16th and 17th February - Seattle

US border immigration actually turned out to be a breeze and they even had a sense of humour - absolute miracle and no sign of glass toilets anywhere, result.

The Greyhound bus we got (got a 6 week pass as too skint to hire a car) did break down a minute into the US though so we got into Seattle 2 hours late. We couldn't get off the bus due to overkeen US security ('I will not hesitate to use fatal force' e.t.c.) so a bit of a painful experience.

Stayed at a Best Western which meant microwave meals for 2 nights (great), but pretty decent room compared to what we've been used to and it was right in the heart of the city. Had a couple of locally brewed Mongoose Pale Ales to celebrate our first night in The States.

Next day around Seattle was awesome and we both loved the city. Checked out Pioneer Square which was a bit dull, but had a couple of totem poles before walking along the waterfront to the famous Pike Place market. Was a great mix of the best London markets (Borough and Spitalfields) and had a great eclectic crowd milling around - a really good atmosphere.

Browsed around the book and music shops for a while and saw the fish counter blokes throwing massive fish around before getting an awesome Korean burrito thing from one of the stalls for lunch. I managed to get myself a pair of jeans as well - the first time I've worn any for 5 months which felt very weird...

One of the shop owners told us to wander round the corner to check out the 'chewing gum wall' - a couple of street walls absolutely covered from top to button with people's chewed gum. There were some pretty creative designs there and I was pretty impressed, though Sarah was a bit creeped out by it.

Went to the Olympic Sculpture Park next (breezy) then to the Seattle Music Experience which was great. Saw a big Jimi Hendrix exhibition and a huge guitar exhibit and both had a go on the guitar and drum interactive lessons which was wicked. Only bad thing was that a Nirvana exhibition will be opening in April and we'll miss it - arse.