Recovering a Blog Post on Blogspot

In celebration of recovering my post on Tomsk, here are some photos from the street market in Tomsk, which is located right here in Google Maps.

This is really just a PSA on how to quickly recover a blog post on blogger if you accidentally delete a post. I recently lost my post on Tomsk due to a bug in the blogger editor revolving around the undo command, and while I had a backup I was hoping their was an easier way. Thankfully, there is!

1. Take the title of your post.
2. Enter the title in Google.
3. Mouse over the arrow beside the search entry for your post and access the cached version by clicking, "cached" on the right side of the scree.
4. Open up the source code (ctrl+u), and copy your post out of the body of the code.

Voila!

Cherry Blossoms on the Quad

These photos aren't from this year (coming soon!), but while we're waiting for the trees to bloom this year these pictures come from the quad at the University of Washington. These trees are part of the experience studying there and every year they announce the arrival of spring on campus. While most visitors are students or alumni, the grove here does attract some tourists from Japan and beyond.

Seattle Favorite Dick's Drive-In named "Most Life-Changing Burger Joint" in America

Esquire magazine recently named Dick's Drive-In the most life-changing burger joint in America. While I'm shocked at the sheer landslide that it won by (56% of the vote!?), I love this place. If you visit Seattle, the closest one to downtown is up on Broadway and will be there open until 2am, waiting with burger glory. Grabbing a burger and a shake here (as I did just above) is grabbing a delicious part of Seattle history.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival 2012: 100 Years of Cherry Trees in DC

In 1912, exactly 100 years ago, over 3000 cherry trees arrived in Washington DC from Japan to be planted in the capitol. The trees had survived transit over the Pacific to Seattle and then across the country by rail before finding their home in the tidal basin of the Potomac. Some of these tree, and many more added over the years, still stand today and this year's National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the centennial of the first trees being planted.

The celebration takes place between March 20th and April 27, but blossoms have already started the celebration early this year according to the National Park Service. There are a lot of events planned around the blossoms, including bike tours, concerts, and plenty of other events highlighting Japanese culture and the celebration of the cherry blossom season. You'll find more information in the links at the end of the post.

While not everyone can make it to DC, this is also the season to look for cherry trees in your own community. Spring is here and cherry trees are a sure sign that winter is on the way out. Many botanical gardens in cities around the nation have their own cherry tree groves where you can hold your own hanami (Blossom viewing party) just like they do in Japan. In Seattle, we're lucky enough to have a long history of Japanese cultural exchange which means thousands of trees throughout the city, including a grove on the University of Washington campus. If you can't make it, you can always enjoy the view with a virtual visit to DC and beyond:

A Virtual Visit to Cherry Blossoms in DC, 2012
Cherry Blossoms in Osaka
Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
Cherry Blossoms at Himeji Castle
Cherry Blossoms at the University of Washington (The Quad), 2009
Cherry Blossoms at the University of Washington (The Quad), 2012

[via National Cherry Blossom Festival]
[via 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots]

McDonald's Around the World: Breakfast in Kyoto

Awhile back when I was in Japan (which will be the focus of the next couple travel posts), I decided to drop by and try the McHotdog that I saw advertised on the subway. A McHotdog is nothing I would expect to see in the states, so this was perfect to satisfy my curiosity. I waited until we reached Kyoto and since there was a McDonald's on the way to our bed and breakfast, I decided I would swing in and get one.

When I walked up to the counter and tried my best to the little functional Japanese I knew ("McHotdog o kudasai!"), the woman behind the counter started looking a little nervous. After a moment, I figured out what she was trying to tell me: The McHotdog is a breakfast only item. Who knew?

I came back the next day and was successful in my quest to try the creation below. It was actually not that bad, but odd to think that it belongs next to a McMuffin.

Two Portland Coffee Houses

Portland has a great coffee scene, which is undeniable. While I was there recently, I had a change to check out two shops that have been on the edge of trying to get coffee to the next level. Here are two shops that have been making a name for themselves in the coffee scene.

After the break, Public Domain Coffee and Coffeehouse Northwest.


Public Domain Coffee

Public Domain Coffee is located right downtown and the reason I decided to give them a try was to see the Cadillac of espresso machines in action: The Slayer. Built in Seattle, this machine (pictured below) is supposed to be the ultimate espresso machine. It's a serious piece of machinery and two of these cost as much as a Cadillac.

Literally. 

