Seattle is very much a city where you still feel connected to nature.Seattle gave me the type of weather the city is so famous for...rain, grayness...IT WAS A PLACE THAT CONSTANTLY MADE ME LAUGH – IN A GOOD WAY…THE SCENERY HAD A WAY OF MAKING ME SIGH WITH CONTENTMENT.
Not to be melodramatic, but I’ve battled with the feeling of constantly swimming upstream since I moved to Germany in 2010. Once I arrived back from Seattle, though, I felt refreshed and more accepting of different cultures and ways of life . I guess all I needed was a little break and a little more travel. Seattle is a place I can see myself going back to, time and time again.
First time When you’re in Seattle’s downtown, it’s a city that feels like any other. There are massive buildings, sidewalks filled with people, the smells and noise of traffic. And yet, walk on over to Alaskan Way or even First Avenue and you’ll be at the water, the Puget Sound to be specific.
Seattle Is a City of Neighborhoods Capitol Hill, Ballard, the U District, Rainier Beach, Greenwood, Fremont, Beacon Hill, Georgetown, Green Lake, Columbia City, First Hill, Queen Anne, Lake City. Seattle’s neighborhoods are distinct and microcosmic, each with its own personality, culture and independent coffee shop.
Seattle Is Extremely HillyIt is built along an extremely steep hill,which means almost wherever you goyou’re likely to do some serious climbing.
THE SKY ABOVE, EARTH BELOW MEAND MIRACLES WITHIN ME
During my staying I had the chance to experience the most breathtakingly international and domestic flights ever, I flew alongside Mt Jefferson, Mt Hood, Mt Adams, Mt. St Helen’s and right over the top of Mt. Rainier. Witnessing such a wonder, is a quintessential Pacific Northwest moment. Moments such as these, the flight above those pristine skies and above majestic heights and peaks restores your idea of miracles. It’s really easy to believe in God up there.
LAND OF PIRATES?
Seattle is the place where the decision was made. I just looked to one of my first manager and said: “You know what? I’m gonna be a pirate after all. A Captain if possible, savvy?!” When you visit Downtown, Seattle definitely has and inspiring buccaneer style and way of life. If you are in Seattle, Washington, and need to get a pirate fix, Pirates Plunder is the place to visit. This unique shop is located at 1301 Alaskan Way, which is right on Pier 57. Pirates Plunder carries everything from costumes, to stuff friends for children, to drinking glasses, and the must have Jolly Rogers. Two steps away from the Seattle Great Wheel.
Feeling Chilly? Have a Bowl of Pho. I had a cold only once in Seattle, for 4 days, and I guess it’s because I moved when it was almost time for the changing of the seasons. To the uninitiated: pho is a Vietnamese soup filled with rice noodles, meat, vegetables and herbs. It’s the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold day.
My first Vietnamese experience was t’s kinda random/ I went to Pearl Bistro, taste of Vietnam, now called Xi’AN Noodles, two steps away from my place.
I didn’t understand them, They didn’t understand me, which worked out perfectly fine. The U-District is the real international cove. Place where to be if you are young, wild and reckless. Cheaper than any other place to rent. (Seattle is super expensive). I had the best time of my life in the neighborhood.
I learned my way “to save money and have bring great quality food back home” at Safeway in 4732 Brooklyn Ave NE and I made friends with the entire staff. I became member of the YMCA gym and created great memories all along the university way. Life moves fast in your 20s and 30s, with my friends from the DIT we changed environment, atmosphere, place, people and vibes almost in the blink of an eye.
I found myself hanging out with friends in great places such as Ray’s Boathouse & Café on the Seaview Ave NW, with a glorious view of the Sound and the Ship Canal ,watching water traffic, everything from barges to sail boats to yachts and paddle boards.
