Either I was too late or everyone else was just on the ball, but by the time I registered I had two options for conference-affiliated hotels, and neither of them were in my price range (or, more accurately, my university’s–but I’m trying to avoid looking like a total prima donna on my first out-of-town conference trip, as I’d like to have my future travel bills footed!). So I did some sleuthing (pretty easy given that, you know, that’s sort of my job) and found a affordable, trendy hotel that claimed to be 3.5 blocks from the conference center. I am always leery of “city blocks”–they tend to be a lot longer than they look–but I was pleasantly surprised to emerge from the hotel’s front lobby yesterday afternoon, turn to my right, and see the convention center off in the distance. An uphill trek, but definitely not an unpleasant one.

Another pleasant walk that I took–and one that anyone, from any downtown hotel, can make–was a journey to the Central Branch of the Seattle Public Library. If you have time during these next four days, I urge you to do the same. You will not be disappointed. My wife makes fun of me for always wanting to check out the local public/university library whenever we go on a trip. But if ever there was a library that was a true tourist destination, this is it. The building itself appears to jut out of a hill, its ceiling rising into dramatic, angular points that still manage to look more inviting than intimidating. Inside, the first thing you’ll be struck by is how well-lit it is in there, and how what seems like miles of glass windows let in an amount of natural light that is considerable, but never blinding or distracting to patrons. Speaking of patrons, what impressed me most about the library didn’t have anything to do with architectural innovation, but with the sheer number people were using it. The Central Branch was, in a word, slammed, and not just with slackjawed gawkers like yours truly. Patrons were filling up computer labs, reposing in reading rooms, and lining up at the circulation desk. I remember reading a couple of months ago that Seattle was one of the most literate cities in America, and it’s easy to see why. 

If you’re wondering, I did take pictures. However, I did not take a certain vital cord that would allow me to post some here or on the conference Flickr page! (Frankly, it’s a miracle that I seemed to have forgotten only that one thing.). I’ll be taking even more pictures (and not posting them) today on the Discover Seattle’s Highlights tour–can’t wait to see everyone there!