There's a lot of buzz about the machine and with such high expectations, it's almost a given that the experience fell flat. The coffee I had was good, but not great. I also ended up with a 12 ounce latte that diluted the flavor, when an 8 ounce was what I ordered. While Public Domain is good and they take their coffee seriously, it does come with a side of attitude. [Public Domain Coffee]

Coffeehouse Northwest

In contrast, this is my type of place. Coffeehouse Northwest is a small cafe with a great feel to it. The coffee came out just right and with a great, slightly fruity flavor. I'd definitely come back here the next time I'm in town and in the "charmingly questionable stretch of Portland's Champs Élysées"*. [Coffeehouse Northwest]

Top 10 Seattle Coffee Shops

Seattle is known best known for four things: Coffee, Airplanes, the Space Needle, and Software. Generally, it's coffee that people associate with the city. When people ask where I'm from, I usually respond with "Do you know Starbucks?" and they instantly recognize the city unless I'm in Japan, in which case, "Ichiro!" is enough to get instant smiles. While Starbucks is the biggest coffee name in Seattle, it's certainly not the only name and here's my top 5 list of coffee shops in Seattle. You cannot get better coffee than you can at these places and almost all of these places are distinctly Seattle.

1. Espresso Vivace

Vivace is a quintessential Seattle coffee shop. Started in 1988, this is the shop that I remember introducing me to espresso, latte art, and the Seattle coffee house atmosphere. In fact, the hearts and leafs that are ubiquitous on top of all good espresso drinks started at the original Espresso Vivace location (which, sadly, was forced to close when the building was demolished). I remember that location as being this wonderful place, hidden behind a Godfather's Pizza, where high ceilings and exposed brick met the best coffee I have ever had.

Fortunately for you, there are now three locations. The most authentic and original is the sidewalk bar on Broadway, but the location a few blocks north provides a better experience and the location in South Lake Union in the Alley 24 building is also a great cafe. These two locations are new, fresh, and even provide separate spaces for either quiet study or meeting to talk with friends. Espresso Vivace buys and roasts there own beans to ensure quality.

Any espresso drink here will be perfect, although the baristas have a reputation for taking coffee a little too seriously. However, one drink stands out and is unique to Vivace: The Caffe Nico. It's a rich combination of two shots of espresso, steamed half-and-half (not exactly diet friendly), orange, and cinnamon. It's simply fantastic.

2. Trabant

Trabant is another favorite of mine. There are two locations: one located next to the Smith Tower and another in the University district with the former being the one most easily accessible to visitors. The coffee here is top notch and in addition to their standard espresso blend, they also offer up premium single origin micro-plantation coffees that are brewed on a per cup basis.

"Single source micro-whatha?", you ask? It's a Seattle thing, or at least it really started taking off here. Single source coffees are coffee beans that come from just one farmer or small area and are often purchased directly from the farmer at higher than market prices on the basis that quality should be properly compensated. Most beans that you buy in the store are purchased through middle men who mix all the beans together (the good and the bad) and then sell that at bulk prices, which results in coffee tasting like.. well.. bland airplane coffee. Direct trade single origin coffee, in contrast, tastes shockingly different. At Trabant, they have a selection of coffees which promise coffees with "[t]ropical fruit aromas, soft texture and raspberry acidity, with flavours of peaches, vanilla, and dark chocolate" which are brewed to order in their clover machine.

"Clover machine?", you ask? Again, it's a Seattle thing, or at least it started here. A clover machine brews cups of coffee with fresh grounds on a per cup basis. It was created by a Seattle company, which was then bought up by another little known Seattle company, Starbucks. The coffee that comes out of a clover is perfect, every time, and Trabant was an early adopter of the technology.

Besides the single origin coffee selection, they serve up a mean espresso drink, including another one of my favorites: The Mexican Chocolate Mocha. The chocolate used here is imported from Mexico and gives the drink an extra kick of cinnamon. It's well worth a visit, and both locations have great atmosphere (although I prefer the University location for the traffic and mix of customers).

3. Bauhaus

Bauhaus provides another insight into what Seattle used to be like, and today it's still one of the most popular  and most urban cafes we have. Located in the Pike/Pine Corridor heading towards Capitol Hill, this cafe is well worth a visit but not with a car. The parking in the neighborhood is difficult (and expensive) but with the shop so close to downtown and in one of the densest neighborhoods on the west coast, no one complains. You walk, bus, or bike here just like everyone else.

The interior feels like a library and you can feel the age of the building, which adds to the ambiance. Unlike some other cafes which have high design and try to evoke past eras, everything here feels authentic as it if it had always been there from the start. Two sides of the shop are nearly floor to ceiling windows, which gives a connection with the activities outside. Inside, you'll find a combination of younger adults who are new to the Hill and hip regulars who grew up there, usually either talking or working on their laptop. The feel of the coffee shop is half library, half bauhaus coffee shop which is exceedingly appropriate given the name.

The espresso bar offers the standard assortment of espresso drinks served up by talented baristas and a selection of pastries, including foil wrapped ding-dongs for a buck. Again, the coffee you get here will be impeccable.

