Day 17: Comfort Food and Retail Therapy

I decided the best way to survive my stay was by not being in the hotel as much as possible. In the morning, I did a little stock trading, then started getting ready to head out when I heard a knock on my door. Two men stood there saying they needed to clean the A/C. I remembered seeing a note taped to my door when I checked in last night, but I thought it was for next week.

Soon enough, the entire floor was alive with barking dogs—clearly, this wing of the hotel was the “dog wing.” The A/C cleaning was quick, but the barking chaos lingered. Once they finished, I took it as my cue to escape.

I needed comfort food. A quick search led me to an authentic Hong Kong–style noodle shop, farther away than I expected, but worth the drive. A bowl of wonton noodles and a side of porridge hit exactly the right spot. Warm, simple, familiar.

Afterward, I wandered into another REI. Retail therapy never fails me, and I found some cute new bags that might help me stay organized—always a challenge when living out of the car. The combination of good food and a little shopping reset my mood.

That night, I slept surprisingly well. Tomorrow, I plan to give Vancouver, WA another chance. I reached out to my friend—the guardian of Molly—and asked if I could use the dog wash at his apartment. Max definitely needs a bath; he’s been stinky for days. The plan is set: a clean pup, a new spot to sleep (hopefully an Airbnb or decent hotel), and maybe a fresh start across the river.