GLORY be to God for dappled things— For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow; For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings; Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough; And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim. All things counter, original, spare, strange; Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?) - Gerard Manley Hopkins
I am honestly so tired from all the traveling and full days work so far, that i don't have a whole lot to say. I am settled in very well. I love the people here. It is without a doubt, the most beautiful place that I have ever had the privilege to experience. It's unreal. I've been up since 3:30 am, and I'm about to take a small nap before getting back to work for dinner service. Hopefully I'll have some pictures uploaded soon-maybe tonight. I shot a few pics from the float plane coming into the island, but I haven't really had a whole lot of time so far. I hit the ground running basically. Love you all.
Well today was quite an eclectic day. I had the opportunity to visit Safeco field today to watch the Mariners play the Giants. The weather was gorgeous. Probably about 69 F most of the day, and not a cloud in the sky. Ken Griffey Jr knocked one out of the park. I was shooting him at just the right time.
On another note- on the way home from the ballgame I witnessed my very first hit and run. The driver responsible slammed into an SUV, backed up then sped off. The vehicle hit followed him immediately. Traffic stopped and onlookers watched as the SUV chased the guilty party several times around the block.............. Somebody had priors.
P.s. My beloved Redsox have taken first place in their division.
It was a good day. I shook the hand of a potential employer-Chef Keith Luce of the Herbfarm in Woodinville, WA. As well, I hugged one of the cooks. Renae was her name, and she was the best friend of my ex-girlfriend during my studies at the Culinary. It is indeed a small world we live in. As we embraced, it struck the Chef to be very odd. It seemed however, to be an aid in opening up conversation with the Chef and owner and possibly getting a foot in the door for employment. We'll see what the future holds. For those that are interested, please check this place out. It is beautiful. It also beat out the French Laundry, as the best dining destination in the nation.
http://www.theherbfarm.com/
P.S. I experienced my first struggle with finding a public restroom in the city of Seattle. There were none.
Today I ventured back to the market to get my peach. After telling the vendor of my trials the previous day, he gave me a deal on some incredible pears. I tucked myself away in a quiet corner to eat my fruit while watching the people of Seattle pass by in such a hurry. They must not see what I see. It must have worn off long ago. They've lived here for too long.
Everything here just tastes better, and I don't know why. I think the saying goes..."Do windows really make coffee taste better"?? I think they do.
For the remainder of the day I simply roamed around the city. The friendliness of this place amazes me. A far cry from NY.
Today I wandered the streets of Seattle for the first time. It is, as I am told, the most beautiful time of the year here. It stopped raining the day before I arrived, and is due to begin again, shortly after my leaving. I started my day on Pike Ave, where I sat alone quietly with the newest issue of Nat. Geographic and a Reuben at a local sandwich shop, the Honey Hole. I worked my way downtown on Pike which led me to the famed Pike's Place Market. I was overwhelmed as I rummaged through piles of fresh morels, porcinis, English pea pods, fiddlehead ferns, jumbo aspargus...the list goes on. I thought to myself, ...this happens everyday here!!! One of the vendors, was coaxing in potential customers(as most of them do), by cutting a piece of their prized stock and feeding it to passers by. I was sold. Three ripe and ready to eat white peaches-the best I have ever tasted. I cradled them with excitement, fighting off any urge to eat them right away. I would save them for later. A big finale to come!
I took a brief rest at a small restaurant inside the market by the name of Athenian, where from my booth I enjoyed a cold locally brewed beer as I stared through an old glass window at the beauty of Mount Rainier amid the Cascade Mountain Range-It's peak still finished with snow. Shortly after, I made my way towards pier 70 where I met up with an old friend from highschool, which I haven't seen for aleast 12 years. It was surreal but fantastic to say the least. As I made my way through the city, I came upon the stores Patagonia and Mtn. Hardwear. To those who know me...I need say no more. Might I mention, that I purchased my very first pair of galoshes(personally recommended by the fishmongers at Pike's Market). They will come in handy on the boats in Alaska. After a few more hours of getting lost, I decided it was time to head home. Tonight's menu: Morel mushroom ragout, English pea risotto, Wild Alaskan Salmon...and of course...my three white peaches.
After waiting for the bus at the wrong stop for one hour, I headed to my new starting point, where when I arrived i was told by the very helpful citizens of Seattle, that I had just missed the 73, and it would be another hour wait. As I waited, i began thinking of my peaches again. But no!! I was not going to give in. Save them for later-I thought. My bus eventually arrived, and I boarded and headed home. When I arrived at my destination(2 hours late), I burst through the door with excitement and story. And as I rummaged through my bags to unearth my prized possesions, it was NOT peaches that I found, but peach puree.
That said...Goodnight. I have a long journey back to the market tomorrow to eat a peach.
