Busy in Seattle

A SASS (The Society for Advancement of Scandinavian Studies) conference made me wake up very early on one Thursday morning and fly to the other side of the country. After this 6-hour flight you wouldn't necessarily think that you're still in the same country. But there I was, in Seattle, Washington, with the merciful -3 hours time difference.

The first impression of the city was that it's like Helsinki with its windy straight streets, rainy weather and many people with a deep interest in music. (I read from LonelyPlanet that the suicide rates are also very high in that part of the country.) The architecture in the city is outstanding and brave, and new. Like the building below, it stands on one massive concrete foot and makes you think how steadily can one do that?

But the pride of the city must be this remarkable building here, one of the Seattle Public Libraries, the Seattle Central Library. We went there to listen to the interesting lecture about using film in language teaching by Mikko Taurama and Sirpa Tuomainen from Berkeley University.



The interior of the library made me think of some modern art museum.

In addition to the buildings there are many sculptors in the Seattle streetview.

Jimmy Hendrix has his own, since he came from Seattle.

Seafood is known to be very good in Seattle (one more link to the Helsinki likeness). We tried one of the fanciest seafood restaurants, which was maybe visible on the bill but it wasn't That extraordinary. Sealife has also inspired the designers in the city...



Many people bike in the city, which people like us, who love to take their red folding bikes and speed in the Central Park, find really nice.



After a 3-day trip I think I prefer the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle. They have lots of small record stores and second hand shops. Plus this lovely Bauhaus café.


Public Market is the place to get fresh flowers, fish, wild cherries covered with chocolate or a pair of earrings made by a guy who had a Finnish girlfriend in the 70's and spent three weeks studying Russian in Finland. Kitos palion!


One cannot avoid noticing the Space needle, which has a restaurant on the top of it. Although one salesman told us not to eat there. So we just took a picture of it.


Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum are located in this interestingly glowing building. One member of our group visited it and told that the EMP really gave the chance to try and experience all the instruments. So all the parents who are hesitating which instrument to choose for their kid to play, make a visit there before!


There were many photogenic persons around the International Fountain. No one got wet though.




I like the idea how Seattlers seem to appreciate art, design and nature. This Olympic Sculpture Park is situated right next to a noisy motorway, but still one can relax walking or resting there.


And finally, the store windows revealed some interesting details, like this butterfly dress


or these whippets!


This is for dad, who had his birthday in April. The police officer sends his greetings.


As on our trip to SF, so did the airplane trip give now a glimps on some American countryside that we haven't really experienced here. Those round man-made fields look attractive.

Dear reader, if you're interested in what I learned in the conference, just make a comment and ask. Now, we're off to bike in Central park!

E.