In the before time, this area of Benaroya Hall would have been jammed with people enjoying lunch or coffee before the concert. The restaurants and concessions were all closed yesterday.
We had to show proof of vaccination AND matching ID to enter. Most of us seniors, it's hard imagining that demographic going to the trouble of faking vaccination cards to see a classical concert! But still, we appreciated the efforts to help people feel safer.
I was apprehensive, not because I'm so worried about getting sick anymore, but because we had not been downtown Seattle for almost 2 years. Between the bridge closure and the pandemic, there just wasn't any compelling reason to go.
Anyway, not knowing what to expect, we left the house at noon for the 2 pm concert. Go figure-- then we just breezed through the detour.
It was raining, and I guess most people were home watching the Seahawks lose on TV. Another painful game we missed, now that was a blessing. We parked in the usual garage and even had time to meet up with our friends at the gelato shop. Still open, although now serving in disposable cups. So almost like the old days.
The hall was about half full with die-hard, mostly elderly season ticket holders. Everyone wore masks of course, including the musicians. Except when they were blowing. It was a fairly short program but enjoyable.
The biggest change was downtown Seattle. All around Benaroya Hall, a sad sight of boarded up businesses and once nice restaurants, tents on the sidewalks, filthy alleys and homeless people. Many unfortunates on drugs or mentally deranged. I didn't take this picture, but it's a pretty typical view. Our once beautiful Seattle has become a place you want to get out of as fast as possible.
Anyway, here's some pictures from a happier place...
No comments:
Post a Comment