food was good though - not that we've had enough experience with Mexican food to tell. But the beef fajitas that we had were really something else. The meat had been marinated in beer, tequila, and red wine, among other thing. Pretty epic stuff, and all (surprisingly) good. There was way too much food, but it was very affordable, and the hockey game was playing, so we had a great time.
I should go vacuum the apartment. More next post.