|
With the upcoming Sakuracon and it being like a moth to a lamplight I decided to travel to Seattle as part of a way to warm up for a trip to Hong Kong somewhere in October, so I decide to ask these questions 1) How dangerous it is for an one man trip. Given how a month ago a girl was found dead in LA after 3 weeks going missing. My father went completely APESHIT over it 2) Will Canadian Money work just as well in Seattle as in Canada or will I need to exchange money? 3) How safe is staying in a hostel compared to a hotel? I am travelling on a light budget and was consider just staying in a hotel as the chances of a hotel room for the Sakuracon is slim as hell. I am thankful for any information that helps makes my family feel safe knowing I won't become a free source of money if I am found dead across the border.
|
| # ? Mar 8, 2013 17:55 |
|
|
|
| # ? May 21, 2013 13:49 |
|
|
1) Unless you plan on starting fights with people Seattle is not a dangerous place. 2) Exchange your money for US currency. 3) I've never stayed in a hostel in Seattle but I lived there for 11 years. I would say see #1.
|
| # ? Mar 8, 2013 19:52 |
|
|
Hahaha, I love this. We are not LA. You will be fine. 1. I'm a 130 lb girl and I walk all over downtown, Capital Hill, Sodo, Ballard, Fremont, etc. at night all the time by myself, no problem. Those are the only neighborhoods I can imagine you'll be in. The 'bad' neighborhoods are all out of the way. People here are standoffish, but chill. Even our cops are pretty cool. 2. Exchange that poo poo. No one takes Canadian currency, except maybe the stray penny. You will not be able to use your funny money anywhere. 3. I only know of one hostel and it's downtown by Pike's Place. Seattle has a pile of hotels so I don't think you'll have trouble finding one. If you can't find one right downtown there are a couple up on Capital Hill that are reasonable and you can take the bus or walk to downtown in a few minutes.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 00:55 |
|
|
I had a friend that worked at the Convention Center for a few years. I had no idea this convention even existed but he told me to come down and just have a look. Woooooboy is it a freakshow. OP, if you were heading to some rough area of Chicago or Detroit or LA then yeah, maybe there's some cause for concern. If you're going to get all decked out as your favorite anime all people are going to do is snicker at you. If you're not used to that already you should probably steel yourself for it.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 01:18 |
|
|
amishbuttermaster posted:I had a friend that worked at the Convention Center for a few years. I had no idea this convention even existed but he told me to come down and just have a look. Woooooboy is it a freakshow. One oath of mine when cosplaying is "Can I wear it as it as a casual outfit?" Layman's terms: I am going as Jacket from Hotline Miami with a 50% chance of lugging a wooden bat around and and animal mask.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 03:05 |
|
|
I have no idea who or what it is you're talking about. In any case, Vancouver and Seattle are roughly the same size and a relatively short distance from one another. How exactly did you get such a negative impression about one of the chillest cities in the US?
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 03:23 |
|
|
I'd like to apologize on behalf of all Canadians for this person who literally asked if they have to exchange their money when going to a foreign country. (Well, the other questions were stupid too, but that one was just a whole new level)
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 03:26 |
|
|
HookShot posted:I'd like to apologize on behalf of all Canadians for this person who literally asked if they have to exchange their money when going to a foreign country. I don't think anyone could really attribute any degree of worldliness to a person that wants to not only go to a big cosplay convention but also thinks that Seattle is full of violent thugs and criminals that would slit his throat just as soon as look at him.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 03:32 |
|
|
amishbuttermaster posted:I have no idea who or what it is you're talking about. In any case, Vancouver and Seattle are roughly the same size and a relatively short distance from one another. How exactly did you get such a negative impression about one of the chillest cities in the US? Oh my father did, I know as long I don't offend anyone I will come back with maybe some exclusive US food products while heading there. Since everyone else in my family goes with someone and I am heading out alone is a reason to raise concerns. The fact someone wind up dead a couple of weeks ago does not make my father feel easy about this. HookShot posted:I'd like to apologize on behalf of all Canadians for this person who literally asked if they have to exchange their money when going to a foreign country. To be fair, I was thinking of relying on my debit card to make transactions. I was thinking more on that part.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 04:14 |
|
|
gyrobot posted:Oh my father did, I know as long I don't offend anyone I will come back with maybe some exclusive US food products while heading there. Since everyone else in my family goes with someone and I am heading out alone is a reason to raise concerns. The fact someone wind up dead a couple of weeks ago does not make my father feel easy about this. Vancouver had a serial killer that picked up junkie prostitutes, butchered them and then ground them up with pigs and gave the end product to his friends. A single person that turned up dead a thousand miles away from your destination is hardly something to be concerned about. How old are you anyways? How are you planning on traveling there?
