Tag Archives: travel

Pike Place Public Market


When in Seattle, it is a must to check out Pike Place Public Market. This large open farmer’s market is like no other.

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On the far left side at Pike Place Fish Co., check out the flying fish thrown at high speed by the guys transferring fish from counter to the slicers.

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In front of Pike Place Place Fish Co. is Rachel the piggy bank donated by Fratelli’s Ice Cream in 1986. Feel free to feed the pig.

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As you move along the market, you will come across the large, beautiful flower shop. Be sure to stop and smell the roses.

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Once you reach the end of the flower market, don’t think it’s the end. Keep walking along Pike Place and start your foodie adventure at Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. One block further, stop by Piroshky, Piroshky and the original Starbucks for more eats.

(Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese

Known to the world as one of Oprah’s favorite things, the “world’s best” mac and cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese lives up to its hype. The intense depth of flavor comes from aging the cheese for 18 months. On display at the window, you can witness the cheese making process. Be sure to sample the cheese ranging from the curd to the aged cheese. On your way out, grab a bowl of the mac and cheese or order it online to enjoy when you like.

(1600 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101)

Piroshky, Piroshky


I didn’t learn of pirozhkies until this trip to Seattle. They are Russian baked buns with a meat or vegetable filing. They remind me of Spanish empanadas. You can find Piroshky, Piroshky a few stores down from the original Starbucks. Be sure to stop by and grab a mid-day snack. You won’t regret it. 

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There will be small line but it moves quickly. They offer sweet, meat or vegetable pirozhkies. I went twice, and each time, I got a savory pirozhki.

The salmon pate is adorably shaped like a fish. The bread was amazing. Its sweetness balanced the smoked salmon and cream cheese filling.

The beef and onion reminded me of Porto’s potato balls but with a flaky crust.

(Pike Place Market, 1908 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101)

The Original Starbucks


You may see Starbucks on nearly every corner around the world but if you didn’t already know, it all started in Seattle. Located at Pikes Place Market, you won’t won’t easily bypass this place considering there is always a long line to enter the original Starbucks.

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If you find the wait too long to order a drink, don’t worry. You can easily go to the next Starbucks, since it won’t be the only Starbucks you see in Seattle. There is nearly one on every corner.

(Pike Place Market, 1912 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101)

Ivar’s Seafood Bar

Posted in Seattle by

Growing up in the Bay Area, my standard of good clam chowder was what they sold at San Francisco’s infamous Fisherman’s Wharf. Boy, did I not know what good clam chowder was until I tried Ivar’s. The creamy, savory clam chowder with its bursting clam flavor and unexpected bacon makes it the best clam chowder I’ve ever had.

The smoked scallops won’t disappoint either. The scallops have a wonderful smoky flavor that balances out the sweet cracker that it’s served on.image

If you aren’t overwhelmed yet by the clams from the clam chowder, order the clam entree. Cooked in white wine sauce, it’s so good that you’ll slurp every last drop. My family kept fighting over this dish that we had to order two to keep the peace.

Fremont Troll


Seattle loves art. So much that the government will fund a good portion of it. On just about every corner you can find some sort of statue or art display. The Fremont Troll was the winning design to the Fremont Arts Council’s plan of rehabilitating the area under the bridge, which was becoming a dump. The troll is holding a real Volkswagen Beetle, while its one eye is a hubcap. When you visit the infamous troll, feel free to climb on the troll. 

(3405 Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103)

Centro Historico

Posted in Guadalajara by

In the heart of Guadalajra, lies its history. With buildings lying along the axis of a cross, with the Cathedral of Guadalajara in the center, here in Centro Historico (Historical Center) you will find:

Plaza de Armas has an ironwork gazebo made from Paris.

This faces the Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace). The clock will always remain at this time due to a stray bullet aimed at the president, who was visiting at the time. The bullet hole is still visible and lodged in the workings of clock.

On the east side of the Cathedral is the Plaza de Liberacion, where protest demonstrations are held. Teatro Degollado faces this plaza. It is the oldest surviving theater that still holds performances.

Behind the theater is the Fuente de los Fundadores (Fountain of Founders). This is the exact spot where the city was founded by Cristobal de Onate.

If you continue walking from the fountain along Plaza Tapatia, you will come upon Hospicio Cabana. This was founded as an orphange and homeless shelter in 1810. Now it is a museum.

Walk towards Calle Dionsio Rodriguez and look for vendors selling leather goods. Squeeze in between the shops and you will discover Mercado Libertad, known as Mercado de San Juan de Dios to locals. Here you can shop for jewelry, leather goods, candy, and fake name brand items. I was in awe at this place because you generally only find this in Asia. 

Torta Ahogada

Torta ahogada is a drowned sandwich, which is a typical dish of Guadalajara. The birote bread has a crunchy crust, which allows it to withstand the sauce, and a soft interior. This regional bread is filled with fried, chopped pork and then submerged in a chili pepper tomato sauce. Top it with raw onions and cabbage and enjoy! Tip: It’s messy so have napkins handy!

Tejunio

Tejunio is a popular drink from Jalisco’s neighboring state, Colima. It is made out of corn dough mixed with water and piloncillo (cone shaped unrefined brown sugar). It is boiled until thick and then fermented. It is served cold with lime juice, sprinkle of salt, and a scoop of shaved ice. You can find this concoction sold by street vendors. I bought mine in front of Instituto Cultural Cabañas.

Catedral de Guadalajara

Posted in Guadalajara by

This Roman Catholic cathedral is the cathedral of Archdiocese of Guadalajara. Built in 1541, the initial structure was an adobe with a thatched roof. It has gone through many changes due to fire and earthquakes to become the current minor basilica in the Renaissance style with neo-gothic towers.

The exquisite alter, made out of marble and silver, is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. 

This cathedral also houses the remains of St. Innocent. Inocencia was a little girl who had lost her mother at a young age and found faith in the Catholic religion. However, her father was against it and told her to never step foot in the church. With the help of the church, she got baptized. Overcome with joy, she ran home to her father to share the good news. In anger, he stabbed a knife through her chest. She was transferred to the cathedral as a silent witness of the Eucharist.

(Av Alcalde 10, Zona Centro, 44100 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico)