Lomography

Downtown Seattle
written by strangelilgirl on October 29th, 2008 , 4 comments (2 votes)

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Grunge music, perpetual rain, the foundation of today’s most popular coffee…step foot in downtown Seattle and you’ll find it all, whether it’s coming from the music of street performers, the freshly brewed aromas at Pike Place Market, or the feel of your sweatshirt hood pulled against your face. These are things commonly associated with Seattle, even for people who’ve never been there before. But what I got from visiting this city was more than what could be contained in any amount of cliches combined.

I’ve only been there once, for a road trip to see Silver chair when they played at the Show box (located on 1st Ave and very easy to find). The instant you find a parking spot and emerge onto the streets, you are hit with a feeling I can only describe as familiarity. There’s no intimidation that many huge cities may emit, but still you aren’t bored either. There’s an “oh yeah, I know this place” kind of vibe that makes you feel warm and relaxed just being there. The bustling vendors at Pike Place sell flowers and tie-dye clothing, but they aren’t pushy or loud, and there’s no hectic “gotta go here,” “gotta get this done” feeling that usually comes along with big, busy cities. The musicians found on many street corners seem there just as much to please you as they are to make money. The guys that throw the fish will make you smile no matter how many times you watch them do it. And yes, the coffee is delicious and soothing.

A customer that I wait on often at the restaurant I work at recently spoke of hoping to go to Seattle soon. He said his favorite thing to do there is buy a ticket for the ferry, without any particular destination in mind, and watch the Seattle skyline get smaller as he rides out into the water. I can’t wait to experience this myself: I imagine sitting on the ferry while the sun is setting, pretending to squish the tall buildings in between my two fingers and feeling completely content right where I am at.