University Way NE: "The Ave"

University Way NE called “The Ave” is the commercial heart of the University District of Seattle, Washington and the off-campus extension of the University of Washington (UW). The Ave now resembles an eight-block-long global food court and reflects the dynamics of many urban neighborhoods and the social and economic problems of countless American cities. It is patronized by many of the nearly 96,900 students, faculty and staff of the UW by the largely white and middle class residents of the U. District; and by a population of homeless or transient individuals, most of whom are youth.

Because it is a thoroughfare locals came to feel that a numbered street was inappropriate because of its importance, so in 1919 the University Commercial Club held a contest that decided the new name of the street: “University  Way”. The street had been known as “The Ave” for a time before this, however, and while it was no longer officially an avenue, the nickname stuck. Also, i live at the Ave, so i have the opportunity to know-well the street everyday.

Wednesday’s activity class was to find some types of businesses on The Ave and ask some questions about each one from a local native English speaker. So my friend Emmanuel and i decided to visit five places, two restaurants (a mexican and a vietnamese), a drugstore, a second hand bookstore and a clothing store.

We didn’t have luck on the two restaurants because they were too busy so they can’t answer our questions before 3PM. After that, we went to a drugstore, and the guy who attended us was really nice, he tell us about the hours of operation, he couldn't speak about the items they sell because “it’s confidential information”.

The girl who attended us at the Clothing Store was really nice too but there’s nothing interest to tell about it. At the second hand bookstore, we asked about the price of the books, because, we think that all the books have to be cheap, but the girl there, told us that they have books that costs over than thousand dollars, so thats a little bit weird, and, if you want to change a book for a one from the bookstore and if it is in good conditions you can have a discount to get a new one.

Also, the building is really nice, and it is almost covered by plants (You can see it on the picture below)

See you next time.!