Exploring and Adventures ~ in Seattle!

Chihuly Exhibit - Seattle, WA



We were fortunate enough recently to go to Seattle Washington.  My husband had a conference and of course, I just "had" to tag along.  As an artist, this was a wonderful city, full of sensory sights, sounds, smells. 

It was a such a contrast of cultures and environments.  We stayed downtown and we walked everywhere.  One minute we would see high-end stores such as Nordstom, Ben Bridge Jewelers, many others that I'm sure I can't even remember the names of.  Executives making their way through the busy streets and on with their day.  A couple of blocks away, we saw homeless people, disabled people, sitting on the streets with signs asking for money.  I wanted to just sit down and talk to each and every one of them.  I wanted to ask them what their story was and how they had gotten to that place.  I myself, think that personally, I am only one or two moves away from being in that very same place.  We all know life is full of twists and turns and who knows what will happen.  Did they have a career that was demolished by the big recession?  Did they lose all they had during that time?  Did they have enormous medical bills that weren't covered by insurance that left them out on the streets?  Do they have mental health issues - the kind that we're all afraid to talk openly about?  To be honest, I was not brave enough to sit and speak with these people.  I didn't know how they would feel about me approaching them and asking about their stories.  How would I feel if I were in their position if a complete stranger wanted to know how I had ended up on the street?  I guess it would depend.  Nonetheless, it made me so much more aware of the people that are homeless and suffering in our own Country.  Made me want to do something to make a difference.  I haven't quite figured out what it will be yet, but I will do something.

Homeless by the River

In stark contrast to the tragedy of homelessness in Seattle, that part of the Country and the City itself is really beautiful.

Seattle Skyline

It is layered with so many rich textures and colors.  A feast for the eyes and I couldn't get enough of the sites, sounds, and smells.  Yes, we had sunshine while we were there!


Musician Playing by the Space Needle
 

We took a ferry out to Bainbridge Isand.  Loved the ride over to the island.  Sunshine and cool breeze coming off the water.




Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island



We walked all over downtown and I took some pretty cool "arsty" shots.  Also got to peruse some antique shops and found some really old hymnals to use in some of my mixed media pieces.

 

Another really, really cool thing we did was visit the EMP Museum by the Space Needle.  It had musical tributes to Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Kobain.  I was snapping this photo of a photo of Jimi and somehow it blurred, but I'm so glad it did.  I LOVE IT!

 

Below is a picture of a guitar that Jimi doodled on before one of his shows and then he smashed it ~ like a sacrifice to the music he was playing.

 

The picture of the "angel" below is one of the props Kurt Cobain used on stage at his concerts.  It kind of gave me a strange, sad feeling looking at his exhibit.  So many great artists that are lost too soon.

The trip was a crazy good experience, both a mixture of happy and sad.  During our trip was also the time that Robin Williams passed away.  Depression is a misunderstood, so-alone feeling, but I'll save that for another blog. 

I'm so glad we got to go on this trip.  Making memories and having new adventures, but also seeing the basic realities of life for others.  Feeling extreme gratitude for my life and my situation.  No matter how bad the day seems, it could be worse and it IS worse for so many others.  From the homeless on the streets of Seattle, to the people suffering in silence like Robin Williams was.  Keeping these people and these families in my thoughts and prayers for now ~ and always.