4. Victrola Coffee

Victrola Coffee has a couple locations, but my favorite is the one on 15th Ave. This area is a small neighborhood "main street", which geared towards locals with a quiet setting and a collection of restaurants and shops that maintain a fairly low profile. Unless you live nearby, odds are you won't come here, except to pass through. Tourists might drive past it on their way to Volunteer park, but otherwise it's not likely to make it on to any must-see list. That said, the neighborhood and this coffee shop in particular deserve more attention. This particular location is billed as a local art house, and there's a chance that you'll see an opening here or perhaps some live music in addition to the art hanging on the wall.

5. Cupcake Royale

The Cupcake Royale is actually one of my favorites and the cafe I frequent most. There are several locations, but in my opinion the West Seattle shop is the best of all. The coffee here is crafted by friendly and excellent baristas, and almost all of the regulars are on first name basis with them. Especially at the West Seattle location, your cup of coffee will come out perfectly every time, but the real reason the Cupcake Royale is so high on this list is actually for the complete package. They offer great cupcakes baked with local ingredients when possible, the music is usually spot on, and at this location there is ample room to sit down with a laptop. Many people use the cafe as a place to study, meet with clients, and of course to socialize. To give you an idea, I have seen architects working on schematics, web developers writing code, among film makers pitching movies to investors among much more. The walls are also adorned with local artists that rotate once a month or two.

The Cupcake Royale earns mention on this list because of how successful they've been in placemaking: In some other places I've been in the world, cafes are seen as a means to change numbers on a spreadsheet. You are expected to drink and leave once you're done, but here in Seattle they seem to start with the premise that if you can create a place where people want to be they'll naturally need coffee (and cupcakes). The cafe becomes a facilitator for social activity and work. Plus, in the case of the Cupcake Royale, the owners have been very proactive in giving back to both the community and their employees. Employer paid health and dental is the standard and they are open to sponsoring non-profits and community events with a dozen or two cupcakes just 'cause. Basically, it's a great place to be, no matter what side of the counter you're on, and the coffee is some of the best here.

6. Top Pot Doughnut

Top Pot Doughnut earns high marks for their coffee, their treats, and the fantastic design of their shops. The star shop in their collection of locations is without a doubt, the downtown location. This is right under the monorail, a couple blocks from Westlake Center, and it's a real gem. The shop is designed with a 1940s sensibility and is housed in a fantastic building. Facing the street, the entire front is two stories of  floor to ceiling glass. On entering, to your left and right both walls are floor to ceiling bookshelves and in front is the espresso and doughnut bar.

The doughnuts are high-quality traditional doughnuts with virtually all of the classics. They phased out my favorite, chocolate peanut, awhile ago due to allergy concerns, but a chocolate-cake maple doughnut is just as good. Coffee is served up in standard Seattle style, with the addition of a malt mocha on the menu.

7. Caffe Fiore

Caffe Fiore is a relatively new, but their coffee is top notch and their coffee houses are high design with a little bit of an 1930s vibe to them. In some cases, the choice of decor has echos of art nouveau and even a hint of steam punk. The West Seattle store is the newest and it's a two level coffee shop loft, which has started to attract a following.

8. Milstead & Co.

Milstead & Co. is brand new and really made an impression when I discovered them a month or two after they opened. They're located in Fremont, which is (was?) known for being a little bit eccentric and the coffee shop itself is easy to miss. There are no big banners or advertisements. People come here for the coffee by word of mouth.

9. Stumptown

So, Stumptown isn't actually from Seattle. They're from Portland, Oregon, which in itself today reminds me of Seattle in the early 1990s. All the cool kids love Portland these days, but despite regional rivalry Stumptown is a great cup of coffee and since their roaster for the Seattle area is located on 12th and Madison, I feel like they deserve a mention.

Stumptown has become a popular roaster in the region, and their big thing is that not only do they sell beans, but they provide strong support for getting the most out of those beans. They provide barista training at the 12th and Madison location to make sure that their shots come out perfect on any type of espresso machine (business customers only, sorry) and if you drop by at 3pm, they have coffee cuppings that are open to the public for free. You can geek out and learn to appreciate the differences in flavors that come from different coffee growing regions along with the locals.

10. Pegasus Coffee

Pegasus coffee is another great small shop. There are two stores downtown which are good, but they are geared towards the office lunch/rush crowd which means that while the coffee is still good the cafes don't have the charm, so, to really get the best experience you need to take "the boat" to Bainbridge Island and visit the original shop. Here the shop is tucked in an old ivy covered brick building and has been serving coffee since 1980, making it one of the longest running shops on this list.

Honorable Mentions:
1. Uptown Espresso

Uptown Espresso is another classic Seattle coffee shop that I couldn't resist adding. They deserve a spot here due to their history and contribution to Seattle style coffee, which is what they refer to as "The Velvet Foam" which is what makes latte art possible. Much of the work perfecting "Velvet Foam", or microfoam as it's more commonly referred to as, was done in the 1980s here at Uptown Espresso.

