our trip; day one, part two

Ok , we got through the border and then started off through Washington. It was exciting to be on our way at last, even though by this time it was about 4 pm and although the sun was out as we progressed it was already starting to go down.

No matter as our bus was fast and we rattled along the excellent highway(seems better as theirs are made of concrete and seem stronger, whereas ours are always blacktop)

We acclimatised ourselves to our surroundings; comfortable seats with their footrests and nice high back rests, almost capable of reclining at a 35 degree angle which made them even more comfortable than an airplane chair!

Now we were passing through wide open fields and farm land with occasional bridges over fast flowing rivers. It was still chilly out as we could see the ground had patches of ice and indeed some irrigation ditches were frozen over. On we went, chattering to each other and occasionally to our neighbours; sorting out our brought aboard bags and getting our chairs at their most comfortable.

We made our first stop at about 530; this at the Commons Mall at Federal Way (the bus driver called it Sea Tac mall too (which is it’s old name)

We were going to have a quick dinner here and lucked out! We came across the Jasmine Mongolian Grill which had a wonderful,”pick your own ingredients and then we cook it for you”, stir fry place.

THIS was a wonderful place. I was told that it is so unique that people living in Seattle drive all the way out there(about 80 miles)to eat there!

You enter what looks like a buffet set up in a stainless steel table, but upon getting closer , find that it is ALL comprised of raw ingredients (all well chilled in the refriegerated table). Starting off there was chicken(all in thin little rolls) , then beef, and fish and scallops, shrimps and squid. Then we came to the huge vegetables assortment; all raw and cut up quite finely..everything from snow peas, bok choy and broccoli to carrots, peppers and zucchini(and more!). Next were the accompaniments; noodles(these are cooked),cilantro, bamboo shoots, ginger, green onions etc..Finally came the sauces; again everything one could think of, from garlic to their special chef’s sauce and in between I was pleased to note that they even had sesame oil which really adds character to good asian cooking.

One progresses around the buffet, picking what one wants and putting it all into a large bowl. This is delivered to the cooking area at the end; a round enclosure with no walls. In the middle is a huge flat cooking iron and there are four chefs who take ones food and cook it right there.

After it is cooked they give it to one on a plate and the waitress meanwhile has put a squat sort of thermos of rice individual little bowls of eggdrop soup, and some flat pancakes(similar to what is used for Peking Duck).

Now it is time to eat and enjoy (which we did). Oh yes ice cream for dessert was included in the absurdly low price of $11.95 per person.

If you ever see a place like this, do try it, it is a fun experience and totally healthy and delicious.

We were treated to a funny DVD upon our return to the bus; it was a stand up routine by a very funny and interesting woman who had been a beauty pageant winner 40 years ago, and she was still as graceful and entertaining. I cannot find her name, but she was a winner of a North(or South?) Carolina contest 40 years ago.

Got to our motel in Halsey, Oregon for the night at around 1030pm…yikes! There was the usual crowd mooing around as we waited for our bags but we waited until it thinned out and then were able to get both our bags and our room keys.

Our room was very clean and comfortable though, and we slept soundly until our wakeup call at 515 the next morning..

(to be continued!)