khiemtran | Pike Place Market

Pike Place was a fun place to walk around, although I was a bit remiss in not getting better daytime photographs.

As promised, I had to make my pilgrimage to the First Starbucks Store. Although according to wikitravel, it is actually a block away from the actual first store.

This shot shows it a bit less crowded than normal. You can't just walk in, you have to join a queue just inside the door and then you can go up to order. The busking spot next to the entrance had a different group or performer every time I walked past.

Inside, it's just like any other Starbucks store, except for the retro logos and the lack of any place to sit. The guy behind the coffee machine was doing a great line of banter with the waiting customers.

Meanwhile, not far away, there was another landmark a local friend was keen to show us...

And, it's ... a Chewing Gum wall. Definitely the most noteworthy chewing gum wall I've encountered in all my travels.

And a close up.

Unfortunately, I was too busy to get any shots of the market proper in operation. I did see the famous fish shop where the workers throw fish around (with a lot of shouting and other theatrics), the various craft stalls, the Daily Dozen doughnut stand (do not try eating a dozen a day from this place), the Piroshky store where people queue out the door, the Beatles (looking a lot younger than I expected), the Japanese hotdog stand, and lots of other places.

Here's a picture after all of it was closed.