Seattle: Home of Hendrix, Grunge and Horrible Weather

I was both sad and excited to leave Vancouver and head out solo onto the open road to Seattle.

I rather enjoyed the changing scenery from Vancouver, across the border, into the United States. I have definitely done my fair share of road trips in Australia and I noticed a significant difference - there is always something to look at. America is a very full place and even in rural areas there is notable hustle and bustle through small towns. I most liked those typical big red farm barns, dotted across the landscape, as featured in many horror films and sci-fis.

Seattle was a great city but bloody cold, and home to many really really weird people. My hostel was located opposite the fabulous Pike Markets which were fresh produce, fish and meat markets that also had many great treasures scattered amongst the usual touristy stuff. The markets lead down to an intricate maze of corridors and stairs with many little shops and stalls along the way. I visited the markets quite a few times and always came across new and interesting wares. The Pike Markets were some of the best markets I have visited, although I wish the prices were more comparable to some of the markets I have visited in Asia.

A visit to the Seattle Space Needle was necessary and offered amazing views of the city. The needle is basically just a really tall thing poking out of the city that has no real purpose. It was built for a World Fair in the 60's and has since had a restaurant built inside the top bit, but basically it doesn't do anything except provide another activity for tourists.

Near the Needle is the Experience Music Project - one of my favourite Seattle sites. The EMP has an amazing collection of music memorabilia that reflects Seattle's amazing musical history. Including an entire wing dedicated to Jimmi Hendrix featuring hand written letters to his family and stage costumes. There were many items from Seattle's grunge era, including Kurt Cobain's (Nirvana) Guitar, and Pearl Jam records. Hand written Nirvana and Presidents of the United States lyrics were also pretty impressive. The EMP also has a large Disney section, where I saw the original hand written score to 'whole new world' from the Aladdin movie as well as some of the costumes worn in Mary Poppins, one of the coolest movies of all time.

I was really impressed with a gaming arcade in Seattle that I visited in Seattle, that included a game that required a harness. I was hesitantly strapped in to the game that launched me unexpectedly into the air every time my 'balloon' shot upwards. The screen was about 10 metres tall and that is how high i was launched each time the balloon on the screen was inflated. This was a little different from the crocodile whacking game and air hockey I am used to from arcades back home.

I also went along to the famous Seattle underground tour. According to the tourguide who led us through a series of underground passages, Seattle is currently built one level above ground level. The city used to exist on the ground level until it burnt down. Due to regular problems with tides flooding the town, after the fire, the city was built above the ground. The roads were filled in with dirt, and the first floors of buildings became basements. What is left are the passages that are the voids where footpaths used to be. We saw a few remnants of the old city as well as some of the old shop fronts before the city was raised.

I really enjoyed Seattle, particularly learning about its incredible past, particularly its musical past. While there I met two fabulous English girls to travel with.

Next stop San Francisco

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