2. Cafe Vita

3. Zoka Coffee

Zoka Coffee is another Seattle roaster/coffee shop that serves up a great cup of coffee in an attractive setting. The University location draws students looking for a place to study.

When Things Go Wrong on the Road: 8 Ways to Deal with Travel Nightmares

Getting from one place to another isn't always easy. Whether it's a flight tire on your way to work or a missed flight at the airport, being able to gracefully recover from an unexpected problem is the sign of an expert traveler. As always, part of it is being prepared and another part is how you approach the problem at hand. This is a short guide to getting back on track based on the times when things have gone wrong (or almost wrong) over my travels.

1. Have Backup Plan

Having a "Plan B" is always a good idea and should be part of researching your destination. Answers to questions like, "When is the next boat if I miss that one?" or "What do we do if one of us misses the train?" well before you ever get there. From small bumps like a museum being closed for repair to big bumps like your flight being cancelled by Icelandic volcanic ash, having alternatives already part of your travel plan will help you transition to a new plan if your original doesn't work out.

One of the most important backup plans you can have when traveling with friends is what happens if you get separated. Having a plan about where to meet up and under what circumstances you will automatically go back to that meeting place can turn hours of searching and worry into a short break from sightseeing. A general rule of thumb is that if you have been separated for more than 20-30 minutes, everyone  should head back to your back up meeting point. The entrance to the building, the ticket booth where you bought tickets, or a cafe next to a well known landmark are top picks. Good meeting places should be specific, located near major landmarks (or marked on a map), and be comfortable to wait at.

If you're flying, you can dramatically improve your odds of getting to where you need to be if you can suggest alternative routes that will work for you instead of relying on them to find what they think is best for you. Having a backup plan for your purchased flight can also make it easier to accept voluntary bumps from flights, which can net you free flights if your schedule is flexible.

2. Keep a Backup of Your Vital Documents

While there generally isn't a reason to be paranoid about theft, losing or having your documents stolen can be disastrous. It's a worst case scenario, but even here there are a couple of things that you can do. Keeping copies of your important documents, including visas, in a secondary place is generally recommended and still good advice. In addition, it's a great idea to keep scanned copies of your documents online via a service such as DropBox or Gmail. Another option is a very inexpensive USB drive or MicroSD card that weighs nothing and can be kept in a jacket pocket.

Your backup should include copies of your passport, visas, emergency contact information, copies of any credit cards you're carrying (plus customer service numbers for each card), and all confirmations for hotels, flights, and other tickets. If you have extra time, it also doesn't hurt to have a copy of the serial numbers for the devices you are taking on the trip, especially for expensive items. For an extra layer of security, be sure to encrypt your files with a program like TrueCrypt (voted best by Lifehacker readers), so that only you can access them. By having an extra copy, you can limit the damage that's been done and ensure that you have the information you need to continue on your journey.

If you're from the United States, another great option that adds security while travelling is the new passport card. While the card is only valid for international travel by land or sea between the US and Canada or Mexico, the card itself is proof of citizenship which will help expedite problems related to lost passports or other documents. Your passport is the strongest proof of who you are and the new passport cards are legally equivalent to the standard passport in this regard.

3. Better Describe Your Situation & Desired Outcome to Get the Best Help.

In some situations, especially at the airport, being able to describe your situation accurately can help you get to where you need to be. The first part is being able to accurately describe what happened and why you deserve help. If you approach an agent at the gate and state, "I missed my flight and I need you to get me home", you are not likely to get the help you need. In contrast, if you said, "I was involuntarily denied boarding on my flight because of an equipment change and need help getting to San Francisco", you're much more likely to get there. You have told the gate exactly why you need help, what happened to get you in that position, and what your aim is. It also makes clear that the reason you need help is because of their operations, and not because of something that you did.

The second part is creating an opportunity for them to help you. As mentioned, having a backup plan is important. In this example, a great follow up would be to ask, "Are there any seats available on the 7pm flight on United or the 8pm on Delta to SFO?" This gives them a clear path to giving you what you want and will become the first options that they will pursue.

By clearing giving the person you're talking with a concise reason for why you need help and a reasonable request that they can actually accomplish, you open the door for getting what you need to solve your problem.

A few key phrases to know at the airport:
IRROP (or OSO on American Airlines): Short for "Irregular Operations". This is the term used to describe delays or cancellations due to some sort of issue. When there is an IRROP because of something the airline had control over, you generally are entitled to some sort of compensation, meal voucher, or even a hotel if you have to stay over night. However, you are generally not entitled to compensation if it's weather related or another cause outside of the airline's control.

