Coffee

It's fun not to have a job. I spent the past week walking around, exploring different neighborhoods close to where we live, visiting different museums & tourist attractions, etc. The weather has been great; contrary to popular belief it's not always rainy and gray in Seattle. We're doing well at figuring out the lay of the land...where is the best sushi within walking distance, who has the best pizza, the coolest wine bar, etc.

I've also been trying to find the best coffee, which is no easy task in Seattle. Of course there is Starbucks and their Caribou-like counterpart called Tully's, but there are also plenty of independent coffee shops. I've counted at least 6 such small, "craft" shops & roasters. They're all based in the coffee-Mecca neighborhood called Capitol Hill, but most have opened a few branches around time. Luckily, there are 3 branches within a few blocks of our apartment. Some specialize in American drip-style coffee, some in very strong Italian style espresso, some in cappuccino & latte. I've read that some of the best baristas, the ones who can make hearts or palm trees out of the foamy milk on the top of your latte, can make $40k/year and get full benefits! That's how seriously they take it here. For those of you reading who are coffee drinkers, needless to say I will have plenty of great places to take you when you come to visit.

Have to run now. Anya is building a small forest of a garden on our balcony and we have to make our 3rd trip to the nursery in as many days :-)