Seattle

Well, we have been here for long enough now that I think I have a feel for the city. There are things that are definitely Seattle for me now - things that whenever I see, smell or hear will always remind me of this place, for better or for worse. The first that comes to mind is teriyaki - I smell charring beef on every other street corner in and around the city. It smells delicious. Even on my way into work at 8 in the morning it still makes me crave some hunk of meaty goodness. I have yet to actually try any of the teriyaki joints - we have made our own but couldn't achieve the same mouthwatering smell of cooking flesh. I think I've been looking at too many of those food porn sites as my description there dangerously teeters on the point of cliche.
The other quintessentially Seattle product is coffee. I am a barista and I can tell you, I'm sick of the lingo out here. 'Can I have an extra hot double tall split shot non fat mocha with a bit of whip?' No, no you bloody can't. You can have a straight-up goddamn fucking coffee and be damn glad I didn't spit in it. Well, I can't say that, but trust me, I'm thinking it. There is a lot of pretentiousness surrounding the coffee culture and Seattlites have high expectations of their coffee. I suppose you have to have a bit of taste in something, even if it is just coffee.
Hipsters have overtaken Seattle. Kurt Cobain must be turning in his grave. Lots of lost 20 somethings with too much time in the morning to get ready. This time applies especially to men and not only to their hair and carefully placed scarf/neckerchief but also how long it takes to pour themselves and their poor little bollocks into the tightest drainpipe jeans. Style here must have taken a dramatic turn after the grunge movement. There is a lot of alternative here, but all of it smacks of effort. Everyone seems to be trying to prove something.
Don't get me wrong, Seattle is a beautiful city. It's nestled in a forest surrounded by mountains and lakes. Everywhere you turn is another stunning view. But that's in the distance. Up front you have a whole load of people vying for your attention with signs. The homeless stand on the corners of junctions and beg for money from their captive audience. Politicians stand on other junctions waving signs advertising themselves. Shops stick people out on the street with big signs to wave to goad people in. And most interesting of all - people stand and hold huge signs over overpasses with their beliefs splattered all over it. So far I've been told who I should vote for, that I should be vegan and that I should follow the path of christ according some referenced bible verse. It's a bit chilly at the moment and yet they are still there, smiling and waving and trying to change your mind.
For all these reasons, and many more that I am sure I will discover, I shan't be choosing Seattle as a city to settle down in. Even at the right time of life for that business. A great place for a while, but not a keeper. So new travel plans have been formed. An RV will be be purchased and used in a road trip across America. When we run out of money, we stop, get a job and save until we can move on. I am aware it is in its primitive stages of development, but watch this space as plans progress. If anyone has any helpful comments about road trips, RV's or places to go drop me comment.
Next time I write I'll fill in on what we've been up to, but I just had to get that off my chest!