IDB: Involuntarily Denied Boarding. When you get bumped from a flight against your will. You are entitled to cash compensation and agents will generally do whatever they can to accommodate you.
VDB: Voluntarily Denied Boarding. When you get bumped from a flight after volunteering to be put on a later flight. You will receive some sort of compensation and agents are more willing to help you.
Gate agent: Airline representatives employed to manage the boarding procedure and interact with passengers at the actual gate of departure.
Equipment Change: When an airline changes the type of plane to be used for a flight. Sometimes an equipment change will result in a smaller plan being used, which can result in more passengers than seats for the flight. These changes can cause IDBs or delays.
Misconnect: A misconnect is caused by a plane arriving late, making your connection to another flight impossible.
Trip in vain: A "trip in vain" refers to a situation where catching your next flight is guaranteed to cause a misconnect at your next stop. If you end up in this situation and there's another way to get to your final destination from where you currently are, gate agents can sometimes change your routing to get you there. This also sometimes applies when the delay would cause you to miss a meeting or event that you were traveling to.
Rule 240: [CAUTION] Prior to deregulation, Rule 240 was a federal rule that ordered airlines to get your to your destination when there is an IRROP situation. Some online sources will tell you to be pushy and demand that they honor this rule, but it no longer exists as a mandatory federal law. Instead, each carrier may have a Rule 240 in their Contract of Carriage which outlines how far the airline will go to rebook you. Mentioning it does not give you a carte blanche to make demands, but it may encourage the agent look more alternatives.

4. Ask for Your Pictures Back (Ahead of Time) / Uglify Your Stuff to Deter Theft

Aside from your wallet and passport, the next more irreplaceable thing that can be stolen from you are your photos. You can replace your camera, but the photos on it cannot be recaptured which makes them one of the worst things you can lose. Aside from constantly backing up your photos and periodically swapping your memory cards, Andrew McDonald has a great suggestion: Include a pictorial plea for the thief to return your camera (or at least your memory card). While it's not guaranteed to work, the memory card is the least valuable piece of the camera and just because someone is a thief doesn't mean they are immune to sympathy.

If you really want to avoid having your stolen, a popular and effective route is to uglify your camera (and other gadgets). Adding tape and taking a black marker to eye catching logos can take a beautiful and functional camera that could fetch $100 on the black market to an ugly camera not worth $10, but still equally as functional to you. People have been using this technique successfully on things from cameras to bikes to help keep their property safe.

5. Avoid Scams by Researching Your Destination

Scammers rely on ignorance to get you to to fall for their ploy. In some cases, it might be that you simply end up paying $5 instead of $1, while in other cases it can mean hundreds of dollars out the door. Before you travel, you should inoculate yourself against the local scams by researching your destination on line. A great start to raise your awareness can be found here on WikiTravel.

As general advice:

• Be mindful of pickpockets in crowded areas. Zippers aren't enough to prevent pickpockets.
• Anything left unattended for even a moment risks being stolen, just like anywhere. 
• Hotel safes aren't always safe (some staff members have master keys/codes). 
• It's OK to lie to strangers. They don't need to know what hotel you're staying at.
• Free is rarely actually free. 
• Don't flaunt anything.

Outside of the easy to spot scams, another place to be especially careful is when you are dealing with money. Always count your change when you receive it, especially when breaking large bills, and always keep an eye out for odd bills: Counterfeit bills are out there. If the size, texture, or security features aren't right ask for a replacement bill. They will generally feel dramatically different from the regular bills, either too glossy or too rough.

How cautious should you be? In my travels, I've encountered a handful of would be scammers and even fallen for one during one of my earlier travels (€20 for a 7 mile taxi ride in Italy late at night). They are out there, but they tend to be the same scams over and over. If you know what to look out for, you can usually avoid becoming their next victim.

6. Know Where to Call for Help

There will always be situations that go beyond our ability to cope. If you are the victim of a crime, just like when you're at home, you need to know who to contact and who you can rely on to get help. 911 is not universal and if you look up one number before you go, it should be what the local emergency number is for where you will be. 112 often used as the local emergency number outside of the US, but not everywhere.

Another contact you should have is where your local consulate or embassy is. Consulates can help you if you get into real trouble and are the people to turn to if you lose your passport, help you if you run into trouble with law enforcement, or help you get in contact with your family back home in an emergency. To find contact information for the nearest embassy, first go to to the US Embassy website, then click on where you will be headed, and then click on "Contact" in the upper right hand corner of the screen. For an overview of the embassy can, and can't, do for you while abroad, please check out this website from the U.S. Department of State. You will be expected to clean up after yourself (especially for cost), but in a true critical situation they are there to help.

Involving local law enforcement or the embassy is a time consuming process and in some cases, it simply may not be worth it. In the case of petty crime where you are unhurt and none of your personal information/financial information is at risk, you may be better off writing off the jacket or camera than going in and going through all the hoops just to have a record of your loss. However, if you plan on filing an insurance claim from travel or medical insurance, you will need to file a police report and get a copy.

