Seattle, August 4, 2013

Off on another adventure, this time to Seattle, Washington to see Alexandra. I had an early morning flight for which I had spent some of my American Advantage mileage. My flight on Alaska Airlines was a simple non-stop and I was actually in first class for the first time ever, enjoying a breakfast of scrambled eggs, fruit, and potatoes, washed down with cranberry juice and coffee. On the way I alternated reading my "National Geographic Traveler" with looking out my window, as the scene outside was constantly changing as we traversed flatlands aand mountainous landscapes. We arrived in Seattle on time, at about 10:00 a.m., and Alexandra was waiting for me at baggage claim. It is so good to see her, and she has grown into such a confident, beautiful young woman. Within a few minutes of meeting me, she told me that unfortunately she had not been hired for the job at the Play Company that she so wanted. It was dismaying to hear, but she did not seem too wrecked about it and seemed ready to take on a continued search for employment. I am proud of her for such an attitude, as I would not have been so sanguine. Our first stop once we left the airport was at Bakery Nouveau, where the line of customers snaked out the door. They are known to be one of the best restaurants in Seattle, and have incredible pastries and sandwiches. Alexandra had a smoked chicken salad sandwich on a brioche, and I had a BLT on a baguette, which was absolutely scrumptious and featured, besides the bacon, lettuce, and tomato, mozzarella cheese. We washed it all down with a blood orange San Pellegrino, and, as the sandwiches were large, took the leftovers home. Alexandra and her roommate Margo live in the Fremont section of Seattle, slightly northwest of downtown Seattle. They are up on the fourth floor. Outside their apartment door and to the right they have a deck where, in the future, I can see some nice lawn furniture. Then you step into the apartment, which has a kitchen newly provisioned with appliances; two bedrooms, one bath, a fabulous living room with an amazing view of downtown Seattle, with a whole wall full of windows to allow light to stream in. They have a skylight in the kitchen as well, so there are quite a few sources of light. The girls have been very diligent about furnishing their new space, and it is quite beautiful already. Of course I saw a few areas where I might be able to assist, and those I fulfilled later in the day. But for the moment, I gave Margo a housewarming gift (loose Indian tea), and had Alexandra unwrap her gifts I had brought her from Israel (a gorgeous, multicolored scarf and some eau de cologne); from Jordan (a beautiful pashmina shawl); and cat earrings from York's Cat Gallery, as well as two birthday cards, as her BD is coming up on August 17. I think she liked them all. After some extensive conversation, Margo went off to do some work and buy groceries, while Alexandra and I left for Discovery Park, since it was such a cloudless day. Discovery Park lies on 534 acres, and is the largest park in Seattle. It lies on Magnolia Bluff, overlooking Puget Sound, and from its vantage point are spectacular views of the Cascade and Olympic Mointain ranges. There are two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadowlands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, sand dunes, thickets, and streams. Alexandra and I did an approximately 2-mile walk through forest groves to the beach, talking all the while, catching up on each other's lives, speaking of future trips together (Canada and Alaska definitely at the forefront) and fantasizing how fun it would be to live in adjoining duplexes in the future. Who knows? Returning from the park, we stopped by the grocery store to pick up some Washington cherries as well as some currants and some flavored waters. As Alexandra had mentioned needing a TV several times, I asked her to check Target's website for specials, and she found a nice flat screen TV within my price range. We went to Target and found it, and it was the last one in the store. While there, she picked up a vacuum cleaner as well, a rather prominent item on her list. So, after arriving home, Alexandra quite expertly set up the TV and even ordered up a movie (the latest James Bond movie called "Skyfall"); and then we sat down, had pizza and currants for dessert, and then proceeded to watch the film on her new 32" screen. Good show! In the midst of all these new impressions, I also met Alexandra's cat, Major Tom, who is quite a character and has warmed up to me considerably, sitting on my lap unbidden twice now. I am making progress!