On Wednesday I set foot on American soil for the first time since somewhere in the mid-1990s - a time when I sported a rather unflattering bowl-cut hairstyle and, when not in my school uniform, wore Global Hypercolour t-shirts and stonewash denim. Our lodging, the Ace in Belltown, was just the sort of hip hostel I'd been hankering after having spent countless nights in uncomfortable beds and under flaking ceilings over the years.
Our busy work schedule in Whistler meant we had only allowed ourselves 48 hours in the city: we embarked on a whistlestop tour of the sights, starting with at Experience Music Project, which was very hands-on, and the Science Fiction Museum, which wasn't. My hightlight was the display devoted to a pair of Jimi Hendrix's favourite guitars - unfortunately the extent of his presence in the Project, but for that short time at least I was rapt. Thanks to Microsoft co-founder Steve Allen for the abundance of memorabilia in each collection, and thanks to my girlfriend Anna for providing a steady drum beat while I jammed on the Fender guitars. Both attractions are housed in a fabulous Frank Gehry-designed building, featuring his trademark style, echoing the Guggenheim's iconic shape but infused with much more shimmering colour.
Seattle is a quirky city - walk along any given street in the centre and there will always be some curio or other to stop you and make you to ponder how such an oddity came to be so positioned. Below are just a few examples.
We reached the peak of the Space Needle at around a half-hour before sunset, and were in awe of the beautiful view of the illuminated bay:
So much to see in so little time. Things we will do when we next visit Seattle in May:
- Eat at the revolving restaurant at the top of the Space Needle
- Take a picture of the Seattle skyline to emulate the sillhouette from the opening credits of Frasier.
- Figure out how to use my camera properly and take better pictures at night-time.
- Try a lot more of the local beer.
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