7. If Something is Stolen, Lock Down Your Finances ASAP

If something does happen and your wallet or purse is stolen, the biggest thing you can do to prevent a headache is to immediately call your credit card companies and lock the thieves out of our finances. For credit cards, you will not be liable for charges that the thieves place on it if you promptly report it stolen and there is less of a risk that they will be able to do any lasting damage. This is part of the reason that it is critical to have a backup of the information from the cards in your document backup! You can also leave that information with a trusted family member or friend in a sealed envelope for use in case of emergency. Sometimes it's easier to contact customer service if you're in the same general time zone, and it's much less expensive if you have to pay for an international call instead.

8. Keep Calm...

The absolute most important thing you can do when a problem hits is keep calm. Something has gone wrong and nothing says that the situation doesn't warrant urgency, but in most cases you and your friends are safe and the problem itself can be fixed. Realizing these basic facts and reframing the situation as a temporary challenge is key to keeping your fear in check.

There are two big reasons for remaining calm:

First, if you panic you will not be able to think the problem through and find the best solution. Fear often causes us to take the first option presented in the name of "taking control" of the situation, but there are usually better options a few questions away. For example, in Athens I was on my way to the main international airport, but I suddenly found that the trains weren't running because of a strike that had just been called that morning. I didn't have a backup plan and time was running short. The immediate option was to take a taxi for €35, but a few minutes later after talking with a station manager I found out that there was an express bus nearby for a fraction of the cost that might even end up being faster given that taxis were in such demand due to the strike.

Second, when something goes wrong, you need help from other people and you have a better chance of getting that help if you are calm, polite, and firm. If you're upset or start making demands, there is a chance that you will alienate the person who holds the keys to getting out of the situation. We've all seen people at the airport, stomping their feet and demanding that they be taken care of now and often those are the people that are sent to the back of the line. On the other hand, being courteous when you're in a pinch is often rewarded with jumping the line and talking with someone who actually wants to help you.

9. ...and Carry On

Remaining calm is a key part to getting through the issue, but it's equally important to develop the capacity to limit the impact that a mistake has on your travels. Don't let a problem ruin your vacation and this is doubly true when the problem wasn't your fault. If you are traveling with friends or a partner, it's absolutely vital to forgive them if they make a mistake. If you make a mistake, you also need to forgive yourself. Everyone runs into problems, but once they do happen the best thing you can do is move forward and explore what the new plan entails. Time spent on the road angry is very expensive wasted time.

Walking Downtown Bainbridge Island (and Taking a Look at Their New Complete Street)

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the ferry to Bainbridge Island, which is of the best mini-day trips that you can do from Seattle without a car. While I covered the trip itself, I didn't talk about what to expect on the other side. I'm going to correct that right now. Bainbridge Island’s downtown is an easy visit and verywalkable. Virtually all of the restaurants and shops are within 15 minutes from the ferry at a casual pace and if you take your time to browse all of the shopsand have lunch, Bainbridge Island will give you a solid afternoon retreat fromSeattle. It's a great place to explore yourself, but in this post I'll share a few of my favorite places downtown.

The ferry itself can carry cars, but bringing a car along doesn't add anything unless you intend to continue on to the Olympic Penninsula. Instead, just walk to the ferry terminal and then on to the boat. It's $7.50 for an adult and $6.05 for kids 6-18, but you only pay westbound. The return trip from Bainbridge Island is free on foot (although if you drive, you pay to come back as well). Once you're off the boat, there are two options to get downtown, the first is along the main street and the second is a more scenic route that goes by the water. When you're walking up towards Winslow Way, look for the waterfront trail sign if you'd like to take the scenic path.

There are a couple of spots that stand out and are personal favorites here, as well as a place or two that I decided to try this time. I took the opportunity to try Hitchcock’s Delicatessen, which opened adjacent to their established dinner restaurant in the final months of 2011 and Mora Iced Creamery, which has been offering flavors influenced by the tastes of the Argentinian owners since 2006. In addition, I also visited three of my favorite local spots: Blackbird Bakery, Pegasus Coffee, and the Harbor Public House. Stay tuned and after the break we'll take a photo tour of the area.

Plus, at the very end, we'll even talk a little planner shop about the new "complete street" improvements that were recently completed on Winslow Way to make it more pedestrian friendly (If you're feeling impatient, you can jump to that discussion by clicking here).

1. Blackbird Bakery
[Google Maps]
When you're walking down Winslow Way on the right side, you’ll eventually meet up with Blackbird Bakery. It’s a small bakery on the corner and a focal point for activity downtown. The coffee is good and their cookies, including one shaped and decorated like a ferry is always a hit with the kids. The shop itself is located on the sunny northern side of the street, which means that sitting here is a great way to warm up in the winter sun (like today) or for enjoying the summer light.

The ferry cookies are the most popular, naturally.

