Seattle, Washington

I had promised some pictures of Seattle for a long time. Last time I was there I finally brought a camera. But I was busy, the weather wasn't good and so I just took a few pictures from my hotel room balcony and down at the Pike Place market. I'll try to do better next time I go there (August)

View from my room of Seattle's latest (and for the time being last) luxusyr condo building. Escala "we will not lower prices" The picture below makes it clear that the building is at best half filled and yes, prices have been seriously reduced.

Esacala at night

View of Puget sound from my hotel hotel

The famous historical Pike Place market

Today this is THE touristenattraction, a few years ago the street in front was the domaine of crooks, street people and hookers. The two sex shops below is all that is left of that particular tourist attraction

The picture below shows Mt Rainier as a little white mound. The mountain is about 90 miles south of Seattle and not always visible. But when it is ... The locals simply say "the mountain is out" and everyone knows which mountain they are talking about. Usually it is hidden behind clouds, but that day it just popped up and I had to take the picture. I'll try for a better picture some other time.

The grassy knoll below (not the one in Dallas!) is usually under the frim control of the street people, but when I was there they had just been chased off by the cops to give the tourists a fair chance. In the background, behind the cranes and the football and baseball stadiums is the mountain.

A view of puget sound from Cutter's restaurant In front a Japanese trainings ship, in the background a ferry is coming in.

Three ferries in formation. Actually, one is coming in, one is leaving and the little one in the background was practicing lowering liferafts, etc. Between Seattle and the Pacific is the Olympic peninsula and quite a few islands. Consquently Seattle has a busy ferry schedule. Hint for tourists: Never get in the way of a local "ferry warrior" who is on his way home. Do EXACTLY what the ferry personnel tells you to do or you may swim across the sound!