Week 5

5:35 PM, 4/22/2012, on the train from Vancouver to Bellingham -

I started this leg of the tour in Seattle the night before last. I played at East Madison Coffee and Deli. It was an early show (5 to 7 PM). After the show, I had dinner at my favorite local Italian place, and then turned in early in order to prepare for my busy weekend. 

Last night arrived at the border to B.C. in Blaine, WA at about 7 PM. Along with about 10 other passengers, I got off the bus and entered the customs building. All of the other passengers were ahead of me and I heard each of them get asked a few questions by a customs officers. The officer asked each of them if they'd ever been denied entrance into Canada, and then checked his computer records to see if anyone them had been lying. They were all found to be telling the truth, and were instructed to get back on the bus. Finally I was asked the same question. "Well, there was that one time..."

I had attempted to cross with a friend and my band-mates in order to play a show in Vancouver a few years ago. The customs officers could tell that we were planning to play a show, what with all of our gear, band t-shirts, CDs, instruments, etc. We did not have work permits. We were denied entrance, and there was a record of it here.

So what was I doing trying to cross without a permit again? Getting a permit seemed like too big a hassle. I just wanted to play a couple shows and see the sights! I figured this time I would come in without merch, and I even left my uke behind, so it was just me, my suitcase and my guitar. The customs officer who initially questioned me and my fellow bus riders instructed me to go into a back room where I'd be questioned further by another officer. By then I had nearly given up hope. I explained to the next officer why I'd been denied entrance into Canada the first time, but assured him I was just coming in for some sight-seeing this time.

"And you brought your guitar?"

"Oh, I bring it everywhere. I just play for fun now," I told him.

"Well, if you're a musician, I find that hard to believe," he replied. "Did you come here with someone or by yourself?"

"With - by myself," I responded.

"Why did you just say 'with'?"

"Because I'm tired," I told him truthfully. I had already played one show earlier that afternoon in Tacoma, and the sun had been beating down fiercely on me the entire time. As I answered more of the officer's questions, I felt my arms begin to itch. I looked down and they were both burning red. Instead of drawing the obvious conclusion that I'd incurred a sunburn, I immediately assumed that I was getting a rash because of all of the lying I was doing.

The officer went to his computer and typed something; maybe he was running a background check on me. I stopped feeling nervous, only because I was sure that I'd have to call my friend in Lynden soon and ask her to pick me up. I started putting on lip gloss. The officer eyed me strangely, and then handed me my passport and my ticket. "OK, you're free to go," he said.

I stood there, dumbfounded for a minute. Then I raced out to the bus. Holy shit, I thought, I guess I'm going to Canada. 

Once inside the bus again, I noticed that the internet and the GPS on my phone had stopped working. This would have been more disconcerting if I hadn't been so giddy about being able to cross the border. I touched up my make-up and went over my set list for the show. When we arrived in Vancouver, I asked a few people for directions and found my way to the hotel by taking the sky rail. Then I asked the hotel manager for directions to the club. At first he didn't seem to think anything was at the address I mentioned, but then he remembered that there was a new underground club there. I changed quickly and hurried to the venue. There I met Duncan, a singer-songwriter who opened for me, and two bands called Goodnight Grace and the Cut Losses, who both went on after me. All three acts were local, high-energy, and fantastic. I also met James, who had booked me, and Brody, who was acting as a host, announcing each act before we played. James and Brody owned the place, which seemed to have been an auto repair shop in its last life. Now it was an awesome performance space, complete with lights, sound and booze. I stayed until 2 AM, enjoying the company, music and free beer.

The next day I went to breakfast in Chinatown, where I was staying. Then I asked for more directions and found my way to the Croatian Cultural Centre, where I was to perform as part of a big DIY festival. I found the place with enough time to shop around and enjoy the act that was on before me, a very talented bluegrass duo called the River and the Road. During my set I felt a bit fatigued. I had rushed around 3 cities in 48 hours, playing four gigs in that time. The spotlight seemed to be melting me. Still I was so happy to have made it there, and I think I made some new fans, so thanks for letting me in, Canada!

