Seattle

The first time I ever visited Seattle was when I was, I believe, 12 years old. My Auntie Julie was going to one of the hospitals there and we went with her to check it out. She needed a bone marrow transplant and I remember we wanted to make sure she had the best care possible.

It was the first time I remember seeing autumn leaves. The first time in full bloom the colors came to life in this way that captured the season I hadn't known growing up in California. The crispness of the air and the way the evergreens wet with rain made me feel so utterly alive. The mountains in the distance, the view from the Space Needle and the breeze upon my face as we walked around that city, impressed me.

I remember the lights downtown from the hotel window, when I passed up an Alanis Morrisette concert, who I absolutely loved at the time, so I could stay home with my Nana and watch TGIF (a friday night set of special programs). I didn't want to leave her alone. Maybe I felt like she needed me then; that trip was heavier than I had realized. Sometimes I regret not going to that concert but Im sure my Mom, Auntie Deb and Auntie Julie had an amazing time, and I was glad to be with my Nana.

I felt a resonance with Seattle that first visit, a feeling like I would need to live there some day. I even remember looking at colleges my junior year just a couple years after my Aunt had passed. Seattle would always leave an impression on me. Maybe it reminds me of her in some way.

Now back for a real visit I look upon the city with different eyes. After all its been about 18yrs. An entire voting adult life span of time. I still can't believe sometimes how long its been. And yet the affinity still feels the same in a way, only I have more more of a vocabulary of life experience to describe it.

The weather, which is always the first thing mentioned about the region, is wet and cold. Though it has not rained much since I've arrived, it is wet with a foggy mist, as if when traveling about you were a sailor constantly at sea. There are remnants of autumn, leaves fallen and scattered about like stragglers, plastered to the cement from the rain. They decompose in days like mulch into the city streets. This makes it feel like some occupied wonderland of nature, a city that overwhelmed a lush area of wilderness. When I close my eyes I like to think I can imagine what it looked like before.

It is so cold I should like it to snow just for the justification of feeling my own bones through my flesh, for I am not the kind of woman who can usually feel my bones. But it is the kind of cold you can get used to, with a hot beverage in hand and the right kind of attire. And everyone who is native to the area is wearing their level of tolerance to the cold. Some in shorts and t-shirts, others bundled up just as I, striding their penguin waddle in the brisk of the afternoon as the sun begins to fade.

Tonight I will curl up with Mel and Mel's friend Emily's cat Galahad, eat Thai curry soup and watch My So Called Life, as if we had lived here for years. Mel lived here about a year ago, and loved it. I can see why. There are amazing restaurants, cool shops, and fun things to do, as any big happening city would have. I've been trying to pinpoint a feeling surrounding the city, to engage with its psyche, to get an idea of the vibe. It reminds me in some ways of Chicago and Denver, if the two had a child, and that child was a water loving child that took up swimming and thought it was an orca whale.

The people here are kind, though inclusive to their established friend circles and communities. Though I have learned from my time in London that if you are somewhere for awhile you can really get to know people and make amazing friends. The people I have met here that are friends with Mel are really lovely people. I imagine it always takes time when you are somewhere new. What I appreciate is the ease of the atmosphere. You never feel like people are rushing, but you don't feel as if anyone is lazy. It's kind of a nice balance really.

We are staying at an apartment with an incredible view of the Space Needle, in Capitol Hill, which is considered the more Queer/Gay oriented district. Emily, who we are staying with is 25 year old native Washingtonian, who Mel met at Whole foods when he worked here. She is incredibly sweet and has made us feel extremely at home. So far we have explored this district as well as Downtown, some of The University District, Ballard, the Central District and today Fremont. I am surprised how large Seattle is, most of it feels suburban, as even the downtown parts pale in comparison to San Francisco's bustling streets and daily chaos.

We have eaten a variety of vittles, mostly vegan, all delicious, from various parts all over, gone to book stores, cute card shops full of nick knacks (odds and sods) and locally made goods.

Day One: Arrival, took the light rail to downtown, and then a bus to Emily's place. Dropped our stuff off and went to Anapurna, a Himalayan restaurant. Sat and talked got to know Emily. Came back to the apartment, snuggled with Galahad and watched the pilot of My So  Called Life (got Emily and Mel into it)

Day Two: Went to a couple book stores, Half Price Books and Elliot Bay Book Store. Read poetry, shared in good reads. Ate at In the Bowl. Went to Caffe Vita and met up with Melissa, one of Mel's oldest friends. Sat upstairs for a few hours talking, Emily and Jeremey (Melissa's husband) came to meet us there and then we branched off for dinner next door at Bimbos a mexican restaurant. Walked around got snacks and went home.

Day Three: Explored Ballard, saw where Mel worked (Bus drive by at Interbay Whole Foods) walked around a lot. Checked out all the cute shops. Went to Thai restaurant Jon Jay,
Played video games at gameworx for three hours. Dance Dance Revolution, Pool(Billards), Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Street Fighter, The japanese version of RockBand, Air hockey and basketball. So much fun. Sat on the sidewalk and had left overs and looked out at the city. Magic.

Day Four: Saw the Troll checked out Fremont, planned at Caffe Vita, adventure to mexican food, tried Flying Apron amazingness, gluten free and vegan baked goods, went home and snuggled.