Offline: Deer Friends

Been visited Seattle this week! It took a couple of tries, but we managed to meet up today in downtown. This was his first time in Seattle, and our first time meeting up in person, so we tried to make it chill and easygoing. While I’ve been making strides in my recovery, I was still nervous about being out for so long (and I wanted to travel light so I didn’t bring a backpack). I’m happy to say I walked 13k steps today with no dizziness or feeling faint!!! But I was very sweaty as usual!!

When I got to downtown, I was really shocked by all the changes. The Westlake Mall, for one, has changed so drastically I could hardly believe it. I’ll be honest, I don’t like how it is now… somehow they managed to turn a once-bustling mall and hub to another ghost mall (at least while I was there.) The whole top floor is taken up by one department store and the food court (now on the second) feels so cramped together and dark. It’s really weird. And the Starbucks in front is gone! All my old haunts… At least there’s now a UNIQLO across the street, I guess. I had time to kill so I ended up browsing and bought a linen top I couldn’t pass up.

Uniqlo mannequins
After UNIQLO I met up with Been at Nana’s Green Tea. One thing I noticed right away was that you used to be able to have plated food outside, but now it’s to-go style only. I wonder if it would be different if they had an enclosed patio instead of being so open…? I was a little bummed I couldn’t have the nice tall parfait, but it was still just as delicious! The employee who took our order complimented my outfit, which made me feel sooooo nice since I switched out all my winter clothes for my spring/summer ones. I’m more self-conscious in them (I prefer hiding in my clothes), so it boosted my confidence so much. ;-;
green tea parfaits

I got the matcha mochi parfait and chicken curry katsu (not pictured because it looked kind of sad lol!) and been got the hojicha warabimochi parfait!

Once we finished up our lunch, we headed back to the mall to ride the monorail. I know it’s just one stop and it’s not like crazy impressive compared to other cities’ public transportation, but I love showing people our monorail. And the weather was so nice! Going through the EMP is always one of my favorite parts, even though it’s so short.

The Monorail Man

I honestly do not remember the Monorail Man. Was he always there? He’s cute either way!!

There was a vending machine next to him full of Monorail merch and I, a sucker for my city, really wanted to buy the Monorail enamel pin. Been was like “no don’t buy it! It literally says it’s $4.50 whited out but they’re selling it for $8!!” and sure enough, he was right. But listen!! I see an enamel pin to commemorate the day and I buy it!! So I did.

Entrance to the Pacific Science Center

I would have loved to have shown Been the Pacific Science Center – it’s probably my favorite place in Seattle next to the waterfront. But we got there 5 minutes before it closed, so we didn’t get to go in. I don’t know why I didn’t check beforehand, that was my bad! It’s been so long since o(-(

We ended up taking the monorail back after getting something to drink at the Armory, and picked up the new orca cards that are now in circulation. As an avid ticket/memorabilia collector, it felt so surreal seeing the new card design drop out of the kiosk. I don’t know, I’m a sap for things changing. I’m still going to keep my blue orca cards, but I’ll make sure to take good care of them.

Chiikawa goods and sticker sheets

Since Been’s friends were just sitting down for dinner, we decided to ride the lightrail to Uwajimaya. Unfortunately it was like a sauna in Kinokuniya, so we didn’t browse for long… I found some super cute sticker sets and Chiikawa merch!!!!! So Been and I bought some and tried our gacha luck. I actually managed to pull the one I really wanted!! Q_Q

dough zone dinner

I was telling Been about the Dough Zone, so we decided to eat there for a light dinner. The server who greeted us complimented both our outfits!!! gyahhhh today was such a good day for my self-confidence!!! We ordered the sweet and spicy cucumber, q-bao, xiaolongbao and the fried wontons with sweet chili. It was my first time trying the fried wontons and they were absolutely amazing!!! So perfectly crunchy but soft and flavorful. I don’t usually use chili sauce, but I’m so glad I did – it really amplified the flavor.

Evening on the freeway

We finished just in time for Been’s friends to let him know they were heading back, and so ended our very chill Seattle hangout. It was really fun! I’m glad I came out today.

Thanks for reading!