We sat outside on the deck, and just a couple of hours after we were chilling at some dark/charming cavern also known as “bar” such as the Kracken, the Mars Bar, The Monkey Bar and Dante with drunk guys, drunk girls, lost of stories and fun. In this area it’s really easy to go from being a neat guy to the “Ill skewer yer gizzard, ye salty sea bass… Avast!” kind. Seattle is land of Pirates. To experience Seattle to the fullest, you need to loosen up.
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE IS WHERE NATURAL WONDERSMEET A WORLD-CLASS URBAN CENTER
Post Alley is Seattle’s most charming street. Don’t ask me why but it’s a sequel of places that recall in my mind Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley. Downtown is a magic place. The center of Seattle is home to E-V-E-R-Y-THING from glassy skyscrapers to historic brick buildings.
Seattle in a Nutshell:"EAT | PLAY | LOVE"
Things you can’t miss out once you make it to Seattle. For a true taste of the city, there’s no better place to start your trip than at Pike Place Market, do not forget your delicious little treats made by Chukar Cherries. These guys specialize in chocolate covered cherries. Chukar cherries are the heavenly offspring of multiple different types of chocolates and the beautiful fruit that so delicately hangs from cherry trees in the Yakima Valley, gracing the very air that they occupy.
If you’ve ever been around cherry trees on a sunny day, there’s probably nothing that reminds you more of the beautiful things on this earth. How do you possibly make something so regal even better? You put some boss chocolate on it! That’s exactly what they’ve done here, and it is as good as it gets. The folks here are experts at letting you try things, and even if you don’t buy, so make sure you know that they are happy that you are there! Even if you are not hungry
Seafood is predictably the cuisine of choice while gazing out at the glistening waters of Elliott Bay. You can enjoy some really good salmon at The Salmon Cooker or fish and chips at Ivar’s Pier 54 Fish Bar. The Fishermen’s Bar and The Crab Pot is an iconic eating experience, where seafood feasts are poured right onto the table, personally my favorite places to be. To get a different perspective of the waterfront, head up in the Seattle Great Wheel or set sail. Washington State Ferries take you to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island, while Argosy Cruises boats explore the shoreline of Elliott Bay.
A great adventure in the waiting if you are looking for a cruise alternative. Seattle to Alaska is a huge cruise business; It’s a combination of tourists, people moving to Alaska, some fishermen, people going to Alaska for work, opportunists, adventurists, retired folks.
Enjoy yourself, Discover The Gum Wall, where a zillion wads of gum are stuck to the outside of the brick walls, head downstairs, next to Old Seattle Paperworks, and deposit two quarters into a peep show. What you will see, when the curtain opens, is some of the largest human shoes ever made. Don’t ask why, just stare in amazement.
No Umbrella to see what makesSeattle such an exciting urban city.
SEATTLE IS EASY TO NAVIGATEWITH A WIDE VARIETY OF SMARTTRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Travel by Rail: Looking to travel to or from Seattle via rail? Four train routes service Seattle’s King Street Station, located on the south edge of downtown. Amtrak has three routes: Coast Starlight travels between Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. Amtrak Cascades travels between Vancouver, BC; Seattle; Tacoma; Portland; Salem and Eugene. Empire Builder travels between Chicago; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Spokane; Portland; and Seattle.
Link Light Rail makes trips from Angle Lake Station to the University of Washington through downtown Seattle making 14 stops along the way, including downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. Trains arrive every 6 to 15 minutes. One-way fare for adults ranges from $2.25 to $3.25
King County Metro Transit: provides bus service in downtown Seattle and outlying neighborhoods in King county. Very Cheap!
Seattle Streetcars it makes 11 stops through the South Lake Union area. Streetcars arrive every 10-15 minutes and run from 6am to 9pm (Monday-Thursday), 6am to 11pm (Friday & Saturday), and 10am to 7pm (Sunday & holidays). Adult fare is $2.50.
YELLOW CAB Taxis and ride-sharing companies (Uber, Lyft, & Sidecar) are available. I’ve got great rates for my rides from the U-District to the Waterfront (usually 12$/15$) with Yellow Cab, which you easily call +1 206-622-6500
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