Visiting our sister
Trip Start
Sep 05, 2007
1
Trip End
Sep 08, 2007
Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
We both agreed that a straight trip to Canada would be tiring to do in one straight trip. Then we found out that Stefan had recieved free hotel points from his job sent him to Ohio. So we decided to take a free night in/ near Seattle. We weren't sure what we were going to do there. I had been there a little over a year ago and he was preoccupied when he went there. But we were on our way to what we considered our sister city. Why is it our sister city? Because we are very similiar; both cities were lively, packed with people and a high tourist attraction, yet the aren't the capital. We also support/ cheer for their baseball team, the Marieners, because we don't have one.
Before we got there we decided to make connections with one of Stefan's friends, Pete, who lives near the Seattle area, and has traveled it enough to know what he was doing. And we were very thankful. There is also a sort of sibling rivalry when it comes to our two cities. There are also huge differences in driving. Portlanders are considered slow drivers because we let everyone in and enter a freeway going five miles under the speed limit (not personally). Washingtonians cut everyone off and tailgate the person in front of them. So I was very relieved when we didn't have to drive downtown.
We visited Pikes Market Place, where you can visit the first Starbucks ever made (but I don't like Starbucks. And I've been there before.) But the market is great none the less. A lot of local farmers selling their goods. People throwing fish and others taking pictures and blocking everyones path. We also visited a brewery that had delicious burgers, the drinks I cannot relay because of the age issue. We also visited the market, the mall, and ate at the cheese cake factory, very fattening. The entire time I was there though, I kept comparing Portland to Seattle. How in Portland pedistrians fill the streets when there are no cars, but in Seattle everyone waits for the signal. In Seattle they had a few electric busses, but not a lot of bikes. Most of all, Seattle has tax, and Portland doesn't.
There is something that you notice when you are in Seattle, and that is the builiding all look relatively new. I was displeased by this, only because I like historical buildings and what mark they left on the society. However what sets Seattle apart from Portland, is their underground
city. I have yet to go under but I am still interested in it none the less. If you didn't know, the city of Seattle was actually destroyed in 1889 when it was burned during the great Seattle Fire. Instead of moving everything out and starting all over, they built on top of their city. Now, underground tours are given. Being that I never remember to check before I leave, I always make it after the last tour of the day.
Another thing about Seattle that I find astonishing and that everyone should know, is that Seattle has an interchangeable expresslane on the free way. Unless someone tells you, you will never notice. But during morning and evening traffic, there is a center lane that is for carpooling with three people or more, busses, and motorcycles. In the morning, this lane is open to people commuting to downtown Seattle. In the evening, it is open to commuters out of Seattle. It was brilliant! But the traffic was still bad, and when you think about it, you realize how many people are communting as a single. It was quite sad to someone who supports green living. Our hotel was nice to go to that evening, mainly because it was our first day on vacation and everything was just sinking in.
In reflection: I've been to Seattle before, and when I go back there are two things I'm going to do. Visit the underground Seattle, and see a Marieners game.
