I am a subscriber to the West Seattle Herald. I just sent this letter to the mayor, and I wanted to also submit it to you for editorial-page publication:

Last night my husband and I opted to take the bus to Qwest Field for the soccer game. It was an absolute disaster and an insult and embarrassment to both us and this city. How horrible was our experience?

1) The bus was 45 minutes late. How can the city even think of spending more money on light rail, monorail, trolleys, etc., when we can't even manage a bus system adequately?

2) The garbage can at the stop was overflowing and had spilled onto the sidewalk and into the street. Trash included several plastic bags with dog feces. It was absolutely disgusting - as in what you would expect to see in a third-world country. That high-traffic location is a health hazard and inexcusable for a city that collects such taxes as ours.

3) At Qwest Field, it took us 45 minutes to get into the arena. Tens of thousands of people were stuck outside, trying to squeeze in through two narrow entrances. There were nearly fights as people cut the line and pushed. Is anyone paying attention? - such conditions invite disaster. Although we got at the arena early, we did not get to our seats until 20 minutes into the game. And we paid $75 each ticket! Stupid is the only word for whoever is responsible for that mess.

I will never again take the bus into the city or attend an event at Qwest Field. As this has come to represent how idiotic our city has come to function, I refer to our experience last night as "Quintessentially Seattle."

Taryn Obaid

View Ridge