I haven't ridden along downtown waterfront since spring, so this addition is an arresting sight. No sign with caption to identify it, as far as I could see, so it must be a brand new installation. Generally I avoid this popular route in summer as it's crazy busy with out-of-town pedestrians who suddenly step in front of the bike, plus out-of-control toddlers in pedal cars that are guaranteed to turn right into you, so you have little choice but to go over your handlebars and crash to avoid killing both sets of obstacles.
Still, on this "bluest blue you've ever seen" day in Seattle it was fun.
This is the last time I'll be riding in Seattle until 2015. I'm off to China next month to teach English. This time, my suitcase will carry teaching swag, not a bike. But perhaps I'll get to rent some wheels once I've settled into my new digs. Once upon a time the #1 transportation device was the bicycle. Given all the tales I've heard of persistent air pollution, maybe one day they'll be smart and go back.
Since 2010, I've had the opportunity to travel outside the US every year. This teaching gig wasn't something I knew about until mid-July, so the decision to head out has been a lot faster than I usually like. Chances like this are "once in a blue moon" events. I reinvented myself as an English language teacher so that I had options to combine biking and meaningful work for which there's near term sustainable demand. Check, check. I sincerely hope it's a wonderful trip where I acquaint myself with the real China, teach some smart teens, and learn enough Mandarin to be able to get around with grace and confidence.
Access to the internet will take figuring out, plus I'll be working 5 days. No worries. My blog will continue.
