Seattle was the next city we were visiting and, just like Portland, I was very much looking forward to seeing this site as well. I knew Seattle was known for its rather gloomy weather, what with its dark skies and near-constant rain, but the weather for the weekend was looking up. It was going to be sunny and warm in our time in Seattle, so I was excited to make the most of it.
The first thing I noticed about Seattle was its gorgeous skyline. Punctuated by the iconic Space Needle (more on that later), the skyline was laden with buildings seemingly miles tall and the beautiful Lake Seattle at its foot, providing it with the feel of a marina. Not many cities can boast a similar contrast, with the lake separating suburbia from the city, and Seattle pulls it off well. In between our numerous visits in Seattle, I got a nice chance to explore the city and all its quirks it had to offer. I was within 100 yards of Safeco Field, where the Mariners play, and as an avid baseball fan, I found it wild how I was so close to a place I never really saw myself ever being near. Whenever I would see Mariners games on TV, that stadium always felt so far, like on another side of the world, but here I was, right next to it. In regards to the Seattle sports scene in conjunction with the city, it was truly staggering to see how much of the city embraced the "12th Man" moniker given to Seahawks fans. I counted north of 20 flags with the number 12 on it during my time at Seattle, a clear representation of the airtight relationship the city has with its team.
Seattle as a city reminded me like New York City lite. It had that "big city feel" that NYC is known for, but did not seem to suffocate you. There were areas outside of downtown where you could relax, like the Chihuly Garden. The city had something for everybody. The part of the city I was most looking to incapture was of course, as a tourist, the Space Needle.
The Space Needle was to Seattle what the Empire State Building was to New York City. Standing at 605 feet, the Needle has come to represent the city of Seattle since 1961 when it first opened at the World Fair. As someone that is afraid of heights, I was stunned I was utterly terrified of venturing up the Needle. Maybe the fact that it was nighttime helped, because I was more excited than spooked. Upon taking that smooth, ascending elevator to the top of the structure, I was greeted with a view out of a National Geographic show. The lights of Seattle, signalling the buzzing activity and movement of the city, shone like beacons from atop the Needle. The highways were streams of business, with cars making the long trek home. I could not help from atop the Needle to be amazed by just how many people in their own individual lives there were. Each light represented a person, and each person had something specific going on, but it all felt so small. I took a multitude of pictures from atop the Needle, and circled it maybe a dozen times before finally making landfall again. It was an experience and a view I would never forget.
The city of Seattle is one I would love to see again, this time in its natural state. Our class was blessed with fantastic weather during our stay, but next time I come, I want to do so when it rains. Seattle is a city that is characterized by its rain, and I want to be able to take my next Link light rail train with stormy skies and a better idea of the town as it normally functions.
The first thing I noticed about Seattle was its gorgeous skyline. Punctuated by the iconic Space Needle (more on that later), the skyline was laden with buildings seemingly miles tall and the beautiful Lake Seattle at its foot, providing it with the feel of a marina. Not many cities can boast a similar contrast, with the lake separating suburbia from the city, and Seattle pulls it off well. In between our numerous visits in Seattle, I got a nice chance to explore the city and all its quirks it had to offer. I was within 100 yards of Safeco Field, where the Mariners play, and as an avid baseball fan, I found it wild how I was so close to a place I never really saw myself ever being near. Whenever I would see Mariners games on TV, that stadium always felt so far, like on another side of the world, but here I was, right next to it. In regards to the Seattle sports scene in conjunction with the city, it was truly staggering to see how much of the city embraced the "12th Man" moniker given to Seahawks fans. I counted north of 20 flags with the number 12 on it during my time at Seattle, a clear representation of the airtight relationship the city has with its team.
Seattle as a city reminded me like New York City lite. It had that "big city feel" that NYC is known for, but did not seem to suffocate you. There were areas outside of downtown where you could relax, like the Chihuly Garden. The city had something for everybody. The part of the city I was most looking to incapture was of course, as a tourist, the Space Needle.
The Space Needle was to Seattle what the Empire State Building was to New York City. Standing at 605 feet, the Needle has come to represent the city of Seattle since 1961 when it first opened at the World Fair. As someone that is afraid of heights, I was stunned I was utterly terrified of venturing up the Needle. Maybe the fact that it was nighttime helped, because I was more excited than spooked. Upon taking that smooth, ascending elevator to the top of the structure, I was greeted with a view out of a National Geographic show. The lights of Seattle, signalling the buzzing activity and movement of the city, shone like beacons from atop the Needle. The highways were streams of business, with cars making the long trek home. I could not help from atop the Needle to be amazed by just how many people in their own individual lives there were. Each light represented a person, and each person had something specific going on, but it all felt so small. I took a multitude of pictures from atop the Needle, and circled it maybe a dozen times before finally making landfall again. It was an experience and a view I would never forget.
The city of Seattle is one I would love to see again, this time in its natural state. Our class was blessed with fantastic weather during our stay, but next time I come, I want to do so when it rains. Seattle is a city that is characterized by its rain, and I want to be able to take my next Link light rail train with stormy skies and a better idea of the town as it normally functions.