Where are all the people?

Since arriving in the Bellevue/Redmond area I have been struck by the lack of people. Wherever I have gone it seems like the place was built for at least twice the number that are present, whether it be the shopping centers or restaurants. I wondered was it because:

  1. the others are soon to arrive
  2. half the people left

Now after traveling in to the conference for a couple of days and watching the local news I have the answer, It is option 1. - they are all stuck in traffic.

The traffic between the city in the Puget Sound area is bad, more a parking lot than a road system. I am glad our hotel is just a couple of blocks away from Microsoft Campus, 5 minutes irrespective of the time of day.