Wow- it’s been a crazy couple of days. Saturday I woke up at 4:00 AM ohio time to get to the airport where of course I set off the metal detector with my wrist brace because I forgot to take it off. I was wanded and patted down and then my hands were tested for explosives. Both of my flights were uneventful and my luggage didn’t even get lost! I heard a kid on one of the planes say “this is the best day of my life!” Hilarious.
When I landed, the prison bus came to get me. What a sight. We get lots of attention driving around Seattle in it. After waiting several hours for more people to land at the airport, we went to our directors house for a barbeque. Then we made our way to the campus we’re staying at, moved in, and after over twenty hours of being awake, went to sleep.
The next day, we went to an inner city church and had lunch there. It was pretty interesting. Later in the afternoon, we played tourist and went on the Underground Tour of Seattle. The city was originally built on a tide flat or swamp. When the tide came in the sewage came up out of the ground which of course was a problem. Eventually the city burnt down and less than two weeks later they were rebuilding right on top of the old city. This left “underground” spaces where the first floors of buildings used to be. So we weren’t really underground just under the city. It was neat. Our tour guide was hilarious. I wanted to take him home.
After the tour we went to a vietnamese restaurant and ate soup with a fork. Some people used chopsticks but my skills are lacking in that department.
Monday we went on an inner city scavenger hunt. But it wasn’t a normal scavenger hunt. We had to talk to homeless people, dive in dumpsters, ask people to borrow money, find out where we could sleep for the night or get free medical care. One group found a perfectly usable stroller in a dumpster and wheeled it around for the remainder of the day. I wanted a ride in it but I don’t think my but will fit. And even though it was only 70 degrees out I got some major sunburn. They say that Seattle has the highest rate of sunglasses sales and with the weather we’ve had until today, I believe it. No one expects it to be so sunny.
After our adventures in the city, we came back to the campus for a much needed nap. We then went back to the church we were at on Sunday for a Youth Violence Prevention Network meeting. Then we bought icecream.
Today is yucky out. Typical Seattle weather I suppose.
I’m having tons of fun. Yesterday I laughed so hard I cried. It’s not all fun and games though. We training for our inner city work and spending a lot of time discussing and analyzing homelessness and poverty. Thursday and Friday we’re painting a hot pink house that a church purchased to house homeless people in. I can’t believe they want to cover the hot pink. If anything we should make it brighter!
I’m going to do my best to upload some pictures. But no promises. The city is beautiful. And surprisingly hilly. I’m not sure how the bus makes it up some of them. Pray for our safety and some abundant energy. I’m exhausted.