After my second show ended, it was already time to find my way back to the Amtrak Station so that I could get on the train to Bellingham. Now I am nearly there. I'm sad to have had to leave so soon, but I'm excited to see my friends in Bellingham!

11:50 AM, 4/27/12, on the bus to Yakima from Seattle -
Some people find Yakima boring because it is a small town. Others refer to it as "the Palm Springs of WA." When I lived here for 3 weeks in 1999, I found it less than thrilling. I was 18. I had just obtained a job and hadn't gotten paid yet, so I was completely broke. I lived with a sausage salesman who traveled constantly. Some of my coworkers would buy me a things from the vending machine at the store we worked at, knowing that I had no money and no food at my apartment. One candy bar and one soda was usually all I had to eat for the day. In my three weeks there, I lost 15 pounds. Even if I'd had money, I wasn't old enough to go out to the bars. I was so bored and hungry and depressed that I barely noticed the natural beauty of the mountains and desert around me.

Now whenever I visit, I become enamored. Besides the aforementioned natural beauty, there is the charm of the vintage buildings downtown, many with the original early 20th century ads on them. Sure, we have similar buildings in Portland, but not nearly as many opportunities for sun-bathing. The first time I returned here after moving away was a few years ago, when my friend Charissa and I came to the Yakima Folklife Festival. Now Charissa loves Yakima, too.

Just yesterday, I said goodbye to Charissa in Bellingham. I was there for a few days, but it went by so quickly. During the beginning of the week, we shared some great meals, went shopping, and got matching pedicures. Then on Wednesday night I played at Pure Bliss Desserts, a great little place that served cake and wine. Everything was delicious! My friends Katie and Renae (Charissa's little sister) came up from Everett to visit us and see the show. Afterwards we went to a local bar, the Beaver Inn. It was a fun night!

On Thursday, Charissa took me out for a bloody mary before my bus ride to Seattle. Thanks Charissa! I stayed the night in Seattle and didn't do too much as I was trying to recover from the night before. I did walk around the city, and enjoyed being downtown again and taking pictures of the city. I turned in early and now I'm feeling much better and ready to play in Yakima tonight. Tomorrow night I will play in the Tri-Cities again, and then it will be time to head back to Spokane. I can't believe I left there only two weeks ago.

6:25 PM, 4/29/12, Pasco, WA -

I have had such a wonderful time in WA! On Friday I played to a big crowd in Yakima, at the North Town Coffeehouse. Before the show I had been unaware that Pat Muir had given me another great write-up in the Yakima Herald Republic (thanks Pat!), and it got lots of people out! I was delighted, and a little intimidated.

On Saturday I headed to Pasco on the Greyhound, and then to Kennewick on the city bus. I performed at Smasne Cellars, a lovely winery. The highlight of the night was meeting a nice local couple who had seen my name on the winery's website and had looked me up on youtube and decided to come to check me out.

After the show I went back to my hotel to take advantage of the 24 hour pool and hot tub. Today I've just been enjoying the sunshine before my night train to Spokane. I had breakfast in Kennewick, then walked across the freeway and down into Richland, where I found the Columbia River. I walked along the river for a while, and then went to a lounge across from the river and sat outside on the patio and had a drink, enjoying more of the view. Then I headed to Pasco, where I am currently eating at my favorite local Mexican restaurant, Mi Lindo Nayarit. I found this place during the first year that I came in town for the festival and have been coming back before my bus and train rides since (it is just a few blocks from the station so it's very convenient). The waitresses don't speak much English but, now that I'm trying to learn Spanish, it provides me an opportunity to practice. I enjoyed some good food and beer, and just watched a group of mariachis walk around and serenade the audience. Que bella noche!