I was going to start this post saying how day 2 in Seattle (Sunday 11/24) started out so leisurely, which I LOVE on vacation, but then I was like… “wait, but weren’t we like… out the door for our day by 9:00?!”

Then I remembered. I was on central time and up before 6:00. I went downstairs to start painting then Val showed up and she did too. Then Christina and I went to the local grocery store (it’s so fun to check out grocery stores in a new town!) then we went back, and we all went for coffee at a place recommended by the Airbnb owner, then we left, by 9:00 for our big day.

Phew.

Oh! As I am writing this, I’m remembering a conversation Snis and I had with a local the night before when we were parking the car and the local was walking her horse (maybe a Newfoundland? so big!). She was telling us which grocery stores to go to, and which to avoid, and she recommended a Mexican place to us (which we walked by, but never made it to). We talked to several locals and got recs from them (including the place we’d go to for lunch later in the day). Anyway. Not sure why I had to share that. For my memory’s sake. Moving on.

We decided to walk down to Pike Place Market and walk back (35 mins each way). I love seeing famous places like this that I’ve seen in movies and heard people talk about visiting. I never realize it until I’m there, but I’ve always created some image of the famous place in my head that never matches up! Not that I’m disappointed, but that it’s not what my brain created. For example, I was expecting the market to have higher ceilings. Random, right?

We enjoyed the shops around it, and the shops in it. We were all grossed out by the gum wall (which had recently been cleaned, but people were starting up again, ew). For lunch we went to a place with fresh pasta – Pasta Casalinga – that a local had recommended to us in line at Starbucks the day before. I’m usually not a red sauce girlie, but the simple flavors and homemade pasta hit the spot!

We walked around a bit more, a little down the pier, then back up to Pike Place to hit up the Original Starbucks. On the way there I gasped when I walked by an open bakery that had vegan snickerdoodles – my favorite! I HAD to get one! Another person getting a cookie laughed at how excited I was – but nicely – we passed him later and he was all “did you get your cookie?” I SURE DID! I had it later in the day and it was amazing.

What can I say. I get REALLY excited about food.

Back to Starbucks – we’d heard the lines were better in the afternoon and they were! We waited less than 20 minutes then were let in. Let me tell you, this Starbucks has it DOWN! It’s a tiny space (hence the line and multiple staff directing you) but it didn’t feel nutso in there – you’re directed to the counter to order drinks and merch from a barista (I got the almond milk sugar cookie latte with their special Pike Place blend coffee and a Pike Place Been There mug) then you go to another side to wait for your order. The staff were super friendly, and there is even someone walking around to take photos. A+ experience!

After that we walked back to our Airbnb and I lost my shit when I saw a döner kabob place! I’ve been dreaming about the one we had in Germany and knew I’d be back to try this one!

When we got back to our place a local rock painting friend, also named Carrie (ha!), was there to hang out with us and paint! We hadn’t met her in person before and had such a nice time chatting and painting together.

After she took off, Tiff, Val, and I went to the top of the Space Needle. What a trip that was! The night views were super cool, but the moving floor on the lower level made me feel dizzy and drunk!

After that I got my döner kabob (5/10, eh), Snis picked up Thai, and Tiff and Val got burgers from a local place. Then we hung out and painted. A full, fun day!