Seattle and Bobbe!

Since we were on the West Coast anyway, my wife graciously agreed to a detour through Seattle on the way back to spend three days with Bobbe.
After a very brief fretful wait in the terminal for Bobbe and Jason, Bobbe found out people usually wait for rides outside, not inside (thanks Jason).
When we originally planned this trip, Bobbe was handcuff free (unemployed). But someone was fooled and hired him before too long or at least they don't read his blog.
Nonetheless, we made plenty of plans that night over a delicious Pasta prepared by Gary.
Bobbe would bring us with to him to work ("bring your escrimador to work day" has a nice ring to it), and would magnanimously provide us with the keys to his Bentley.
Of course we had done no research on Seattle beyond the place where they throw fish and the needle in the (sk)eye.

Here, as I understand it, is the most common view of Seattle for most of the year, WET.

Actually, it only rained for one day but we had spent the previous week in SF wearing shorts and drinking iced coffee from Peet's Coffee http://www.peets.com/

The obligatory picture of Pike's market fish mongers. You know, for all the marketing hype, we both thought the place would be much bigger.

We did quite enjoy strolling the market and you could spend a fair amount of time shopping. We were pretty well shopped out by SF but still managed to drop some cash.

Then we found the Seattle Aquarium. If I'm on vacation you can always talk me into visiting an aquarium. I've kept fish longer than I've done martial Arts, in fact met my first training partner Dave through aquariums (another story). Even had 6 tanks going at one time, down to just Koi now.

News Flash!!! The Aquarium is world class. Built over one of the piers on the waterfront, this place is fantastic. Inside and outside displays.

Naturally we had to visit the Needle. Everyone in Seattle agreed even they did it once.

And the view was worth it.

We also visited the Science Fiction Museum at Bobbe's insistence. "You may find out you're more of a SF geek than you realize". Yep, he was right. Unfortunately they also don't allow pictures. A nice feature I found was if you want to remember the movie or book, you could email yourself at a kiosk and they have a website of lists. http://www.empsfm.org/education/index.asp?categoryID=211

So unfortunately, the only pic I have is from the Needle. Great place. Even Roberta was entertained (worried about that).

There was also some interesting evening play times with Bobbe in his garage (excepting maybe the soundtrack). Bobbe's students are an eclectic group of miscreants (must be Bobbe's scent that attracts them or something) and Bobbe is giving them some great instruction. Very welcoming bunch too. I hadn't planned to show any Navadisha but Bobbe sorta put me on the spot. I had no idea of their skill levels or breadth of experience (significant I found later) so I'm sure it wasn't exactly earth moving. But then Navadisha really only has one goal and it ain't to impress, rather "don't get dead , (by the big sword)".

Since we were having so much fun training, I completely forgot about the camera. I do have one video but it's not for public consumption.

I don't even have the obligatory "I was here and trained at the feet of the master/guro" picture. Bobbe has it but seems to be withholding that gem.

Now this being a trip with Bobbe, make no mistake there was also some serious culinary exploits involved as well. Bobbe managed to hook me on White Owl instant Thai coffee too, bastard. Can't get it here but found a passable substitute and it comes in handy when you're running late like Bobbe.

Chinatown at 11PM is especially magical. And that squirrel I saw out way past his bedtime? Nope, not a squirrel. Yes, they do feed the rats quite well there.

The Malay Satay Hut was ginormously delicious as well. I told Bobbe, just pick a page and I'll try everything on it. Glorious!

On the last day it was gorgeous out and I heard it remarked that it was one of only 80 days a year when some of the distant mountains are visible