The Blog of Lone

And so it begins.

Airport: after rigorous security check (was I really going to hide a bomb in my belt?) first things first, pub!  Last pint of real ale for 3 months, chased down with a lovely Laiphraig.  Looking out the windows at the fat planes on the runway sets me thinking of the sheer impossibility that these giant metal tubes can actually fly.  Nerves setting in, requires several more beers.
Travelling 4800 miles from home inside a metal tube can be surprisingly manageable when the food is good and the whisky and wine is free.  Had lots of leg room, but balanced against the responsibility of opening the emergency door and thus having the lives of everyone on the plane in my hands.  After more wine this seemed a reasonable compromise.
Economy seats ergonomically designed to be impossible to sleep in for anyone over 4 foot 5 inches.  Coffee, torturous seating and 20 hours continuous sunlight tends to give one insomnia.
Allowed into US after filling out a form stating I was not a terrorist, drug dealer, spy, convicted of any moral turpitude or, bizarrely enough, carrying snails.  Oh, if only they knew.  Got photographed and biometrically scanned.  Fascists.
Strange country, strange city, and the first thing I have to do is work out which bus I need.  I can’t even do that in England.  Only map I have is a print out from Google, next to useless.
First impression of Seattle - everyone is damned friendly.  No change for bus, so driver let me ride free.  Got chatting to some guy going by the name of Thomas when he heard my accent (accent, what accent? It’s you who has the accent buddy).  He showed me where my hostel was and took me out to show me the town and the best whisky joints.  All very friendly.  Talked ever more deeply about politics, national divides, and oil wars as the whisky ran freely.  Said we’d see each other the next day maybe, a promise I had no intention of keeping.
Very different drinking culture out here.  Mostly run on tabs, no measures, very liberal pouring, and of course, tipping.  Most people here have never tried cider.  Strange country.
Stayed at the Green Tortoise Hostel.  Good place. $25 a night, lockers, free breakfast.  Relaxed atmosphere.  Slept in a room with 6 other guys, something I am going to have to get used to.  Bed 2 foot too small but comfortable anyway.