Kobe Terrace and Danny Woo

Sunday I spent the morning and early afternoon at the corner of Danny Woo Community Garden and the Panama Hotel.  This was a wonderful location for our monthly sketch crawl , with the sun warming us as the summer is turning to autumn.  The garden plots were still producing a lot of fresh vegetables for the faithful gardeners.  The views over the the International District, the stadiums and finally the clouds building for the early evening rain-fall.  It was great to see many of the faithful sketchers and a few new members as we convened for tea and conversation at the old Panama Hotel.

A TREASURE in the International District!!!

The Ad Hoc Friday Sketchers met at thew Panama Hotel in the International District today,  But before I went inside, I crossed the street, and discovered the Danny Woo Community Gardens of the I.D.  It was amazing!!  Many terraced levels full of quaint and funky gardens, stairs, bluebells, and many old cherry and apple trees, full of blossoms.  Up and up and up I trekked, marveling at the uniqueness of these gardens.  Near the top, where it levels out a bit, was a great chicken coop (pictured above), and then so much more in the "P-Patch" area of this garden.  Panoramic views over to King Street Station, as well as the Smith Tower were tempting, but, first I checked in with everyone, and told them about my "discovery" outside in the partly sunny no-rain day!!
I guess the Panama Hotel Tea Room will have to wait for another day - and I WILL go there, because it is ALSO full of character and coziness.

Sketches and Tea Leaves

            It was really great to see so many new faces at this month's sketch crawl in the International District. I hope everyone who participated in the Good Bones workshop had a good time and will join us in the future.

            Despite the terrible weather, I found plenty to draw at the Panama Hotel. I recently finished reading "At the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" and wanted to take the opportunity to visit the Panama Hotel since it plays a key role in the novel's plot.

            On the outside, the hotel is a nondescript brick building. At the base of the hotel is a tea and coffee house that is packed with artifacts from the building's history.

 

                The most interesting display is a window cut into the cafe's floor that allows visitors to peak into the basement where hundreds of Japanese families stored their belongings before being interned during World War 2. Trunks, books, umbrellas and other paraphernalia lay abandoned.

            The cafe also features a range of historic photos and newspaper clippings that illustrate life in Seattle's nihonmachi (Japan Town) prior to 1942. There is also a wonderful collection of books and art by various post-World War 2 Japanese artists and writers.

            If you ever have a chance to visit the Panama Hotel it is an interesting peak into Seattle's history. The Panama Hotel tea room also serves a wonderful selection of teas and coffee to help keep the Seattle blues at bay. I look forward to seeing everyone at next month's sketch crawl.