Pike Place Market

"Fresh Fish! Right Here! Come and Get It!"
"Do you see how big those fish are?"
"What kind of fish is that?"
"Take my picture!"
"Do you smell those roasted apples?"
"Look at those pastries!"
"I've never seen flower arrangements like that before!"
"Let's taste that marionberry jelly."
"Dried apples only three dollars a bag! We have cherry flavored apples. We have blackberry. Take your pick!"
"I think the guidebook said to try Jack's Fish Spot."
"I don't know. I think I'm hungry for some clam chowder. Let's stop here."
"Seattle's Best Coffee!"
"Do you want a double shot or single shot? 8 0z., 12 oz., or 16 oz.? What kind of milk? Whipped cream? Any syrup? OK. Next!"
"Piroshkies and borscht soup! I've never seen that before. I think the apple cinnamon ones are supposed to be good."
"I wish I could buy one of those flower arrangements and take it home!"
"Wouldn't it be amazing to live here? Every day we could stroll down to the market to get what we need. I could imagine us in one of those brick lofts right past Post Alley. I would walk down to buy fresh flowers for the dining room. You'd buy fresh fish for dinner. Then we could have coffee and piroshkies and walk by the water."
"That would be amazing!"
"Freshly made doughnuts! Five for a Dollar!"
"Get Today's News! Right Here!"
"Can you smell those roast chestnuts? I can't believe I'm still hungry!"
"Save some room because we haven't even found the famous crab cake place yet."

Overwhelming. That's the best word to describe Pike Place Market. A cacophony of sounds and aromas. Hundreds of tourists crowding around the locals who are actually trying to buy food. Myriad small food stands and taste samples. Creamy clam chowder. Melt-in-your-mouth crab cakes. Aromatic coffee. Daffodils, cinnamon roles, homemade jam, hand crafted jewelry, specialty soaps, leather journals, fresh herbs - all of this and more is packed into the stalls of the market. Extending for blocks, the market is a collection of food stands, artisan booths, restaurants, pubs, coffee houses, newsstands, and florists. Surrounded by food and community, we felt as though we were in another country! People slowed down to speak to one another, others were talking through open upstairs windows, or pausing for a drink in Post Alley. The world moved a little bit slower - probably because everyone, including us, had eaten one sample too many! The excitement of the crowds, the unexpected thrill of smells, and the abundance of locally grown food and coffee keeps us coming back to Pike Place on trip after trip to Seattle. I think I can smell the cranberry and white chocolate piroshky from here!

Posting By: Rebecca
Photo By: Ted