explore the city i live in

Due to the wind, today was a very clear day. So much, that on my daily walk with my dog, I spotted the volcano Citlaltépetl, the highest peak in Mexico better known as the “Pico de Orizaba” (“Orizaba Peak”). It is about 100km east. Today there was an unobstructed view except by the hill of La Paz neighborhood, which adds to the landscape.

Also, I spotted my first, not one, but three eagles. Those were an everyday thing when I was living back in Puerto Morelos, but here is a rarity, as it’s the first time I’ve seen any in seven months that I’ve been here.

Hurricane’s Rick furiousness made up for some spectacular views of the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl.

“Don Goyo” (the Popo’s nickname) was exhaling fumes that looked quite venomous with the sunset rays.

“La Mujer Dormida” (the Sleeping Woman, the Izta’s nickname) was ethereally resting in a bed of clouds and surrounded by strokes of clouds “painted” by the hurricane.

Breathtaking.

I’ve wanted to check as done this goal before, but every time I think of it, I find myself in a new city…

Today, while making time for an appointment to see an apartment, I walked around an area that overlooks Lake Washington and the I-90 bridge.

Though I have passed through the car tunnel a few times, I never knew there was a bike tunnel, and with a charming balustrade overhead.

These are the little “digs” you discover while wandering around…

So today I finally decided to go to the Seattle Art Museum. I walk down Pine and stop at 6th for the pedestrian light to change, when I hear concert-like music coming from a block to my left. I spot a crowd and think Well, I might as well turn here and check it out.

As I get closer, I think These guys are really good. What is this going on here at the Sheraton? Maybe it’s a local band playing for some seminar... Traffic is still going through and there are crowds on both sides of the street.

Out of curiosity, I was just going to pass by. But the music caught me; they were ON!! So I get even closer and then they start playing “Get Down On It”. Thinking what a good cover it was and how good these guys were, I manage to bring myself to about 20 feet from the stage. I see the sign on the drum — my jaw just dropped! It was no less than Kool & The Gang THEMSELVES!!

OMG!! What? How? When? Where am I? — I grew up with their songs, and here they were outside a hotel lobby giving a free concert, and I just happened to be walking by! Crazy!!!

I still can’t digest this, so surreal!! I can’t imagine how many times they’ve played their songs and, yet, they played and danced as if it had been their first time! They were so good!! They danced spectacularly!! The rhythm and the atmosphere were so contagious!!

I stayed for the rest of the concert where they played their most famous hits including “Get Down On It”, “Ladies Night”, “Cherish”, and closing with “Celebration”.

After reflecting about today’s experience, I can only imagine how fans felt when The Beatles played unexpectedly on the roof of a building, or when U2 popped in the middle of LA… Two of my favorite bands — Wow!!

Of course, I never made it to the SAM…

On Airport Way (in an industrial zone in Seattle, out of the beaten path), a linked fence surrounds a bus depot. An eyesore as such could be deliberately ignored; if it had a wall, it might even have some graffiti on it.

Still, some very talented artist (or artists) decided to give this fence a twist with a very imaginative idea: inserting white “dots” in the holes of the fence and producing an image, like pointillism artists did in the 1800s —or like pixels produce images in our screens today.

We were driving by, and I could just catch two images of the entire fence (about four or five in total). Yet both images clearly depict what this art is about: Peace —and how serendipitous that just the past week we were Celebrating Peace Day :)

There’s a silver lining to most things in life, and today wasn’t the exception. I had an event at Seattle Center. Parking was a nightmare, and I ended up on the other side of the venue :S

Heading to the pavilion, I walked under the Space Needle and I looked up; the view almost knocked me over. The sky was almost pitch black, but it’s distinctively indigo. I love this structure from all its angles! It is so appealing. I wouldn’t have seen this view if I had found a parking spot around the corner ;)

I was taking a look at photos for this goal, and I totally forgot to post this anecdote:

Back in March, Spring had arrived, but the thermometer was just above 40°F outside. I was just about to cross a downtown street when, suddenly, a loud laughter caught my attention from above. On a window sill on a third or fourth floor, there was a woman talking to a guy who had his bare back to the street and his jeans not quite covering his butt!! I smiled and even giggled a bit. And then I thought to myself: “This is the good life in Seattle” :)

What a great goal to join!

I walk much around my neighborhood and do errands here and there, but Seattle is a city worth exploring MORE. Of course, I’ve seen the typical tourist spots, but every time I look around, I am mesmerized by its astonishing beauty even in the non-touristy places.

Two days ago, for example, I went to the recently-renovated Seattle Public Library. I went to check out a few books. It was my first time there, and I found myself enveloped by its amazing architecture, an oasis in the middle of downtown.

And now spring is here and, with better weather around the corner, I’m ready to walk around and explore it more…