Take today, for instance. I had to take my car into the mechanics for its oil change and radiator flush, and this took a while. Luckily, I had my knitting and my iPad with me to keep me amused, but this doesn't mean that these things necessarily make me ignore my environment, because I will glance up at people and overhear what they have to say.
So there was this guy and his wife who came in, and he was talking about making less money than some people he trained, which of course perked my ears up because I analyze and write resumes from time to time. I said, "what, you earn less than the people you train? How does that happen?" Well, he was referring to something else, but we started talking, and I discovered that Jimmy is the head chef and part owner of Trapper's Sushi over in Covington. Being half-Japanese, I had to find out more, and let's just say I will go there sometime soon, possibly with my mother in tow. Trust me, I will report back, but I anticipate good things from what he had to say about his training and the slight disgust I briefly saw on his face when he talked of "junk" sushi, and the subsequent passion I also saw when he talked about using fresh ingredients, etc.
Once I got my car back, inspired by the gourmet magazines at the mechanic's, I decided to go to the local health food store, Marlene's, which was out of my migraine vitamins, alas, but which did have other things that I bought. And because there had been an artisan bread baking class at the Marlenes that I unfortunately had not been aware of, it made me think of the lovely German breads I used to have, which then led me to the Valley Harvest grocery store on Military Road in Federal Way, which features not only foreign foods of all kinds and from all over the world, but the Eastern European "A Taste of Europe" deli and bakery. That bakery has real European artisan bread, including kinds that I used to buy in Germany. So, of course, I bought two loaves.
But before I even went to do that, I noticed a new store: Continental Textiles. Textiles! Being interested in anything fiber-related, I had to go in.
Immediately, I was overcome by nostalgia. It was, in essence, a mix of the Aldi, Kik, or Tedi stores I used to go to in Germany and the Sittard market in the Netherlands, except it was clothing items and accessories, mostly for women. And oh, my the scarves! So many different scarves of different kinds, shapes, textures, and fabric! The deals on these were amazing, as well. I spotted a gorgeously rich red Pashmina (yes, real Pashmina) and silk scarf for only $20! No, it was not a tiny thing, but a scarf that could cover your shoulders down to the middle of your back--essentially a shawl. I seriously have never seen so many scarves (or men's ties) in so many colors and shapes in my life.
I talked with the store clerk/manager there, who is an American of (I'm guessing) Romanian heritage and who speaks Romanian and bit of Russian, and she said she originally worked in the Portland, Oregon store, and came up here when this one opened up. In the course of our chat, I found that she, too, had been to Germany--specifically Cologne, and so was familiar with the outdoor markets such as the Sittard one that I often went to in the Netherlands, not to mention the magnificent Köln Cathedral. We chatted for a while, and I found out that between this Federal Way, WA store and the Portland, OR one, Continental Textiles has the largest collection of scarves and shawls in the United States.
I don't doubt this. Had I had my camera with me, I would have taken a picture of all those scarves and shawls, in colors and edging designs I've never seen before. It seems the gal who works there--Lia, I believe her name is--and her mother actually designed many of the dyed scarves and edgings in the shop. As the daughter of a professional tailor, I was VERY impressed by the workmanship. The designs and other items in the store have a distinctly European flair, and if you want that bit of je ne sais quoi with which to accessorize, that store should help.
I should also mention that if you are fond of tea, this store has a number of very nice traditional European tea sets, and I mean the delicate china sets with gold edges and delicate flowers and baroque curls on them. They also have modern glass tea pots.
When I mentioned that I felt nostalgic when I came into the store because it made me remember my time in Europe, Lia laughed and said that everyone who has stepped into the store who has immigrated from elsewhere has said it seemed like a part of home to them. "Even some women from Ethiopia," she said.
It made me reflect on what I had mentioned to Jimmy the Trapper's chef at the car repair place in Auburn: it really isn't Seattle that's culturally diverse; it's South King County. When I lived in Seattle, I don't think I met or really talked with one Russian, Ukrainian, Mexican, Guatemalan, Korean, Indian, Pakistani, they were that rare. But living in South King County, there is not one day when I don't interact with someone from another nation or race. Here, you'll find home cooking in restaurants owned by people from another country, or who were trained in that country's dishes. I can get German spätzle here at a decent price, not overpriced as I'm sure I'd have to pay in a Seattle specialty store, because this is where native Bavarians or Ukrainians shop, who--like me--can't afford to own a home in Seattle. I can get all the spices I need for a Garam Masala, or Ethiopian Doro Wot without paying an arm and a leg. And I am pretty much guaranteed to get what the people from these countries normally buy at home, because I shop where they shop.
Seriously, aside from the fact that it's awfully expensive to live there, I don't think I'd want to move back to Seattle. I love looking at people from different countries and guessing where they might have come from, and trying to talk to them if they are able to speak English well.
Diverse? Oh yeah. And I really love it, because it's like having my own little bit of Europe or Asia or Africa right here at home.
Oh, and what did I do with that European artisan bread (similar to German bauernbrot)? I decided to create a dish to go with it: Delicata squash (seeds removed) filled with chopped bacon and leeks, baked at 400 degrees for 40 minutes, then topped with chunks of chicken and zucchini in Alfredo sauce and grated fresh Parmesan cheese on top of that, then back in the oven to broil for 5 to 10 minutes until the Parmesan cheese was melted. Yum!
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