1. First time really enjoying a cup of coffee. I had the best mocha ever last week at a little cafe called Arosa that is a block from work. Hans, who owns the shop, is from Switzerland and uses real Swiss chocolate flakes in the mocha - so tasty!
2. First time looking for apartments. I wish this experience was as wonderful as the mocha... but it's been hard. There are a lot of choices, but none of them have been really good options for me. I may have found somewhere, though... more details to come! (if it actually works out... one thing I've learned is that apartments go fast in Seattle!)
3. First time dealing with the difficulties of public transit in a big city. One day last week, I took the bus from work to Queen Anne to look at a condo. Not only was the bus 20 minutes late, but it was also crowded with some very interesting people.
4. First time to see what living under an overpass means. I was walking to visit a different condo and had to walk under the I-5 bridge. It was pouring with rain (shocking, I know), so not many people were walking around, but I took a moment to look around as I was under the bridge. I was shocked and heartbroken by what I saw. There were tents and sleeping bags everywhere. Not just a few, but many of them. I took a minute just to stand there and reflect on what I had just experienced. I had always heard of people living under overpasses, but had never really been exposed to it. I'm not sure what this experience means for my time in Seattle, but it has left a deep impression on me.
And that's the end of the list for now... I'm sure there are more, but I can't think of any right now.
There is actually a huge homeless population in the Oregon and Washington area because there are a ton of resources. They are very progressive in trying to help, which also means that people in need come from all over the country to receive that help.
ReplyDeleteIt's very sad to think that people have to move just to be treated with some respect.
(this is a very depressing post - next one not so much)