the siren got larangitis

Exactly how many coffee shops are there in Seattle? I don't know exactly. There's one on every corner though. And considering there are about 600 Starbucks Coffee shops within the metropolitan area, that adds up a to a fairly nervous city. You would think.

But being the sappy corporate consumer that I am, I had to make a pit stop at the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market. And having devoted six years of my life to the company, I felt a bit verclempt when I realized that they still pull their espresso and say "thank you" after handing you your coffee. I would have like to have seen them call out my drink "double-tall nonfat extra-hot latte". But no such luck. Instead the register person throws the cup at the barista. I miss the good-old days.

I still got teary-eyed though. It must have been a great place to work at back in the early Schultz days before they over expanded to middle-America. I still got my mug. I collect Starbucks Coffee mugs from around the world. It's something I started doing when I worked for the company and grew out of collecting stuffed animals.

The rest of Pike Place Market is wonderful. It's a feast for the senses. So many sights, smells, sounds . . . you get the picture. I saw the biggest Alaskan King Crab legs I've ever seen and wished I had a kitchen to cook them in. Instead, I settled for Pike Place Chowder on the other side of the market, hidden behind some brick buildings and a couple of stoned street musicians playing Journey on an accordian a' la Weird Al. There was a line around the corner. Always a good sign.

The chowder in a sourdough bread bowl hit the spot. Creamy, cheesy and chunky with a fair share of Russet potatoes. Perfect for a cold and windy afternoon. Wish I could say the same for the bread. What can I say, I'm from San Francisco. Nothing compares to the sourdough from the City by the Bay.

After a quick stroll through the flagship Nordstrom's store in downtown, I headed back to the hotel. Just in time before the northern wind and rain started. First it hit Lake Union and then moved its way into town. A beautiful sight to see.

I took it as a sign to enjoy the Westin Hotel's swimming pool and jacuzzi one last time. And of course since it was raining - well, it was Law and Order marathons and room service to the rescue.