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Hello Ya'll
I'm currently sitting at the computer without my notes so I shall try and remember off the top of my head my daily activities yesterday.
Saturday 5th June - As you have read previously, I wanted to get an early night which I did; I ended up getting to sleep by 2130 and not waking up till almost that time 12 hours later today, hence I missed the free hostel breakfast. Instead, I went to an Irish Bar for brunch which was rather nice. They had potato wedges like fries rather than the normal type. Some people were having beer at 1100 in the morning I noticed. I went to the Greyhound Station and learnt that traveling down to San Diego would take 32 hours, which after only 2 days after my last 21 hour journey, I didn't fancy another long journey so soon. It's a shame that I shall miss San Diego but I feel I made the right decision to stay in Seattle for a few extra days in my comfortable hostel, with a double bed, free breakfast and all amenities that I need. I can imagine that traveling down to LA is not going to be too far short of the 32 hours but that is a journey that needs to be done. To let you know, it did take me a while to reach the decision that I made. After this, I completed my list that of things to do, including: personally responding to all blog emails and all necessary hotmail emails; both took rather a long time! For dinner, I went to a local chinese restaurant and had Orange Beef with Shrimp Chow Mien, which was lovely. Got back to my hostel and after listening to some music (Jimi Hendrix amongst others) and reading some of my book, I went to sleep approaching 2300.
Sunday 6th June - I awoke early today at 0700 only to fall asleep again for a few more winks. As it's a Sunday today, the breakfast hours are extended to 1030 so this extension allowed me to have both a shower and breakfast; I had a bowl of pineapple - perhaps my most healthiest meal in America so far! It was nice having some fruit though. At first today, I found myself struggling what to do but after picking up a "What to do in Seattle leaflet", it gave me a few options. Today, I decided that I would do two things; firstly, to visit the grave of legendary guitarist, Jimi Hendrix and secondly, the grave of martial arts superstar, Bruce Lee. Yes, it's a bit sombre but ultimately, it was something I had to do whilst in Seattle. Firstly then, I had to catch two buses (101 and 105) to a nearby city called Renton and get off at Monroe Avenue to go to Greenwood Memorial Cemetery where I saw both his Monument and Grave. They had a plaque on the song "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)". According to the "things to do" sheet, if you leave your pick there overnight, the next morning you can play Purple Haze left-handed! Can't say I shall try it though. After a short rest stop in the hostel and grabbing lunch from Subway opposite the hostel, I walked a few blocks East to Broadway and then a few blocks North to Volunteer Park (passing through a gay area which wasn't to my liking), where the cemetery was located just north of the park. At first, trying to locate his grave was similar to trying to find a needle in a haystack. Just on the point of giving up, I noticed a group of people (Chinese and Whites) around a particular tombstone but as a precaution, I respectively walked in a half circle around this particular tombstone - didn't want to be disrespectful to a mourning party did I?! Imagine trying to explain that to them! "Excuse me, I'm trying to find the grave of Bruce Lee, can you help me?" As soon as their cameras came out though, it was rather obvious that I was at the correct grave. It was a shame that there were a few people around the grave; it would have been nice just to stand there quietly for a few moments out of respect for Bruce Lee and my enjoyment of his films. After taking a few pictures, I decided to leave and got back to my hostel by 1730, quickly let you all know of my activities in the last two days. The free Sunday dinner is ready now, looks like tortillas. Tomorrow I shall go to the Experience Music Project.
I can't believe that a week today, I shall be flying back to London Heathrow in just over two hours. I am looking forward to it! With all these amenities, especially the free usage of computers, I should be able to keep you all up to date on almost a daily schedule. When I get back, I shall create a diary into Word with more daily details with this blogging page acting as the basic framework. I am looking forward to showing you all the pictures, you will have to discuss before I get back about how you want to do it. With over 1300 pictures, do you fancy seeing them all in one go or in installments? Today whilst on the bus, I kept finding myself reminiscing about the tour and the funny moments it contained, especially that stupid dance in New Orleans. It's a shame that it's completed and in the past, it really was very good! In my opinion, tour traveling is far better than solo travel; I miss the laughs, the company, the tour guide, in some ways the camping but in general, the group orientated atmosphere.
I popped into the Hard Rock Shop opposite the hostel today and yet again, it had a small selection of products and none worthy of purchase. As of yet, I have yet to find anything worth purchasing for Fathers Day; I wonder if Fathers Day in England is the same day in the US. Mothers Day was a different day in the US.
As I have been reading in my Lonely Planet USA Guide, the main Greyhound Station is in an unsavory part of Downtown LA so they suggest I avoid arriving after dark. It might mean leaving Seattle in the early morning hours of Wednesday (9th) to arrive mid/late afternoon on the Thursday (10th) in LA. Hopefully, there is a taxi rank near the Station so I can avoid any possible dangers and to get more speedily to my hotel (Wilshire Hotel) after many hours on a Greyhound in the same clothes of 2 days wearing without a shower let alone a quick freshen up.
Anyway, after a longer blog today and a few more thoughts put into this one, I shall drop my belongings in my room, get some dinner, perhaps some more music and reading and then more sleep.
Love to you all, Jonathan
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