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 04:19 |
|
|
amishbuttermaster posted:Vancouver had a serial killer that picked up junkie prostitutes, butchered them and then ground them up with pigs and gave the end product to his friends. A single person that turned up dead a thousand miles away from your destination is hardly something to be concerned about. How old are you anyways? How are you planning on traveling there? 24, and I plan to do it by train or Greyhound. Doing as much planning on the fly as the major concern is communications and electronics running out of juice over the span of 3 days.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 04:22 |
|
|
Do Amtrak for sure. Greyhound is awful and in Canada there's a much bigger chance of getting decapitated. As for charging devices, Seattle is right on the cusp of modern technology and it does have electricity. I'd say you'll probably find yourself in a building with electricity at some point and many of these buildings have electrical outlets that allow you to transfer electricity from the building's connection to any number of devices.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 04:39 |
|
|
amishbuttermaster posted:Do Amtrak for sure. Greyhound is awful and in Canada there's a much bigger chance of getting decapitated. As for charging devices, Seattle is right on the cusp of modern technology and it does have electricity. I'd say you'll probably find yourself in a building with electricity at some point and many of these buildings have electrical outlets that allow you to transfer electricity from the building's connection to any number of devices. What I meant was grabbing a portable electric storage charger. I mean I can easily plug it to an outlet at a Starbucks but I was thinking more of the trip there where I will probably spend 95% of my battery on the trip.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 04:49 |
|
|
All but one Amtrak trip I've been on had outlets available. I know business-class definitely has them available.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 04:53 |
|
|
gyrobot posted:What I meant was grabbing a portable electric storage charger. I mean I can easily plug it to an outlet at a Starbucks but I was thinking more of the trip there where I will probably spend 95% of my battery on the trip. OP as the trip takes around ~3 hours I assume this is because you will be constantly on the phone to your parents at all points during the trip to update them on your murdered/not murdered status. My advice is to invest in a second phone so you can charge one while telling them about other passengers nearby who might murder you on the other!
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 11:28 |
|
|
OP, I live near Seattle and I've been to Sakuracon twice so here's my two cents: 1) Seattle, especially around the convention center, is a pretty safe place. Be smart, of course, but you should have nothing to worry about. 2) Due to Canada and the US being different countries, you will have to change your money. Also, if you didn't know already, you'll need a passport. gyrobot posted:To be fair, I was thinking of relying on my debit card to make transactions. I was thinking more on that part. Don't do this. From what I understand you shouldn't make petty transactions with your debit card, and you don't want to be hit with any foreign transaction fees. Also, at the convention everyone (all the vendors, etc.) only takes cash and you don't want to spend your time lining up at the ATMs when you could be anime-ing it up. 3) I've stayed in hostels before, and they can be fun! Bring a padlock so that you can put your stuff in a locker while you're at the convention. If you go the hotel route, I might suggest checking out the Sakuracon website/forums to see if there's people who are looking for roomies to split the cost with. You'll pay less and potentially meet a convention buddy! Other unsolicited convention advice (is this your first one?): gyrobot posted:One oath of mine when cosplaying is "Can I wear it as it as a casual outfit?" Layman's terms: I am going as Jacket from Hotline Miami with a 50% chance of lugging a wooden bat around and and animal mask. Dude, don't half-rear end your cosplay. Get a mask and weapon (check the rules to see if actual bats are allowed?) or else you'll just look like a frat boy. Ignore amishbuttermaster, no one will laugh at you because there will be hundreds of other dorks in far more ridiculous costumes. If you're looking to save some $$, don't eat in the convention hall. There's a few places downstairs and around the convention center that will be cheaper and (slightly) less crowded. Remember to bring a camera, water, and have fun! 
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 12:42 |
|
|
Ripper Swarm posted:OP as the trip takes around ~3 hours I assume this is because you will be constantly on the phone to your parents at all points during the trip to update them on your murdered/not murdered status. My advice is to invest in a second phone so you can charge one while telling them about other passengers nearby who might murder you on the other! This is a great idea. The OP is 24 and thus a child so constant communication is going to be vital. After all, who knows what could happen on a relatively short trip to the American analog to the city in which he currently resides.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 15:35 |
|
|
amishbuttermaster posted:This is a great idea. The OP is 24 and thus a child so constant communication is going to be vital. After all, who knows what could happen on a relatively short trip to the American analog to the city in which he currently resides. The second phone is also important because he expects his first phone (/laptop) to run 95% out of charge on the long trips between Seattle and Vancouver. Sorry OP, not trying to be too snarky (and I don't think anyone else is either), you just need to get out more. Way more. Enjoy Seattle.
|
| # ? Mar 9, 2013 17:13 |
|
|
gyrobot posted:24, and I plan to do it by train or Greyhound. I go by bus between Vancouver and Seattle a lot to see friends. The Greyhound is the skeeviest bus and station, for what it's worth, and it makes a lot of stops. I recommend Bolt Bus instead -- they're super cheap if you book way ahead of time, and every seat has an outlet plus wifi once you cross into the US. Amtrak train is pleasant and does have outlets in business class, but it's also really slow.
|
| # ? Mar 14, 2013 04:57 |
|
|
Hahaha Seattle is literally the American version of Vancouver dude, you're not going to Baluchistan.
|
| # ? Mar 16, 2013 06:12 |
|
|
|
| # ? May 21, 2013 13:49 |
|
|
I think Vancouver is warm up for Hong Kong
|
| # ? Mar 18, 2013 06:48 |
|
