I tipped the ice cream seller who had found my lost phone and held it until I could pick it up. I was ecstatic that I had the phone back and had already run through in my mind the consequences of losing it mid-trip at Pike Street Market in Seattle. I realized I didn’t have it when I went to take a picture of the ferry at the dock. The dock is about an hour’s slow walk and three flights of stairs from the Market to the water level in Seattle. Ugh!
I made it back in less than thirty minutes, stopping only when I had no choice. As fast as I could go without running. I checked the men’s room, then the first store, and was elated to recover it. I then went up the hill and walked down Post Alley to Kell’s (the whiskey place opens later). I usually visit the one by the Saturday Market in Portland. I had lots of water and a gin and tonic (my hands were still shaking a bit from the exertion; it is a lot of hills and stairs). I finished with ginger ale. No food, since after that workout I was glad my lunch had stayed down. Feeling better, I walked to my hotel, grabbed my bag, and took an Uber (which I could order since I had my iPhone). For $18, including tip and tax, I reached the train station an hour before boarding. I watched them board the Empire Builder. I rode it all the way and didn’t enjoy the mini-room or full room on the way back on the southern train.
But my chair was comfortable, and a young person sat with me, taking the train only halfway to Olympia. We both watched shows on our devices, my laptop and the young person’s iPhone. I walked to the Cafe car and got a Diet Coke, a bag of chips, and a cheese-and-cracker kit. It was two cars away, and I was jealous of the folks who snagged a table in the car for the trip. But the lack of cigarette smoke, drinks, and 1940s dress style spoiled it a bit (and it should have been in black & white). For just under $12, I picked up a few goodies to take back to my seat. I looked for my red bag to find my way back, since all the young people seemed to be dressed in black, and I wasn’t sure which person I was sitting with. Hmmm.
My WiFi failed about halfway back to Portland, and I will have to remember to download some movies for the next trip. I was bored for about an hour, but I could have read and then returned to my find at the map store in Pike Street Market, on Brazilian customs and manners. It covers Brazil’s social history by region as an introduction and as a way to explain customs and manners. I am about 1/2 through the book. I read it at Kell’s and during other breaks on Saturday.
The train arrived, and I grabbed my bag and headed into the dark streets of Portland to catch the MAX, which is only a few blocks away. I wanted Southbound but got on the Northbound tracks, had to backtrack, and finally, after about ten blocks (it felt good to move), I was outside the arcade, Ground Kontrol, and caught a MAX there.
My iHop card recharge failed, meaning I could not board and pay. AMEX is being rejected. After some fiddling, I got the Visa to work. Ugh! Not a place to be getting out your wallet and flashing a platinum card.
That one dropped me off two blocks from Pioneer Square, and I soon spent 15 minutes waiting for a Red MAX to Beaverton. Joan S picked me up in Beaverton and drove me home. Thanks again, Joan S. Everything was in order at the house, and I was soon in bed reading Sherlock Holmes and nodding off.
The morning started with me ignoring my 6 alarm and rising around 7. After showering and all that, I grabbed my laptop. Three Gals is a food joint in the Pike Street Market that has been there since 1912, and I had lox and an everything bagel. Sadly, I saw they use a bagel-like bread product, not their own, but the salmon, veggies, and so on were excellent. I finished the blog at their table, then walked around the market, marveling at the Saturday tourist-filled crowd and the number of tour guides leading people through the sights.
I headed to Seattle Art Museum and enjoyed the art and French Impressionist. They also had a printing workshop on the foruth floor and I did “Go Wild Seattle” for their wall. It was a nice couple of hours (and 1/2 off when showing my State Hotel room key).
On Saturday, I saw salmon being thrown in one of my passes through the market, and the crowd was very pleased, with iPhones raised. It seems to be a Saturday event. Or maybe there was a sudden fish sale, but it was still nice to see again.
As I mentioned, I stopped by the map store, found a book on Brazil, and picked up a few other items. I wandered the other places I missed, and soon looked for lunch. The usual places were mobbed, but Pike Street Grill let me in without a wait, since they have single- or two-person tables. There, I enjoyed fish and chips, but with salmon (it could have been a bit crisper, but it was still excellent). Big slabs of salmon with the usual generic fries and good coleslaw.
I then used the men’s room and lost my iPhone. I walked all the way around the market, then took the new cement and plant park path that leads to the piers. They are lovely and recommended. I saw that all the tour boats were out (imagine discovering your phone missing on a boat trip; I shudder at the thought) and wouldn’t return in time for me to avoid rushing. I enjoyed a long walk. Food was everywhere, and I was glad I had already eaten!
And here, at the end of this story’s circle, I discovered my phone was missing.
Thank you for reading.