2. Mora Iced Creamery
[Google Maps]
Behind Blackbird is Mora Iced Creamery. In Spanish, Mora means “Blackberry” which is one of the signature flavors that the owners Ana Orselli and Jerry Perez offer. Along with Marsala wine and egg custard “Sabayon”, Maraschino cherry cream, and “Buenos Aires”, which is Dulce de Leche on more Dulce de Leche, this is a great shop with plenty of seasonal variety and a long list of options. Their flavor selection is pretty massive and samples are free… after you've ordered what size you want (a small quirk in their approach). Their sorbets are also a great alternative for those looking for a lighter option (pineapple was my personal favorite). If you’re just walking along the street, you might miss this but in the summer this is sure to be a great stop.

Pistachio with Mexican Chocolate hidden beneath it

3. Eagle Harbor Book Company
[Google Maps]
Returning to the main street and crossing to the other side, Eagle Harbor Book Company is a landmark for the downtown area. The store has been here for over four decades and still offers a great selection of books to the community. It’s a quintessential local bookstore and well worth a visit. They even have an online eBook store via Google Books as an alternative to Amazon. While you’re walking through, be sure to stop in and take a look around here.

4. Hitchcock Delicatessen
[Google Maps]
A half-block down from the book store is the new Hitchcock Delicatessen that just opened a few months back. Almost every part of every item on the menu is done in-house, from the mayonnaise to the bacon and roast beef. Next door is the main restaurant, which opens at 5pm, but the delicatessen offers sandwiches and local products by the pound all day. When we were there, we tried the macaroons and the roast beef sandwich, along with a macchiato. The sandwich was good and the macaroons had the right consistency with good flavors overall (although the rose macaroon was a bit too strong). I’m looking forward to trying some of their other sandwiches and will definitely keep this on my list for the next time I'm here.

5. Pegasus Coffee
[Google Maps]
After taking a left at Cafe Nola at the end of the block and walking all the way to the waterfront, you'll end up right by the marina and by some of the best coffee on the island. Pegasus Coffee has been around for nearly three decades and serves up excellent coffee. The building has a lot of charm with Virginia creeper covered brick sides and large storefront windows, plus an outdoor patio for warmer months. Beyond just coffee, Pegasus offers their own tea blends, a selection of local beer and wine, and local baked goods.

6. Harbour Public House 

[Google Maps]
A couple of doors down and right along the water there is the island's best pub: The Harbour Public House. This is a place that serves up some delicious pub fare made with local ingredients and features an expansive selection of local beers on tap, including two cask conditioned beers at any time. They serve up their beer in "honest" pint glasses that are measured in imperial pints, and not the standard US pint. The result? Nearly 20% more beer per pint. During the summer months, their balcony and the water views are great for a evening with friends. It's also far enough out of the way that it attracts primarily locals looking for a drink as opposed to tourists. Highlights on the menu in my opinion include their fish & chip, the Sunday roast, and  any of their burgers. The best thing though is that this is a welcoming environment and a place where you can relax before walking to catch the boat back to Seattle. 

Those are my favorite spots and I'm sure that if you visit, you'll love them too!


Complete Streets in Bainbridge Island
As mentioned, I'd also like to take a moment to talk about the new Winslow Way redesign. My background  is in urban planning and this is the sort of stuff that interests me when I'm traveling (even when it's in my own local community). The city has done a major reinvestment in the main street that runs through downtown, and while a lot of the improvements can't be seen (such as sewer and water mains), there's a lot to like about the new street now that it's done.

The aim with the redesign was to move from a traditional suburban street to what's referred to as a "complete street". The core value of the complete street concept is that streets are for everyone, including pedestrians, bikes, and (of course) cars. Creating a street that works, is inviting for all users, and improving it as a raw piece of infrastructure is what this redesign was all about (although that goal can sometimes be much more controversial than you would imagine). In the picture above, we have a couple of features that show off the general approach.

The first is the the planter boxes ("rain gardens"), which are not there for show. These function as storm water facilities that use the plants and soil to naturally slow and filter runoff. This reduces the overall load on the sewer system and cleans the water without having to process it. As an added bonus, once the plants start to thrive and are established these will be a low maintenance and visually appealing part of the street that helps separate traffic from the areas for pedestrians. This helps create a safe place for people of all ages to walk in their own neighborhood.

The tree in the street seen above is part of this system as well, even though it looks like it's surrounded by pavement. The pavement is porous, so water is able to soak through it and enter the soil beneath the street instead of turning into a river along the edge of the street. In the past, streets made with traditional concrete creates strong streams of runoff which can overwhelm the sewer system. When this happens, that water can end up flooding some unlucky property owner instead of ending up where it's supposed to be. Porous concrete helps avoid this and as a bonus, this tree will eventually provide shade to parked cars and add more greenery to the street overall.

