Seattle
Seattle was a whole lot of fun. The restaurants, stores, people were all great.
It's a very self conscious city -- not in the sense that the people are all self-concerned, but more in the way that the city is concerned with its own. We were given the opportunity to perform there through the efforts of the Center for Career Alternatives. They provide education and support to kids and adults looking to complete their education, and find a career. At-risk kids who may have had disciplinary action can go there to develop better classroom skills and hopefully return to the school system better equipped to survive and succeed. Adults are given training and assistance with securing jobs.
The city does a good job of supporting local music and art. There's a well sustained music scene that I was glad to see has survived pillaging by the music industry in the early 90's. The Seattle Art Museum is heavier on Modern and Contemporary art than classic works, and many of the artists shown there are local artists. I didn't get out to see as much live music as I wanted, but I did get to check out the museum. Part of the festival we performed at was the awards presentation for an art contest for elementary and middle school children. Some of the works were on display, and these kids were absolutely gifted. It was hard to believe such young people created some of the paintings that were displayed.
It's a very green city in both the literal and figurative sense. I guess it's hard to ignore the environment when you live in a place that has such a beautiful natural setting. Puget Sound looked amazing no matter what time of day we saw it. We probably crossed or drove around its edge at least 3 times a day. Everyone seemed very environmentally conscious, and it seemed very well integrated into the infrastructure of the city. Then again, I was only there for 4 days, so I only know what I saw.
I thought I was going to see Microsoft's stamp all over the city, but though the presence of such a big corporation is known and felt strongly, it's not as obtrusive as I'd thought. The same goes for Starbuck's. Though there were plenty of them, I don't think there were any more or less than any other city. I did go to the original store for coffee a few times. The difference was the logo was less polished, and you could see the Mermaid's breasts. Woohoo.
I recognize that it's not all wonderful up there, though. There were a lot of homeless people, and a pretty easily seen drug culture in the city. You could be walking down a good street and have it turn pretty quickly to a place you didn't quite feel safe anymore.
Things I did:
Ate at Kona Kitchen - owned by Yuji Okumoto. He was in LA at the time we visited, but we had a great dinner and met his family.
Pike Place Market, complete with the "Fish Throwing Guys".
Rode the monorail. (It was connected to our hotel -- the Mayflower Plaza Hotel.
Went to the Seattle Art Musem. (It had just reopened this weekend.)
Ate at Pegasus Pizza Co. (Was gud, and we got to see the sunset over Puget Sound from our table.)
Saw some great views of the city.
Drank.
Things I need to go back to do:
Drank.
See the EMP and Sci-Fi Museum
Drank.
See some live music.
Drank.
See a football game at UW.
Had a great time. Thanks to our hosts: Edymir, Ric, and Mari. I'm definitely going to go back there someday.
It's a very self conscious city -- not in the sense that the people are all self-concerned, but more in the way that the city is concerned with its own. We were given the opportunity to perform there through the efforts of the Center for Career Alternatives. They provide education and support to kids and adults looking to complete their education, and find a career. At-risk kids who may have had disciplinary action can go there to develop better classroom skills and hopefully return to the school system better equipped to survive and succeed. Adults are given training and assistance with securing jobs.
The city does a good job of supporting local music and art. There's a well sustained music scene that I was glad to see has survived pillaging by the music industry in the early 90's. The Seattle Art Museum is heavier on Modern and Contemporary art than classic works, and many of the artists shown there are local artists. I didn't get out to see as much live music as I wanted, but I did get to check out the museum. Part of the festival we performed at was the awards presentation for an art contest for elementary and middle school children. Some of the works were on display, and these kids were absolutely gifted. It was hard to believe such young people created some of the paintings that were displayed.
It's a very green city in both the literal and figurative sense. I guess it's hard to ignore the environment when you live in a place that has such a beautiful natural setting. Puget Sound looked amazing no matter what time of day we saw it. We probably crossed or drove around its edge at least 3 times a day. Everyone seemed very environmentally conscious, and it seemed very well integrated into the infrastructure of the city. Then again, I was only there for 4 days, so I only know what I saw.
I thought I was going to see Microsoft's stamp all over the city, but though the presence of such a big corporation is known and felt strongly, it's not as obtrusive as I'd thought. The same goes for Starbuck's. Though there were plenty of them, I don't think there were any more or less than any other city. I did go to the original store for coffee a few times. The difference was the logo was less polished, and you could see the Mermaid's breasts. Woohoo.
I recognize that it's not all wonderful up there, though. There were a lot of homeless people, and a pretty easily seen drug culture in the city. You could be walking down a good street and have it turn pretty quickly to a place you didn't quite feel safe anymore.
Things I did:
Ate at Kona Kitchen - owned by Yuji Okumoto. He was in LA at the time we visited, but we had a great dinner and met his family.
Pike Place Market, complete with the "Fish Throwing Guys".
Rode the monorail. (It was connected to our hotel -- the Mayflower Plaza Hotel.
Went to the Seattle Art Musem. (It had just reopened this weekend.)
Ate at Pegasus Pizza Co. (Was gud, and we got to see the sunset over Puget Sound from our table.)
Saw some great views of the city.
Drank.
Things I need to go back to do:
Drank.
See the EMP and Sci-Fi Museum
Drank.
See some live music.
Drank.
See a football game at UW.
Had a great time. Thanks to our hosts: Edymir, Ric, and Mari. I'm definitely going to go back there someday.