Pike Place Market stimulates all the senses and brings back many memories. An art museum of sorts, the vibrant visual of fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts and chocolate makes my mouth water. The sound of street musicians mixes with the taunting of vendors. “Fish coming through!” Visitors need to be aware when standing near the entrance to the market, where fish are skillfully tossed from behind the counter to the new owner of the delectable fresh salmon. Arts and crafts ranging from jewelry to hand painted baseball caps and t-shirts to handmade stocking hats, local photography and artwork add to the colors and textures of this living marketplace.
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I’ve been here many times. Walking the market with my sister includes much reminiscing about my brother who lived in Seattle for many years and loved the market. We stop at his favorite seafood vendor. You’re Dick’s sisters? Sure, I remember Dick! The vendor shares memories of one of his favorite customers.
We leave the market to get ready for the event that brought us to Seattle today.
The last time I was in this Seattle church was for my brother’s funeral. Today is about memories, acceptance and the joy of fighting like hell to create – and succeed – in new beginnings while treasuring the past. My sister-in-law is remarrying, to a man who also lost his spouse to cancer. The two couples knew each other well, so the new couple can grow while continuing to celebrate past memories. The ceremony began with candle lightings. Barbara’s tribute while lighting the candle says it best. With her permission, I share her words:
“I light this candle, remembering Dick whose light both challenged and guided me. I well remember how he grieved over all that he was going to miss, until that great day he found peace of mind and told me he realized that he wasn’t going to miss anything at all; that his spirit would be right here with us always. He asked me to remember that ONLY HE was dying. My job, he said, was to live, love, and laugh for both of us, and that means you need to be open to the possibility of finding another man to share your life with. There is no question in my mind that his spirit is in the events of today, so I light this candle for Dick whose light continues to guide and bless me, whose light helped me to see where my heart was leading.”
Whew.
Travel, to me, is largely about people. My trip to Seattle has allowed me to enjoy time with my sister whose flown in from Tucson, and to reconnect with nieces, nephews and cousins I haven’t spent time with for a very long time. As years pass, I treasure these decades-old relationships more and more. I make a mental note to think of others I should look up and reconnect with. Reconnecting with my past, treasuring the present and anticipating the future -- That’s what travel is all about.
Tomorrow, it’s off to Alaska.
We leave the market to get ready for the event that brought us to Seattle today.
The last time I was in this Seattle church was for my brother’s funeral. Today is about memories, acceptance and the joy of fighting like hell to create – and succeed – in new beginnings while treasuring the past. My sister-in-law is remarrying, to a man who also lost his spouse to cancer. The two couples knew each other well, so the new couple can grow while continuing to celebrate past memories. The ceremony began with candle lightings. Barbara’s tribute while lighting the candle says it best. With her permission, I share her words:
“I light this candle, remembering Dick whose light both challenged and guided me. I well remember how he grieved over all that he was going to miss, until that great day he found peace of mind and told me he realized that he wasn’t going to miss anything at all; that his spirit would be right here with us always. He asked me to remember that ONLY HE was dying. My job, he said, was to live, love, and laugh for both of us, and that means you need to be open to the possibility of finding another man to share your life with. There is no question in my mind that his spirit is in the events of today, so I light this candle for Dick whose light continues to guide and bless me, whose light helped me to see where my heart was leading.”
Whew.
Travel, to me, is largely about people. My trip to Seattle has allowed me to enjoy time with my sister whose flown in from Tucson, and to reconnect with nieces, nephews and cousins I haven’t spent time with for a very long time. As years pass, I treasure these decades-old relationships more and more. I make a mental note to think of others I should look up and reconnect with. Reconnecting with my past, treasuring the present and anticipating the future -- That’s what travel is all about.
Tomorrow, it’s off to Alaska.
IF YOU GO TO PIKE’S MARKET:
Hours - The market is open 7 days/week (closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Merchants set their own hours and hours vary depending on season, but generally 10-6 or til 7 in summer. Farmers may have produce ready much earlier in growing season. Arrival by 9 a.m. allows time for pastries at Le Panier across the street while watching the market wake up with vendor arrivals, flower deliveries and stocking of seafood. Being there at opening also beats the crowds, which can get heavy by midday.
Go Hungry - Sampling and buying berries, roasted nuts, fresh fruit and vegies, smoked salmon, pastries . . . can easily be a full meal or, for a rest, sit down at a window table on the 2nd or 3rd floor of Lowell’s for a bowl of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl while looking out over the harbor.
Hours - The market is open 7 days/week (closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Merchants set their own hours and hours vary depending on season, but generally 10-6 or til 7 in summer. Farmers may have produce ready much earlier in growing season. Arrival by 9 a.m. allows time for pastries at Le Panier across the street while watching the market wake up with vendor arrivals, flower deliveries and stocking of seafood. Being there at opening also beats the crowds, which can get heavy by midday.
Go Hungry - Sampling and buying berries, roasted nuts, fresh fruit and vegies, smoked salmon, pastries . . . can easily be a full meal or, for a rest, sit down at a window table on the 2nd or 3rd floor of Lowell’s for a bowl of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl while looking out over the harbor.
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Photography - Whether using your cell phone camera or a nice DSLR, any photographer will enjoy capturing the market visuals. If you enjoy macro photography, arriving early with a tripod and macro lense allows for amazing flower and other close-up shots. A tripod later in the day isn’t practical.
Smoked Salmon - Stock up on peppered smoked salmon and crackers, especially if you’ll be driving from Seattle. Nothing beats this snack, particularly if you’re sitting in a rest area on top of a mountain off of the North Cascades Highway northeast of Seattle.
Food Tours - If you have time, catch a Seattle Food Tour (seattlebitesfoodtours.com, savorseattletours.com, seattlefoodtours.com or foodtoursseattle.com). These tours give tastes of some of the best Seattle fare, provide an overview of history and behind the scenes stories, and take you to spots that may otherwise be missed - like the gum wall.
Smoked Salmon - Stock up on peppered smoked salmon and crackers, especially if you’ll be driving from Seattle. Nothing beats this snack, particularly if you’re sitting in a rest area on top of a mountain off of the North Cascades Highway northeast of Seattle.
Food Tours - If you have time, catch a Seattle Food Tour (seattlebitesfoodtours.com, savorseattletours.com, seattlefoodtours.com or foodtoursseattle.com). These tours give tastes of some of the best Seattle fare, provide an overview of history and behind the scenes stories, and take you to spots that may otherwise be missed - like the gum wall.
Gum Wall - This wall, next to the entrance to an old theater, began years ago when theater-goers would remove their gum before entering the theater. The colorful and ever-changing wall now acts as a back-drop for wedding photos and is a popular stop for tourists. The wall is located in the alley just to the left as you’re facing the main entrance to the market.
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