Seattle boomed as a town with the Klondike Stampede and people stocked up here before they headed to the Yukon to find gold. Few had struck it rich when the rush ended 1899, but a rich history remains and is visible. Lots of stories and memorablia.
Loving the look of Seattle
Spent most of the day in transit..SF to Seattle. Waiting in the airport, waiting on the runway and waiting to land! Very dry in CA, a historical drought, and certainly very brown from the air. Quite a contrast to the “Evergreen State” of Washington.
27 ° on arrival and a nice view down the street to the waterfront from our hotel door. More on that later! We have a room on the 29th floor out over the city and part of Puget Sound.
On Leaving North America
On Friday we left New York bound for Paris – on the way we overflew Boston (and the south of Ireland – Matt and Kat a few more days we’ll be there!). Flying over Boston reminded me of Denny Crane’s admonish to “live life big!” (Boston Legal) which to me summed up our experience of Canada and New York. Everything was big – the hospitality and welcomes, the mountains, the distances, the cars. The size and variety and sophistication of Manhattan, New Jersey, Philadelphia was a fantastic experience.
Broadway!
We made it today to see a play on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre (oldest theatre still active in NY) -play was “Inherit The Wind” starring Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy. Was great and we both really enjoyed the Broadway theatre experience including lunch at Sardi’s beforehand and drinks afterwards at The Alongquin- ambience!- a favoured haunt of literary lights and the theatre set. Jim was a superb host organising these experiences.
Busy and exciting days
No time for blogs the last few days!
Has been very exciting catching up with my host family from AFS days – I last saw them all in 1976 – and also we have enjoyed a BDO in Manhattan, and a visit to Philadelphia.
After 31 years it’s hard to describe the feeling of catching up with family! It’s been great! All the family are now living within about 2 hours of each other here in New Jersey and Philadelphia. As you can imagine a fair bit of talking, reminiscing and picture-taking. We all look a little different of course. While in Philadelphia we visited the Liberty Bell – symbol of the fight for freedom and a reminder that liberties gained can also be lost.
New Jersey
An early start today- 4.30am to get to the airport for our flight to Newark. A wee delay as we were detained by customs as we left Canada but still time to enjoy the Maple Lounge and then the 1 1/2 hour flight.
Great to see Dawn, my host sister, again after 31 years and to meet her husband Jim. Lots of catching up on family news, photos and old friends.