This is Snoqualmie Falls, which appeared in "Twin Peaks", a drama.
You can see Salish Lodge and Spa, or Great Northern Hotel in "Twin Peaks".

A few years ago, when I decided to go to Seattle, I read some guidebooks and found out that the fictitious village which was set in "Twin Peaks" was near Seattle. The guidebook said that it would take about thirty minutes.
"Twin Peaks" is a popular TV drama which is directed by the phenomenical David Lynch. In the drama, a mysterious murder happened in Twin Peaks. Then, one day, Cooper(Kyle Maclachlan), a special agent came there to investigate the murder.
When the drama was popular, "Twin peaks" appeared once a week on TBS. However, I couldn't wait for one week, so went to a rental video shop frequently to see all of the programs. Even in those days, I was a little disappointed with the latter half of the series. I don't remember the details of the drama now, because more than ten years has passed since I had seen it.
However, the tape recorder which Cooper spoke into recording how the investigation was proceeding together with the cherry pie which he liked and often ate in the drama, impressed me lots, so I began to think that I wanted to visit there to eat that same cherry pie!
According to the guidebook, it was possible to go there by bus, but it seemed to be difficult to find the correct bus stop. Therefore, we decided to use a package tour after being given a free leaflet about it at the airport.

		I arrived at Salish Lodge and Spa, or Great Northern Hotel as named in "Twin Peaks"!
	Seeing Snoqualmie Falls, I remember the beautiful dead body of Laura Palmer.
A cafe which you can eat a cherry pie in "Twin Peaks". I heard that the cafe had been refurbished recently, so it seemed to be brighter than the cafe in "Twin Peaks". I was a little disappointed by the makeover.
		A coffee cup on which is written "Damm fine cup of coffee" and a piece of cherry pie. I thought that this was the cherry pie which I dreamed of, but maybe a cherry pie of Anna Millers(right) was more tasty. By the way, The pies which I show you are two half portions of Dark Cherry Pie(upper) and Cherry Pie(below). One piece is double in size.

However, a problem in relation to this tour occurred after we came back to Japan. When we telephoned and booked this tour, they promised us that fare would be reduced from 70 dollars to 59.50 per person 15% off. On the tour day, the tour conductor took us to more places than we had expected and we were satisfied, so we paid 30 dollars, 15 dollars each, to him as a tip. Actually, later, we thought that the tip was a little too much. However, after we came back to Japan and received the bill on credit card, we were surprised. The total amount was 79.66 dollars, so about 10,000 yen per person! Even if they added tax, the fare was still expensive. Therefore, I e-mailed to the tour company and asked them to show me the details of the fare. However, I didn't receive their answer, so I sent a fax to them. Finally, when I got their answer, I found out that they added a tax and 14 dollar tip although the fare was surely reduced. They wrote "THANK YOUVERY MUCH" in English at the end of their e-mail although they are Japanese!
"Tip?" I was really disgusted with their "THANK YOU VERY MUCH", so I wrote to them again. "Thank you for your answer. However, I think that the tour guide has the right to receive a tip, when the person who he gave his service to is satisfied with it. Therefore, I think that nobody should ask for a tip without the receiver's consent. We were satisfied with the tour itself, so I'm really disappointed that I have to say to you, "If my friends go to Seatle, I will advise to them that they should not use your tour."
Then, the next day, they sent another e-mail to me, probably because they may have thought that I was a little troublesome. "Talking about a tip, in America, everybody know that Japanese tourists don't give a tip even when they should do so. Therefore, we always charge a tip to Japanese tourists. Many American restaurants do the same. You'd better confirm if a tip or taxes are charged or not before taking a tour. In this case, specially, we follow Japanese rule, so we'll refund a tip to your credit card." Actually, I was really upset at their bossy attitude, but I replied, "Your cooperation is greatly appreciated." However, I didn't receive any mail from them about the refund. Usually, people would stop to contact them. However, I couldn't hold my tongue because I thought that they were dishonest. Again, I sent e-mail which urged payment.
After that, they sent back a polite e-mail and wrote that they lost my credit card No. although they wanted to give me a refund, so they asked me to give it again. Therefore, I answered them the next day, but I didn't receive any answer. About 3 months later since I sent them the first e-mail, I found out that they refunded seeing a notification from a credit card company. At that time, I laughed and was dumbfounded at their rudeness. We were supposed to receive 28 dollars in total, but they reduced it to 22.95 taking a service charge. The credit card company told me that their service charge would be reduced by currency control, so they would never add more service charge. In other words, the tour company took another service charge!!
Yes! It's only 5-6 dollars!! Saying something more is troublesome, so I didn't say anything about that because we received a refund. I still felt bad. I would have never complained about it, although it was a little expensive, if they had told us at first. We had been led to believe that the tour was provided as being at a discounted price, so were disgusted with the company's cunning techniques of getting tips. Moreover, they didn't answer before I sent many e-mails and a FAX. I think that their attitude was the biggest problem. Don't you agree?
Anyway, this Twin Peaks tour was a good lesson for me.
In closing, I want to advise you so that nobody wouldn't experience such trouble. When you are going to use a tour which is organized by Japanese, you should confirm with them if any charge will be add without your agreement. Moreover, if possible, you'd better pay in cash, so any unreasonable charge would never be demanded. I hope that you'll have a good trip!!

(2003.5.9)

to the TOP	Trip to Seattle in the summer of 2001
	Pigs in Seattle	A view from the airplace