A colorful afternoon in the emerald city

Where green meets the concrete infrastructure - the continuing amazement of this city shines as brightly as ever during a November day.

Nearly 60 degrees and we ventured out of the apartment for the first time in what seemed like days during these slow-occupation-ridden moments of my infant days out west.

House by house, and tree by tree, we make our way up and down the hills of our neighborhoods, Taiece and I do, until something fierce hit the stomach of my girlfriend's stomach. Oh yes, it was hunger.

Being vegetarian, and having a vast array of such choices to choose from, Taiece suggests a small, vegetarian Asian-fusion lunch break.

I was excited, as I always am to try something new. The menu was plentiful, and specially in season as we started out with a pumpkin spring roll treat. This little friend packed as much pepper per square millimeter as I think I've ever had in two bites of food. Click on the photo and see for yourself. Overall I give it a 6.5 out of 10 on my taste chart mainly because, well, I'm just not that into pumpkin as a food.

Across the table, Taiece sat with her bowl of spicy hell in a bowl. Apparently, it was actually some sort of mushroom, tofu, ginger, bamboo and whatever else, stirred into one nicely made blue dish. Again, my tongue's dislike for ginger causes me to give this dish a mere 4 out of 10, despite the tasty after-zing it offered.

I ordered what seemed to be a basic "sweet and sour" chicken dish that, in fact, turned out to be fake chicken, cha-chicken, tofu chicken, whatever you want to call it. This surprise was unique, but good. The overall dish was a 6 out of 10 rating in overall taste. I think it's safe for me to say my first experience could have been better.

Leaving with extremely heavy stomachs, we continued our trek westward to the soaring skyline. On the way were marvelous views of the Olympics, the Space Needle, and a couple glimpses of the shimmering Puget Sound.

To our ease, this westerly walk is all downhill. The photos you see is down Denny Way, and for us, the main drive to downtown and other neighborhoods. Downtown is actually to the hypothetical left of these two snapshots.



Take a stroll down this hill with me.

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Ah, yes, and to the right is our gym, which...we...really try to ..get to ...reg..u..larly.

Getting back on track.

Downtown Seattle is full of buildings. The buildings are full of people and merchandise. It is this merchandise, mainly, that Taiece likes. Though I know she likes all people too.
We bounced around to several stores, and a bathroom break before heading on our two-mile trek home. Oh, yes, all up hill, requiring much more energy than we had at this point.

But, and not surprising to anyone but perhaps those goofy, hairy caveman from that insurance commercial, there are coffee shops in this city- several on every block, actually.

This visit however would not be for coffee, as it being mid-afternoon after a spicy Asian lunch just didnt seem like the right combination. So we re-entered our neighborhood with a fresh Italian soda and a cup of water.

Say hello to Capitol Hill.

Closer to home is one of a couple grocery stores, a drug store, and even more residential greens.  One of the main strips of Capitol Hill is 15th Street, where you can also find the local Safeway grocer.

The rest of the stride home was exhausting. Out of breath, sore legs, and a continued thirst took over this expedition. I still, however, had time to raise my camera.

Not only does this city do it the right way when it comes to incorporating the environment, but there is also an always entertaining mix of art..everywhere.  This is a corner never of before related objects pressed into concrete sidewalk working as, for many years to come, a companionship.