You can also see the new bike racks in the picture that are part of the amenities on the street. There are places to sit and relax along the entire street and the sidewalk is wider through all of downtown. There are also bulb-outs at key crossings which extends the sidewalk out into the street slightly. This reduces the distance that a pedestrian has to walk to cross the street and reduces the amount of time they spend in traffic. Overall, it adds up to a safer place to walk and a better place to visit. By doing the whole street at once, it also introduces a consistent "language" of objects in the downtown area, which gives a sense of continuity as you walk.

The Old Winslow Way in 2010. Picture courtesy of camknows.

The New Winslow Way in 2012

These two pictures above show typical before and after environments for the actual walking space. We can clearly see that parked cars are a good three feet farther away from the actual sidewalk and that there's more room in general to walk. This gives the area a feeling of safety because moving vehicles never come close enough to you as a pedestrian to draw your attention to the car as a potential threat. Cars parking before could come within a foot of someone normally walking on the street, which puts that person on alert when it draws near.

Quite clearly, there's also no space for bikes in the old street. Adding bike racks involved impeding pedestrian traffic in most cases or parking farther away. We can also clearly see that there isn't a lot there that's meant to handle run-off and storm water. In the old Winslow Way, any oil or grim on the street would get whisked away directly into a drain and then out into the harbor. Now those pollutants get filtered through the root system of the plants in the rain gardens.

Overall, I think this is an excellent project, although there were a few bumps in the road (figuratively). The redevelopment was not universally popular with everyone on the island and there were some conflicts surrounding the need to keep downtown alive and active during construction. From my perspective, the biggest thing that I would change is the orientation of the angled parking. Angled parking makes sense for the street, in terms of creating more spaces and because it's historically always been that way, but back-in angled parking (as opposed to head-in which it is now) is actually safer overall because there is better visibility when pulling out into traffic. There are on average less collisions and injuries with that style of angled parking. Back-in angled parking requires a relatively low traffic volume and a bit more finesse on the driver's part, but my gut instinct is that it could have worked here. There may well be good reasons that this idea wasn't adopted, but overall this is a street that will serve Bainbridge Island well for the decades to come.

If you'd like more information on this project and the complete streets concept, please keep reading over on CompleteStreets.org and specifically about this project over at SvR Design.

Portland Restaurant Roundup: 4 Fantastic Places to Eat In and Around PDX

Portland is a great town and there are some spectacular restaurants in the city. On my last trip down there, I had a chance to hit 4 fantastic restaurants/cafes in a little less than three days and I'm going to share them with you here.

1. Broder

Broder is a pan-Scandinavian cafe on the east side of the river which has been on my list of places to visit for awhile. This time around, I ended up over there for breakfast and was thrilled to find that this is more than just a cafe that serves cinnamon buns with a little extra cardamon. Literally everything on the menu looked fantastic and authentic. My particular dish, above, is the Pytt i Panna which is a classic breakfast dish: Potato, onion, and beef fried up with egg and beets on top. Usually, I like my savory breakfasts with a little Tabasco for flavor, but in this case it would have spoiled this perfect piece of Scandinavia. The cafe is small and popular, but fortunately they've worked out a deal with the bar next door to provide a waiting area with serve yourself coffee.  [Broder]

2. Nuvrei

Nuvrei also made a good impression, with fresh and flaky croissants, a generous croque monsieur, and flavorful macaroons. The shop is located in the Pearl District, a short walk from downtown, and exudes high quality. Their pastry case is full of tempting pastries and is well worth a visit. Pictured above is a pretzel sesame seed croissant, along with a pistachio and orange macaroon. [Nuvrei]

3. Adina

What is "neoperuvian" cuisine? In a word, delicious. In more words, deliciously unexpected. We originally came in for a happy hour snack, but after seeing the menu ended up with a full tapas-style dinner. Pictured above, we have the anticucho de pollo (Chicken kebab), pimiento piquillo relleno (sweet ham and cheese stuffed peppers), tabule de quinua (quinoa based salad with avacado, olives, and cotija cheese), and the de batarraga (beet salad). The happy hour is actually a good deal for drinks, which includes South American classics such as the ever famous caipirinha and newer takes such as the Melone con Aji, which is a melon, gin, and pepper infused drink. Their dessert menu is also quite amazing, with this Peruvian take on Tiramisu being our choice. (...And for guests who need to abstain from gluten, there's also a sizable and delicious gluten-free menu to choose from.) [Adina]

4. Red Hills Market (Dundee, OR)

Out trip down to Portland included a swing through the wine country of Willamette Valley and there we came across this fantastic option for a lunch between wine tastings. Red Hills Market is located in Dundee, Oregon near about a dozen plus wineries. It offers up very fresh and very delicious sandwiches and brick oven pizzas. It's a great place to stop and likely the best deal in the area for what you get, plus the cafe has a light and welcoming design. [Red Hills Market]