Today we would start our Intrepid tour of the Canadian Rockies, although the first night of this was to be spent in a hostel in Seattle. We got our bags together and left a few items with Kirsten and Danny, a huge thanks to them for letting us do this! We took the number 7 bus into the International District and checked into Hostelling International at The American Hotel. We weren’t expecting to be going into separate sex dorms for the night as this wasn’t set out in our Intrepid itinerary, they lost points before we even began! So separate dorms it was and after a while we met a few others who were joining us on the trip.

Marie was first to join Helen in her 4 dorm and so the 3 of us went out to a local Chinese night market right outside the hostel. There was quite a bit going on for a small market place with live art performances, gifts, crafts and food along with a Capoeira group who did a really fun and vibrant performance, they really got the crowd going! We followed our Seattle cultural experience by eating at a very authentic Chinese restaurant just around the corner from where the night market took place. This really took us back to China, the place was full of Chinese people and the atmosphere and food really felt authentic.

When we got back Helen’s dorm was full and we met her fellow room mates Rhiannon and Marian who along with Marie would be joining us for our trip to Canada.

(Leica M9, Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0, Leica 90mm f/2.8, Zeiss 18mm f/4 ZM processed in Lightroom 3)