PORTFOLIO
IGNACIO LOBOS / ILOBOS@STARBULLETIN.COM
A bold neon sign along Pike's Place Market illustrates Seattle's status as coffee mecca of the world, especially in winter.
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Market days
By October the gray curtain has dropped in Seattle, a thick and low ceiling of clouds that will only let the sun come through on a few special occasions during the long winter months.
The dismal lack of sunshine sends many Seattleites into a near-eternal state of melancholy. A shock to the system and to eyes used to seeing the world in a gale of color.
But there's a cure. The venerable Pike Place Market is never dull on the senses. Whether it's with ears, nose or eyes, a visit to the market shocks the soul out of its darkest places. It's hard to be gloomy when a performer plays a Christmas tune on his saw and bursts out in laughter at his own performance. Happiness, too, comes in a perfectly grilled cheese sandwich at a shop just around the corner or the freshly cut flowers at another stall.
The market was once almost obliterated in the name of progress. It was saved by Seattleites who understood the value of a colorful history. Things have more or less remained the same -- with some obvious missing pieces. A sign reminds visitors that back in 1941, when this market buzzed just as much as it does today, two-thirds of the stalls were run by Japanese Americans. Today, none are.
IGNACIO LOBOS / ILOBOS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Street performers are part of the market experience. It's hard to believe a Christmas carol could sound so good on a hand saw, above.
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IGNACIO LOBOS / ILOBOS@STARBULLETIN.COM
The market explodes with the color of fresh produce. Extra-large beefsteak tomatoes are just $1.99 a pound.
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IGNACIO LOBOS / ILOBOS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Balloon magic captivates children and adults, even though the balloon artist looks like something the cat dragged in.
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