April 14, 2012 – Up at 4:30am to pack a few things, feed the monsters, and catch a cab to the train station to head down to Seattle, today we were walking down the street and fond ourselves following four colourful bears. We are wondering if it is Seattle, or us. When we came down here for the motorcycle show in December we encountered thousands of Santas – Santa-con. Tired? Hallucinating? Soon after that we started to come across some people wearing bunny ears. Seemed strange, but we figured it had to do with the fact that there were both a Mariners game (baseball) and a Sounders game (soccer) on this afternoon. We couldn’t figure out the connection, but hey, who are we to judge?
We had a great lunch at the Collins Pub, and then spent the afternoon wandering about town. We decided to take in a comedy show and found that there is an improv theatre near the Market, off Post Alley somewhere. We ended up down near Pike Place and strolled into Post Alley looking for the theatre. After no success, we stopped in Sur la Table and asked for directions. The woman told me to “Go down to the Market, past the place where they throw the fish, down the stairs and into the alley, along the gum wall”, and we’d find the theatre. Ummm – OK.
Gum Wall?
Kirk didn’t hear that part, but we both knew where they throw the fish, and we found the staircase to the alley. As we descended the stairs I caught a sight through a window that shocked and amazed me, and revolted me even more.
The “Gum Wall”.
Ever stumble on a tourist attraction you almost wished that you hadn’t?
Kirk was astounded. I at least had heard the directions and been wondering what they were referring to. I’d thought to myself “Nah, couldn’t be something that gross.”
I was wrong.
Words can’t describe it. Except to say that it is a brick wall, covered – and I do mean covered – in chewed gum. All those times in this area and we had never heard of this, nor had we stumbled onto it. It’s amazing to behold, and revolting to consider. As we stood there looking at it, a local came down the stairs after us and said to us “You don’t want to touch that wall”. No, no I don’t.
The theatre box office wasn’t yet open, so we headed off for a walk along the upper reaches of Post Alley. As we rounded a corner, we were confronted with a massive number of people dressed as bunny rabbits, bears, chickens, and even a skunk. They were spilling out of several bars along the alley.
Not a clue why! What is it with this city and Saturday costumes?
After some laughter, and a transit through the crowds, we headed off to Purple for dinner, and to try some new wines. After that, we headed back, picked up tickets, and then went off to kill the hour until the show. We went back to the upper part of Post Alley and found an outside table at the Wine Tasting Room, where we asked about the bunny mob, and were told that it was thought to be some Facebook generated gathering, “Bunny-con”, that even the bar owners had not been prepared for.
You just never know what you are going to encounter in this city!
After a bottle of wine we ended up back at the Market Theatre for the show – “BYOM” (Build Your Own Musical), where they quizzed the audience for input and then put on a very funny show. At one point Kirk was pulled from the audience to be the “Director”, and direct he did. Flamboyantly! So glad it was him and not me!
Strange day. Great day!
Oh, and I managed to sunburn my forehead! Awesome, maybe the weather is finally arriving!
8 comments
Ewww to the gum wall!
You have been here then?
Ewww to the gum wall!
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