This is a special break for us and I am going to update the blog everyday to diary our special trip.
Dec. 14 2011
这是我们到西雅图的第二天,也是我们正式开始旅行的日子。
It is the second day in Seattle, which is also the beginning of our trip.
早上我们大概九点坐上了西雅图的名叫Link的轻轨,开始了我们西雅图downtown之旅。这里的轻轨买票完全靠自己的自觉性,因为轻轨站里是没有专门的刷票机去检票的,行人只要直接上轻轨就好。当然,这里的人的素质非常高,每个人都自觉地买票,如果没有遇到检查就算,但是如果遇到乘务员抽查票,查到没有买,每人是要罚128美元的。当然我们很自觉的买了轻轨票。轻轨上人很少,很干净,很舒适,整个城市的节奏也并不是很快。自己就静静的坐在窗边,看着轻轨由南向北穿越整个城市,沿路都是绿树,还有独立的house,绿色草坪,伴有远方朦胧的天际,整个城市洋溢着异样幸福的气息。从一开始,我们三个就无可救药的爱上了这个城市。
We start our trip by taking the light rail—Link to downtown direction. It is funny that there is no machine to check rail tickets in the hall, instead, buying tickets or not depends on passengers themselves. But of course, it happens that the staff on the rail will check tickets sometimes, and for those who haven’t bought tickets, it will charge them for 128 dollars as a punishment. So definitely we buy our tickets in the beginning. On the rail, there are lots of vacant seats and very clean isles with cozy heat temperature. As for me, I am totally into the sightseeing outside window, which is full of lines of trees, dotted houses and beautiful grasses. Besides, the decoration of vague sky makes city more comfortable. And we just cannot help ourselves loving the city from the first morning.
We get off the rail at Chinatown-International District, planning to see those gorgeous and fantastic Chinatown which we have been in NY. But the Chinatown here is totally different from what we thought, because it is almost nobody on the street and there aren’t many shops open. Since it is the way it is, we decide to go to the Pike Market in which the first Starbucks locates. And we also have a good view of whole city when we are on the way. The streets in Seattle are actually kind of curved, and going there just like climbing some small hills, from the bottom to the top then to the bottom. Moreover, there are many tall buildings all the way. However, probably because of hazy sky, it makes us feel we are still in the morning even it is already afternoon though. Then with high mood and beautiful sceneries, we have crossed about seven avenues and more than ten streets. But it is not tired experience, instead, we enjoy the every moments walking in this city.
Later we arrive at the Pike Market which is a well-known public market with various goods. The seafood is popular here and as a result of that we have a luxury lunch at Authentic . The great Alaska Crab, a cup of wine, a bowl of shrimp soup and seafood bowl are the great dishes as ever for our lunch. The time we eat, the time we appreciate the sea view outside window and talk with good friends. We have to say, thank God for giving us so precious life.
后来我们在派克市场,逛了很久,进了很多小店,通过各种小物品,看到了美国精神和物质生活的变化,从久远年代的景点偶像到如今热播美剧的偶像,一幕幕在派克市场里呈现出了最好的博物馆状态。当然我们还看到elephant garlic,当地土生土长的大梨,还有巧克力味的意大利面,满足了极大的好奇心。
Then we shop at the Market which presents some interesting things, such as elephant garlic and chocolate pasta.
After a while, we go to the first Starbucks. It is small and even hasn’t seats in it, but it is the first looks like—simple but useful. It is such a miracle that the Starbucks spreads America everywhere at present just from such a small store.
Even it is cold walking outside, we still deiced to go to the waterfront. At there, we see the far distant iced mountain, the tall Space Needle and surrounding ships. Love the sea view, love the silence that comes from the sea, and love the city with the beautiful silence.
最后,我们从downtown走到了Seattle Center,到了太空塔下。但是,在有了站在帝国大厦最高处俯瞰纽约全景的经历后,我们对这样高大的建筑看全景似乎失去了应有的兴奋度,所以在塔下逗留了一会,我们决定就此结束今日的行程。那时,虽然才七点,但整座城市在五点时,已进入黑夜笼罩的状态。但,灯光下的西雅图,更显迷人。
In the end, we go to the Seattle Center, the place that holds Space Needle. But as a matter of fact, after we having viewed the 360-degree view of NY on the Empire Building, our curiosity have already went up to a higher level, so that we plan to be back to the hotel before going up. It is dark at that time but the city under lights is more charming.
今天的旅程,没有去纽约那样的繁忙劳累,没有去华盛顿那样惊醒动魄,也没有去波士顿那样的悠哉徜徉。今日的行程,有了那份我们曾去奥尔良的感觉--稍许的忙碌,适当的漫步,和发自肺腑的喜爱度。或许,有水的城市,给予了我们这份特殊的别致吧。
The trip today is neither tired as NY Trip, nor adventurous as DC Trip. Actually the comfortable feeling today reminds us of New Orleans Trip, which is a trip in deed—walking, appreciating, photographing, enjoying and feeling—rather than a task. Maybe the connection of water makes them similar.
现在我们三人在酒店里,回味着今天这一切,脸上依然带有幸福的笑容。因为,我们知道,我们由衷的,喜欢上了,西雅图,无论白天,还是黑夜。
Now we are in the hotel and still sincerely happy about trip today. We all know, we just love Seattle without any reasonable reasons. Good night--Seattle.
作者: 杨熙 / Author: Joy Yang