STORIES AT THE PANAMA HOTEL TEA AND COFFEE
11月
9日
BETWEEN 6TH AND MAYNARD ON MAIN STREET IN SEATTLE'S INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
It’s of significance to me because my father-in-law, Nisaburo Goto, once considered the Hashidate Japanese Bath in the Panama basement and the NP Hotel next door “Home”. There is a picture of him working as a bar tender at the Jackson Cafe hanging on the wall.
One Tuesday, Jan, the owner sat down with us to visit, and it flashed in my mind, “Why don’t we start a session of Stories at the Panama.” Jan got excited and commented, “Sunday is our slow day for the Tea and Coffee business.” It occurred to me, Sunday was also a day we could park free on the streets. We decided the first Sunday of each month between the hours of 11am to 1pm would be a good commitment. My granddaughter drew and made the flyers. Jan posted a sign on the entry door.
May 1st, 2022, was our first session and we had a dozen individuals join us to chat. One couple was from Australia, others were from North Carolina, Japan, New York and all over. The visitors did come from all corners of the world and it was fun to ask questions like, “Where did you grow up? Why and when did you come to Seattle? What is the story of your heritage?”
Sunday, November 6th was our seventh monthly session with another dozen of us or more. Cassidy was from England via Portland and was staying at the Panama Hotel to see a couple of the comedians in Bell Town. She had a Japanese boy friend inspiring her to learn more about Japan and Japanese.
Reed, a world traveler - having grown up in California - was with us with his girl friend, Emily, from Taiwan. She is at the U of W and enrolled in their Entrepreneurial Program. It was fun to hear her explain her life path and how her parents fell in love in Okinawa.
Jim and Karen met taking Japanese class at the U of W. Subsequently, they learned both their fathers were part of Boeing’s Space Program. Karen saw the Stories at the Panama sign on the front door and they also came to check out Jim’s, Mukai grandmother’s Koto - musical instrument, that is displayed in the entry window showcase. Karen also shared some about her family heritage from the coal mines of Pennsylvania.
Eric told us about his first job as an engineer at Boeing and his experience in selling the first Boeing 737s to Japan’s Nippon Airlines. He explained that it helped to have Japanese heritage, but having grown up in Kona, HI, he had to learn the Japanese way of doing business. He commented, “Most of the decision making was ‘getting to know each other like family’ and after business hours endeavors.”
The Panama Hotel Tea and Coffee is a gathering place and international crossroads of visitors of every age. Current business owners as well as former residents, of what was once considered Japan Town, come for coffee and lunch breaks. Several of us choose the location for business meetings.
Those of us interested in history, psychology and philosophy are finding it a lot of fun to share our own heritage and life stories as well as hearing from all walks of life. Stories can change how we think, change behaviors and add fulfillment for well being. Nothing like talking, asking questions, sharing and being inspired!
